US embassy cable - 05ROME3957

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ROME 003957 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NSC FOR AHARRIMAN, KAMEND 
DEPT FOR SA/FO, AMBASSADOR QUINN, SA/PAB, S/CT, SA/A 
CENTCOM FOR POLAD 
STATE PASS USAID/W 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/01/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PTER, PINR, AF, IT, AFGHANISTAN 
SUBJECT: ITALY WANTS BROADER ROLE IN AFGHANISTAN 
 
REF: STATE 211164 
 
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Anna Borg, reasons 1.4 (b) and ( 
d). 
 
1. (C) Summary.  MFA Director General for Asia Claudio 
Pacifico told the DCM on November 29 that Italy wants to play 
a larger role in Afghanistan and made an appeal for closer 
cooperation on policy with the U.S.  He noted that the GOI 
was reassessing its participation in Afghanistan with an eye 
toward improving Italy's record on judicial reform efforts, 
and looking for another project after Italy gives up the ISAF 
command.  On the upcoming Kabul conference, Pacifico noted 
that Italy plans to send a sizable delegation to the RECC as 
a signal of their support and interest. End summary. 
 
2. (C) During the DCM's courtesy call on Claudio Pacifico, 
the MFA's Director General (A/S equivalent) for Asia and the 
Pacific, Pacifico noted that Italy is undergoing an internal 
review of its cooperation efforts in Afghanistan and would 
like to discuss the future of ISAF with US officials.  He 
plans a trip to Washington, perhaps early next year, and 
would welcome meetings with Ambassador Maureen Quinn and 
others. 
 
3. (C) Pacifico acknowledged that Italy needs to do more on 
Afghan judicial reform, saying that the GOI is trying to 
fine-tune its approach and focus on achievable goals.  To 
date Italy's efforts have been a bit disjointed, he said, 
because the GOI tried to maintain a multi-track process 
(i.e., build jails, train new judges, and establish legal 
codes).  He hinted that part of the solution may be closer 
cooperation with similar US efforts.  His understanding was 
that the USG has spent about USD 50-60 million on judicial 
reform in Afghanistan and suggested enhanced US-Italy 
coordination on the ground.  There is room for improvement, 
he noted, and Italy would like to take the first step. 
 
4. (C) Pacifico would also like to discuss with US 
counterparts the future of ISAF and the possibility that 
Italy could lead another Provincial Reconstruction Team in 
Farah after its ISAF command rotation is up.  He said that it 
is Italy's understanding that the U.S. at one time was 
interested in Italian leadership of the Farah PRT, but now 
appears to have changed its mind.  Pacifico acknowledged that 
the Farah area is more difficult than Herat, but Italy 
remains interested.  He noted, however, that Italy does not 
want to make the Farah PRT a purely military endeavor. 
 
5. (C) Pacifico raised the issue of NATO's Senior Civilian 
Representative (SCR) in Afghanistan.  He noted that the 
current Turkish SCR would like to step down after a awhile, 
perhaps six months or more, and Italy plans to make a pitch 
for the job.  Italy wants the job, Pacifico argued, because 
it is committed in Afghanistan and does not hold a similar 
significant international post.  He scoffed at the internal 
networking that yielded a Canadian candidate (note: probably 
Christopher Alexander), who then went on to take another 
international post.  If NATO wants to consolidate its role in 
Afghanistan, Pacifico argued, it needs a proper SCR. 
 
6. (C) The DCM took the opportunity to brief Pacifico on the 
upcoming Kabul conference using Reftel talking points. 
Pacifico confirmed that the delegation would be led by 
Italy's Special Envoy to Afghanistan Anna Della Croce, and 
would include members of the MFA's Cooperation and 
Development Office.  In closing, Pacifico noted that U/S 
Boniver was interested in visiting Kabul to participate in 
the ceremonies to inaugurate the new Afghan parliament 
on/about December 18, but now it appears that a ceremony is 
no longer in the works.  She may still participate if such a 
ceremony is organized. 
SPOGLI