ITALIAN RESPONSE OF GOVERNMENT-LEVEL CONSULTATIONS

UNCLAS ROME 003034

SIPDIS

OSTP FOR BRETT ALEXANDER, NASA FOR JOHN SCHUMACHER, PARIS
FOR NASA/FELDSTEIN
UNCLASSIFIED

PAGE 02 ROME 03034 201519Z

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KTIA TSPA IT AVIATION
SUBJECT: ITALIAN RESPONSE OF GOVERNMENT-LEVEL CONSULTATIONS
ON THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION PROGRAM

REF: STATE 104344


1. MISSION DISCUSSED REFTEL TALKING POINTS WITH COUNSELOR
GUICCIARDI OF THE ITALIAN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION. ALTHOUGH GUICCIARDI
DEMONSTRATED A GENERAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE EUROPEAN
PARTNER'S REQUEST FOR A GOVERNMENT-LEVEL MEETING IN THE
UNITED STATES ON THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION (ISS),HE
CLAIMED THAT THE ISSUE IS BEING HANDLED ENTIRELY BY THE
ITALIAN EMBASSY IN WASHINGTON. THEREFORE, ALL INQUIRIES
REGARDING THE TIMING OF SUCH A MEETING SHOULD BE PRESENTED TO
THE ITALIAN EMBASSY OR TO THE GERMAN AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED
STATES, WHO IS ACTING AS THE COORDINATOR FOR THE MEMBERS OF
THE EUROPEAN PARTNER GROUP. AS A COURTESY, ESTOFFS ALSO
BRIEFED PROFESSOR SERGIO VETRELLA, PRESIDENT OF THE ITALIAN
SPACE AGENCY (ASI) DURING A MEETING ON JUNE 6, 2002.
VETRELLA DECLARED HIS BELIEF THAT THE PROPOSED MEETING WOULD
BE A "WASTE OF TIME" SINCE HE PERCEIVES THAT THE POLITICAL
CLIMATE IN THE UNITED STATES WOULD PREVENT ANY REAL MOVEMENT
ON THE ISSUE OF ISS FINANCING.
SEMBLER

UNCLASSIFIED

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2002ROME03034 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED