US embassy cable - 05ROME3781

S E C R E T ROME 003781 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NOFORN 
 
STATE FOR EB/ESC/TFS:DBROWN, S/CT:TKUSHNER, 
IO/PSC:BFITZGERALD, EUR/PGI:LREASOR, EUR/ERA:KSHEARER, 
EUR/WE:AYOUNG 
NSC FOR JZARATE 
TREASURY FOR ASZUBIN, DGLASER 
OFAC FOR RWERNER, PLURIE, JYANG 
DOJ FOR FEDERAL PROGRAMS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/10/2015 
TAGS: EFIN, IT, KTFN, PGOV, PREL, PTER, ANTITERRORISM/FORCE PROTECTION 
SUBJECT: TERRORISM FINANCE: ITALIAN NAMES AND INFORMATION 
REQUEST ON NASREDDIN 
 
REF: A. STATE 204986 
 
     B. ROME 3479 
     C. STATE 141748 
     D. ROME 2377 
 
Classified By: DCM ANNA BORG BASED ON E.O.12958 REASONS 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
INTRODUCTION 
------------ 
 
1. (S/NF) This message provides Embassy Rome's reply to the 
NSC request for Italian names (Ref A), including radical 
Milan-based clerics, such as Abu Amad.  We should note that 
we would likely enhance cooperation with key Italian 
officials if we could provide Milan prosecutor with 
information linking Ahmed Idris Nasreddin to terrorism 
finance (TF). 
 
EMBASSY ROME SUPPORTS DESIGNATION, WITH AN IMPORTANT CAVEATS 
--------------------------------------------- --------------- 
 
2. (S/NF) Embassy Rome fully supports the designation under 
UNSC 1617 of individuals deported from Italy under its new 
terrorism laws, such as Bouchta Bouriki, Moroccan, deported 
in September 2005 -- assuming a case of legal sufficiency can 
be made.  Giuseppe Maresca, Finance Ministry Director for the 
Office for Financial Crimes, told A/ECMIN and A/ECOUNS that 
Italy would not object to designating deportees tied to 
terrorism; however, he said Italy is not/not considering 
submitting their names for designation at this time. 
 
3. (S/NF) As a first proviso, Embassy Rome supports 
designation of Milan-based extremists, such as Abu Imad, if 
the Embassy can first approach, and receive assurances from, 
the Italian Financial Security Committee (FSC) that the 
designation would not disrupt an active investigation.  The 
FSC would pass our request ultimately to the Milan magistrate 
investing terrorism cases (Magistrate Luigi Orsi). 
 
4. (S/NF) As a second proviso, prior to taking the case of 
any Milan-based cleric to the UNSC, the Embassy would also 
strongly urge Washington agencies to respond first to the 
unanswered request by the Milan prosecutor's office, 
transmitted in July, for information (Ref. C, D). 
 
THE ITALIAN CASE AGAINST NASREDDIN LACKS EVIDENCE. 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
5. (S/NF) Separately, on the designation of Nasreddin, Milan 
magistrate Orsi, also investigating Nasreddin's ties to 
terrorism finance, has indicated that Italian-sourced 
information would not support a case against Nasreddin.  The 
Head of Italy's Financial Security Committee, Finance 
Ministry DG Vittorio Grilli, requested unofficially during a 
September 28 conversation with Treasury U/S Levey that the 
USG provide any derogatory information applicable for use in 
an Italian legal proceeding linking Nasreddin to financing 
terrorism (Ref B).  Working-level Finance Ministry contacts 
had previously made the same request (Ref D). 
 
6. (S/NF) Since Magistrate Orsi will also be the person who 
responds to the Financial Security Committee's query on our 
behalf (para. 3 above) about whether a proposed U.S. 
designation would interfere with an ongoing investigation, it 
would be in our own interest to be more responsive to his 
request for more information (para. 4 above). 
SPOGLI