US embassy cable - 05ROME2938

UNCLAS ROME 002938 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: AEMR, EAID, PREL, US, IT, AVIATION 
SUBJECT: TFUS01: PRIORITY AREAS LIST DELIVERED; ITALY HOPES 
TO PROCEED WITH RELIEF FLIGHTS SEPT 4 
 
REF: A. STATE 163366 
 
     B. STATE 163207 
     C. ROME 2925 
 
1. Embassy delivered ref A points on USG priorities to 
Agostino Miozzo, Katrina relief coordinator for the GOI's 
Department of Civil Protection.  Ambassador Spogli personally 
thanked Prime Minister Berlusconi September 2 for Italy's 
offer of assistance.  The Embassy also issued a press release 
September 2 recognizing the Italian offer and expressing U.S. 
appreciation. 
 
2. Miozzo phoned Econoff the morning of September 4 to convey 
that the GOI had received word via its Embassy in Washington 
that the USG would accept Italy's offer to airlift relief 
supplies.  Miozzo said the Italian Embassy was in direct 
contact with FEMA regarding the flights.  The GOI has two 
C-130 aircraft loaded and ready to go as early as the 
afternoon of September 4.  Italy, Miozzo added, will also 
send a "Falcon" jet with some experts to coordinate the 
delivery.  Altogether, the GOI expects to send 10 experts 
along with the aid delivery. 
 
3. Miozzo stated that the GOI is still awaiting word on what 
airport the supplies should be flown into.  Econoff said the 
Embassy had not received any information on this question and 
that such guidance would most likely be transmitted directly 
from FEMA via the Italian Embassy in Washington. 
 
4. Miozzo also asked about visa requirements for the 10 
Italians, some of whom have official passports, while others 
have private ones.  Econoff, drawing on Ref B guidance, 
informed Miozzo that the USG was waiving visa requirements 
for officials traveling to the U.S. in connection with 
hurricane relief operations.  (Note: Italy is a visa waiver 
country.  End note.)  Miozzo will email Embassy with name, 
dob, ppt#, etc. of the Italian team.  Embassy will transmit 
this information to the task force septel. 
SPOGLI 
 
 
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 2005ROME02938 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED