US embassy cable - 05ROME2997

C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 002997 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
DEPT. FOR P, EUR/SCE, EUR/ERA, EUR/WE 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/08/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, BK, IT, PRELB, EUNJ 
SUBJECT: BOSNIA: ITALY TO PUSH MIRACHIAN CANDIDACY FOR OHR 
ON MARGINS OF UNGA; BELIEVES DUTCH CANDIDATE UNSUITABLE 
 
REF: ROME 1966 
 
Classified By: CLASSIFIED BY DCM ANNA BORG, REASONS 1.4 B AND D. 
 
1. (C) In DCM's introductory call on Italian MFA Political 
Director Terzi, Terzi made a strong pitch for the U.S. to 
support senior Italian diplomat Laura Mirachian to replace 
Paddy Ashdown as High Rep in Bosnia-Herzegovina.  Terzi said 
the Italians learned on Sept. 8 that The Netherlands was 
proposing Ashdown be replaced by a former Dutch NATO PermRep 
who had also had a career as a politician.  Terzi complained 
that the Dutch individual, whom he did not name, was not well 
known in Europe and had no direct Balkan experience. 
 
2.  (C) Terzi underscored that Mirachian (a former Amb. to 
Syria and DAS-equivalent for the Balkans) was well-known and 
respected at high levels in all European capitals and argued 
that no Italian has yet held a senior international position 
in the Balkans.  This, he continued, was the case despite 
Italian vital interests being at stake in the Balkans due to 
Italy's proximity, and despite Itay making a significant 
contribution to Balkan development, security and stability. 
He mentioned immigration, smuggling and the drug trade as 
areas where Balkan developments directly impact Italy, and 
reminded us that with 4,000 troops in the region, Italy is 
today the largest European troop contributor to peacekeeping 
missions in the Balkans. 
 
3. (C) The low-key Terzi became animated when he raised 
Marichian's candidacy, and said that FM Fini and other senior 
Italian officials were taking the challenge of a Dutch 
candidate, who the Italians consider unsuitable as a serious 
problem.  He suggested this was likely to come up during 
Italian meetings with U.S. officials on the margins of the 
UNGA next week. 
SPOGLI 
 
 
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	2005ROME02997 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL