US embassy cable - 05ROME2937

C O N F I D E N T I A L  ROME 002937 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
DEPT FOR NEA, EUR/WE AND S/I 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/01/2015 
TAGS: PREL, MOPS, PGOV, IZ, IT, IRAQI FREEDOM 
SUBJECT: IRAQ:  ITALY REMAINS COMMITTED ON ALL FRONTS, BUT 
CONCERNED ABOUT POLITICAL PROCESS 
 
REF: A. STATE 158420 
 
     B. ROME 2885 
     C. ROME 2349 
     D. ROME 2348 
     E. ROME 1484 
     F. ROME 902 
     G. ROME 1635 
 
Classified By: DCM Anna Borg for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
1. (C) Summary.  Though Italian leaders publicly praised the 
signing of the new Iraqi constitution (Ref B), MFA officials 
privately told us they have deep cause for concern, 
especially regarding what they perceive as the lack of 
inclusiveness of all ethnic groups in the political process. 
However, Italy remains firmly committed on all fronts: 
militarily, politically, and economically.  MFA officials are 
contemplating new reconstruction strategies aimed at 
promoting national reconciliation and requested more 
consultations with US officials to brainstorm on the way 
ahead, with UNGA presenting a possible first opportunity. 
End summary. 
 
2. (C) DCM and PolOff delivered Ref A demarche to MFA 
Director General for the Mediterranean and Middle East 
Riccardo Sessa and Iraq Task Force Director Luigi Maccotta on 
September 1.  Describing the situation in Iraq as "one of the 
worst" in the region, Sessa distinguished between public 
comments and reality.  At the public level, he said, it was 
necessary to hail the draft constitution as an historic 
achievement and a success story.  Privately, however, he 
said, we must be realistic and admit that the results so far 
are not totally satisfactory.  Sessa cited the lack of unity 
among ethnic groups -- the "inclusiveness factor" -- as the 
main challenge facing Iraq.  Maccotta agreed, saying that 
although Italy hoped the political timetable laid out by the 
TAL would work, it was now clear that it might not, and the 
focus now should be on preserving the political process -- 
which he thought was more important than any focus on 
specific dates.  To do this, we need to help create a 
"national reconciliation," he said, by encouraging more 
dialogue among Iraqis. 
 
3. (C) Noting that Italy had supported the military 
intervention against Saddam Hussein, then provided troops for 
peacekeeping purposes immediately after the hostilities 
ended, and today is the third largest contingent in Iraq, 
Sessa said Italy needs a success story to show its highly 
skeptical public that helping the Iraqis was the right 
decision.  To make that success story happen, he said, we 
need to enter into a new phase of Iraq reconstruction aimed 
at building a national identity.  One idea might be to hold 
informal gatherings of representatives from different groups, 
though he admitted this would be easier said than done.  He 
added that FM Zebari, during his recent visit to Italy, was 
fairly positive about the constitution but very critical of 
the Sunni component, which he said lacked unified leadership 
and good leaders. 
 
4. (C) Sessa said the three main coalition partners (US, UK, 
and Italy) need to engage in deep consultations on a strategy 
to help build this national reconciliation. Noting the 
usefulness of past discussions with former Senior Advisor and 
Iraq Policy Coordinator Ambassador Richard Jones (Refs C, D, 
E), Maccotta said that longer and more frequent consultations 
would be useful.  He suggested a "closed door brainstorming" 
session with new S/I Jeffrey to discuss the way ahead. 
Meanwhile, Italy is doing its part to assist with the 
reconstruction process, Sessa said, and will soon host two 
two-week training sessions, one for spokespersons from 
various Iraqi ministries, and one for women in civil society. 
 
 
5. (C) Sessa also reconfirmed Italy's troop commitment in 
Iraq, saying, "leaving Iraq now would be leaving it in 
chaos." He added that Iraqi FM Zebari had stressed privately 
to FM Fini that sending the wrong public message on troop 
withdrawals or reconfiguration of contingents only helps the 
insurgents.  (Note. At the September 1 NATO KFOR change of 
command ceremony in Pristina, Defense Minister Martino did 
speak of reconfiguration, confirming that the expected 
withdrawal of 300 troops announced by PM Berlusconi last 
March (Refs F and G) had already started, but stressed that 
the increased Iraqi security capabilities made it possible 
 
 
for the Italians to continue performing their mission with 
fewer troops.  Martino also criticized opposition leader 
Prodi's comments as irresponsible for calling Italy's troops 
occupation forces and calling for their immediate withdrawal. 
 End note.) 
 
SPOGLI 
 
 
NNNN 
 2005ROME02937 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL