US embassy cable - 05ROME3226

C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 003226 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
DEPT FOR NEA, EUR/WE AND S/I 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/26/2015 
TAGS: PREL, MOPS, PGOV, IZ, IT, IRAQI FREEDOM 
SUBJECT: IRAQ:  ITALY REASSURES IT WILL NOT CUT AND RUN 
 
REF: SEPTEMBER 21 ROME DAILY REPORT 
 
Classified By: Pol-Mil Counselor Jonathan Cohen for Reasons 1.4 (b) and 
 (d) 
 
1. (C) Summary.  Italian MFA officials, commenting on the 
recent visit to Rome by Dhi Qar province Governor Aziz Kadum 
Aluan Al Aghely, insist that Italy has no intention of 
withdrawing more troops from Iraq in the near future.  As 
conditions permit, however, they do envision a progressive 
withdrawal. End summary. 
 
2. (C) PolOffs spoke with Gianni Bardini, MFA NATO Office 
Director, on September 21,  regarding statements made by Dhi 
Qar province Governor Aziz Kadum Aluan Al Aghely during his 
September 20 official visit to Rome regarding Italian troop 
withdrawals (Ref A).  Bardini said Italy had no intention of 
additional troops in the near future.  The recent withdrawal 
of 300 troops had been possible because it had no effect on 
Italy's operational ability to carry out its mission in Iraq. 
 Further withdrawals would only occur as the security 
conditions on the ground permit, he said, and in consultation 
with coalition partners and the Iraqi government.  He said 
the Italian government was taken by surprise by the 
Governor's assertion that Italy could carry out additional 
withdrawals by year's end. 
 
3. (C) PolOff also discussed Al Aghely's comments with MFA 
Iraq Task Force Director Luigi Maccotta on September 26. 
Maccotta echoed Bardini's comments, noting that Al Aghely's 
private remarks to MFA officials were in complete harmony 
with Italy's position on troop withdrawals as well as that of 
the coalition partners:  immediate troop reductions are 
impossible, as exiting now would only lead to chaos.  Italy 
will not "cut and run," Maccotta stressed. However, as the 
Iraqis build up their own security forces, a progressive 
withdrawal will be possible.  For the time being, however, 
Maccotta said, Al Aghely asked Italy to keep its troops in 
Iraq. 
 
SPOGLI 
 
 
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	2005ROME03226 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL