US embassy cable - 05ROME2835

UNCLAS  ROME 002835 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR, PM, AF 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: MOPS, PARM, PREL, XY, IT, NATO 
SUBJECT: ITALIAN MFA REQUESTS USG ASSISTANCE IN 
FACILITATING EXCHANGE OF DIPLOMATIC NOTES FOR PARTICIPATION 
IN US-LED MILITARY EXERCISE IN AFRICA 
 
REF: A. IIR 6 850 0389 05 
 
     B. IIR 6 850 0184 05 
 
1. (U) This is an action request.  Please see paragraph 7. 
 
2. (SBU) Summary.  To ensure Italian participation in an 
upcoming U.S.-led military exercise in West Africa, the 
Italian MFA has asked for USG assistance in paving the way 
for Italy to conclude bilateral status of forces-type 
agreements with the five host countries involved.  In 
addition to the benefits that will be accrued by the African 
participants, MFA and MOD officials view the exercise as an 
excellent opportunity for joint training with U.S. troops and 
for improving cooperation between their own forces.  End 
summary. 
 
3. (U) At the MFA's request, Pol-Mil Officer and Air Attache 
attended an August 24 meeting at the MFA to discuss Italy's 
participation in the West African Training Cruise exercise 
scheduled to begin October 1.  (See paragraph 6 for 
background information.)  Italian participants in the meeting 
included MFA NATO Office Director Giovanni Brauzzi, NATO Desk 
Officer Pier Mario Dacco, J-3 Officer Captain Giovanni 
Gumiero and Dr. Beatrice Macchia from the Italian Defense 
General Staff, and Luigi Scotto and Stefano Mauri from the 
MFA's Africa bureau. 
 
4. (SBU) The purpose of the meeting was to discuss expediting 
Italian status of forces-type agreements with the African 
host countries.  The Italians have prepared diplomatic notes 
that are very similar to those used by the U.S. (copy of 
Italian draft faxed to EUR/WE) but that will be limited to 
the time that Italian forces will be in each country.  The 
Italians are concerned, however, that the host governments 
will not conclude these exchanges in a timely manner.  (Note. 
Italian forces are scheduled to depart Naples on October 1. 
End note.)  The Italians therefore requested that the U.S. 
Embassies in Abuja, Accra, Conakry, Dakar, and Rabat help 
facilitate these agreements by explaining to local 
authorities that the Italian forces will be participating in 
a U.S.-led military training exercise.  According to the MFA, 
this will avoid having Italy "start from scratch" in 
concluding their bilateral agreement with each country. 
 
5. (U) For its part, the MFA will alert its Embassy in 
Washington to this issue as well as the relevant African 
Embassies in Rome.  After coordinating with the U.S. Embassy 
in each African host country, the respective Italian 
Embassies will then contact the local authorities to begin 
the bilateral exchange of diplomatic notes.  (Note. Italy's 
situation is complicated by the fact that it does not have a 
diplomatic mission in Guinea.  Italy's Embassy in Dakar will 
handle the exchange of notes with Conakry.  Furthermore, 
Italy's Military Attache in Morocco is responsible for 
Senegal, and Italy has no Defense Attaches in Guinea or 
Ghana.  End note.) 
 
Background 
 
6. (U) The WATC exercise is a MARFOREUR/NAVEUR-sponsored 
amphibious exercise that will take place from 
October-December 2005 designed to increase the tactical and 
operational capabilities of multiple West African and Gulf of 
Guinea nations' amphibious forces.  Exercises will be held in 
Ghana, Guinea, Morocco, Nigeria, and Senegal with the 
participation of local military forces.  An invitation was 
extended to Italy to participate by U.S. Marine Corps Forces 
Europe in February.  Italy plans to send 63 personnel from 
the army's Serennissima regiment and the navy's San Marco 
regiment.  The Italians view this exercise as an excellent 
opportunity not only for bilateral training with U.S. and 
other troops, but also for improved cooperation between its 
own forces.  (Note.  This will be the first time the 
Serennissima and San Marco forces participate together in an 
amphibious training exercise. End note.)  Spanish forces also 
will participate in the exercise.  In addition, the Italian, 
Spanish, and U.S. forces participating in WATC also will take 
 
part in the UK-led exercise Green Osprey in Senegal.  The 
Netherlands and Norway will also participate in this exercise. 
 
7. (SBU) Action requested.  Post requests that Department ask 
Embassies Abuja, Accra, Conakry, Dakar, and Rabat, after 
discussing with their Italian counterparts, where possible, 
to contact the appropriate host government officials to 
notify them of the forthcoming Italian request for an 
exchange of diplomatic notes, to explain that these 
agreements are to allow Italian forces to participate in the 
US-led WATC exercise, and to request that the host 
governments expedite conclusion of the agreements. 
 
SPOGLI 
 
 
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 2005ROME02835 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED