US embassy cable - 05ROME3890

S E C R E T ROME 003890 
 
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 DGLASER 
OFAC FOR RWERNER, PLURIE, JYANG 
DOJ FOR FEDERAL PROGRAMS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/23/2015 
TAGS: EFIN, ETTC, IT, KTFN, PREL, PTER, ANTITERRORISM/FORCE PROTECTION 
SUBJECT: TERRORIST FINANCE: ABU SSAYYAF GROUP 
PRENOTIFICATION AND HOTEL NASCO 
 
REF: A. STATE 210832 
 
     B. ROME 03287 
 
Classified By: DCM ANNA BORG BASED ON E.O. 12958 REASONS 1.4 B AND D 
 
1.  (S/NF) A/ECCOUNS and ECONOFF delivered November 23 Abu 
Sayyaf Group (ASG) prenotification (ref A) to Cristina 
Collura, Director, Prevention of Financial Crimes, Ministry 
of Finance (MOF), and to Giampolo Cantini, MFA Office 
Director for G8 and Global Issues.  Both MOF and MFA 
officials said they would share the information with 
appropriate Italian law enforcement, intelligence, and 
financial oversight entities.  Cantini said he did not expect 
much information to be forthcoming on the three ASG names. 
 
 
2.  (S/NF) Both Collura and Cantini brought up recent 
miscommunication on Italy's UNSC 1267 notification on Hotel 
Nasco (reftel B) and the embarrassment caused to Italy at the 
United Nations.  Cantini said the miscues on Hotel Nasco, 
coming on the heals of the U.S. problems providing a timely 
response to Italy's July prenotification "concerned and 
disappointed" Italy.  He said Italy takes the United Nations 
very seriously, and any "loss of public face" at the UN is 
deeply embarrassing.  He informed A/ECCOUNS that Italy must 
consider suspending submission to the 1267 Committee of the 
two lists Italy was preparing; as things currently stand, he 
said, "there is no point." He suggested that Italy and the 
United States review procedures for pre-notifications and 
indicated that in the future Italy may require a letter of 
support from the United States before submitting additional 
names to the 1267 Committee. 
 
3.  (S/NF) A/ECCOUNS responded that the United States also 
takes the UN very seriously and precisely for that reason 
must weigh carefully a precedent-setting proposal, such as 
that of Italy on Hotel Nasco.  A/ECCOUNS said the United 
States highly values Italy as a partner in combating 
terrorism, and acknowledged that the two recent miscues 
suggested room for smoother coordination.  He suggested that 
Embassy Rome could host a video conference with MFA and MOF 
officials and their counterparts in Washington to improve 
communication flow.  Cantini agreed that a DVC would be 
helpful. 
SPOGLI