Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03ROME1134
2003-03-19 13:41:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Rome
Cable title:
INTERIOR MINISTER ADVOCATES FORMAL RELATIONSHIP
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ROME 001134
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR EUR/WE AND DRL/IRF
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PGOV IT ITPHUM
SUBJECT: INTERIOR MINISTER ADVOCATES FORMAL RELATIONSHIP
WITH ISLAM IN ITALY
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ROME 001134
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR EUR/WE AND DRL/IRF
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PGOV IT ITPHUM
SUBJECT: INTERIOR MINISTER ADVOCATES FORMAL RELATIONSHIP
WITH ISLAM IN ITALY
1. NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION.
2. (SBU) IN THE PAST MONTH, BOTH INTERIOR MINISTER PISANU
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 ROME 01134 01 OF 02 191345Z
AND SENATE PRESIDENT PERA PUBLICLY HAVE URGED ACCELERATED
NEGOTIATION OF A STATE ACCORD WITH ITALY'S GROWING ISLAMIC
COMMUNITY. THE CALLS ELICITED FAVORABLE PRESS COVERAGE AND
MODEST PROTESTS FROM THE GENERALLY ANTI-IMMIGRANT NORTHERN
LEAGUE (PART OF PM BERLUSCONI'S GOVERNING COALITION). THE
RECENT SPEECHES ARE ENCOURAGING AND MAY PRESAGE A RENEWED
GOVERNMENT PUSH TO CONCLUDE AN ACCORD. THEY DO LITTLE,
THOUGH, TO ADDRESS THE PRINCIPAL OBSTACLE TO AN ACCORD - THE
LACK OF CONSENSUS WITHIN ITALY'S COLLECTION OF FRACTIOUS
ISLAMIC COMMUNITIES.
3. (U) FORMAL STATE ACCORDS (CALLED "INTESE") WERE
CONCEIVED TO PROVIDE MINORITY FAITHS TREATMENT EQUAL TO THAT
ENJOYED BY THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. (ITALY PROVIDES FINANCIAL
SUPPORT TO THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, PARTLY AS
COMPENSATION FOR EXPROPRIATED PROPERTY, UNDER THE 1929
LATERAN ACCORDS RESOLVING THE DIPLOMATIC AND LEGAL
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CHURCH AND STATE FOLLOWING CREATION
OF THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC). THE ACCORDS PROVIDE MODEST
FINANCIAL BENEFITS AND HELP SMOOTH ADMINISTRATIVE DEALINGS
WITH THE OFTEN LABYRINTHINE ITALIAN BUREAUCRACIES BY
NORMALIZING SUCH MATTERS AS A FAITH'S REPRESENTATION IN
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS SUCH AS PRISONS AND HOSPITALS AND ITS
LEGAL CHARACTER WITH RESPECT TO PROPERTY. SINCE THE
PROVISION'S INCEPTION, SIX FAITHS HAVE CONCLUDED FORMAL
AGREEMENTS; TWO OTHERS AWAIT PARLIAMENTARY RATIFICATION. AN
ACCORD IS NOT REQUIRED FOR FAITHS TO WORSHIP IN ITALY.
INDEED, ITALY'S MUSLIM COMMUNITIES HAVE BEEN WORSHIPPING
FREELY IN OVER 200 MOSQUES AND PRAYER CENTERS.
4. (SBU) WITHIN THE SPACE OF THREE WEEKS, BOTH PISANU AND
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 ROME 01134 01 OF 02 191345Z
PERA FOUND PUBLIC PLATFORMS TO ADVOCATE RAPID CONCLUSION OF
AN ACCORD WITH THE ISLAMIC FAITH. THEIR MOTIVE IS A FAIRLY
CLEAR, SIMPLE ONE: SOCIAL PEACE. MAINSTREAM ITALIANS HAVE
BEEN RATTLED BY THE PERIODIC DISCOVERY OF RADICAL ISLAMIST
TERRORIST CELLS. COUPLED WITH PERCEPTIONS OF RAPIDLY
ESCALATING IMMIGRATION, MUCH OF IT FROM ISLAMIC COUNTRIES,
THESE TERROR PLOTS HAVE LEFT COMMENTATORS, POLITICIANS AND
MANY CITIZENS ALARMED OVER THE DEVELOPMENT OF PARALLEL MINI-
SOCIETIES THAT SHARE FEW OF ITALY'S COMMONLY ACCEPTED NORMS
AND VALUES. WHILE PLEASED WITH THE DISRUPTION AND ARREST OF
SUSPECTED ISLAMIC TERRORIST GROUPS IN ITALY, PISANU
REPORTEDLY VIEWS THOSE RESULTS AS SYMPTOMATIC OF A WORRYING
UNDERLYING PHENOMENON. IN WHAT APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN
UNCOORDINATED INITIATIVES, BOTH PISANU AND PERA DECIDED TO
PUSH A POSITIVE ALTERNATIVE TO THE REACTIONARY FEARMONGERING
ESPOUSED BY THE NORTHERN LEAGUE AND CULTURAL TRADITIONALISTS
OPPOSED TO A MORE MULTICULTURAL ITALY.
5. (U) DECLARING HIS SUPPORT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN
"ITALIAN ISLAM COMPATIBLE WITH OUR LAWS AND VALUES," PISANU
JANUARY 21 ANNOUNCED HE WAS READY TO SIT DOWN WITH THE
LEADERS OF MODERATE ISLAM IN ITALY TO CONCLUDE A FORMAL
ACCORD. MEANWHILE, THE STATE WOULD MEET ISLAMIC EXTREMISM
WITH ALL NECESSARY FIRMNESS. "THE MOSQUES MUST NOT BE
SOURCES OF POLITICAL PROPAGANDA OR, AS HAS HAPPENED,
TERRORIST FINANCING," PISANU ASSERTED. THREE WEEKS LATER,
SENATE PRESIDENT PERA ECHOED PISANU'S BROAD CALL, SAYING
THAT IT WAS TIME FOR AN ACCORD - PROVIDED ITALY'S MUSLIMS
RESPECTED RECIPROCALLY ITALIAN SOCIETY.
6. (SBU) THE REMARKS REFLECT INTER ALIA PISANU'S STRATEGY OF
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 04 ROME 01134 01 OF 02 191345Z
ENCOURAGING THE ASCENDANCY WITHIN ITALIAN MUSLIM COMMUNITIES
OF A TOLERANT, MODERATE FORM OF ISLAM COMPATIBLE WITH
ITALIAN LAW AND SOCIETAL NORMS. PISANU HAS SAID HE WOULD
LIKE TO DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS WITH A SMALL GROUP OF
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE FAITH WHO COULD HELP THE GOVERNMENT
UNDERSTAND THEIR COMMUNITIES, MANAGE PROBLEMS - AND, INTER
ALIA, IDENTIFY MORE RADICAL ELEMENTS. IF THIS DIALOGUE
PROVED SUCCESSFUL, THE GROUP COULD BECOME THE APPROPRIATE
COUNTERPART TO ESTABLISH A FRAMEWORK INTESA.
7. (SBU) IF PISANU'S REMARKS ARE INDICATIVE OF A NEW PUSH BY
THE BERLUSCONI GOVERNMENT TO CONCLUDE AN ACCORD WITH ITALIAN
MUSLIMS, THE INTERIOR MINISTER FACES A MAJOR CHALLENGE. THE
PRINCIPAL OBSTACLE TO AN AGREEMENT HASN'T BEEN THE LACK OF A
GOVERNMENT COMMITMENT; INTERIOR MINISTRY CONTACTS TELL US
THEY'VE HAD A DRAFT ACCORD READY FOR MONTHS. RATHER, IT'S
THE ABSENCE OF A REPRESENTATIVE GROUP WITH WHOM MINISTRY
OFFICIALS CAN NEGOTIATE. ISLAM IN ITALY IS, TO BORROW A
PHRASE FROM PISANU, AN "ARCHIPELAGO" OF RELIGIOUS
ASSOCIATIONS, IMMIGRANT GROUPS AND INDIVIDUAL PRAYER
CENTERS. MANY OF THESE GROUPS CLAIM TO REPRESENT THE BULK
OF THEIR CORELIGIONISTS AND, THEREFORE, TO BE THE
GOVERNMENT'S NATURAL INTERLOCUTOR.
8. (SBU) THIS MOSAIC OF ASSOCIATIONS, DRAWN FROM DIFFERENT
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED PTQ0622
PAGE 01 ROME 01134 02 OF 02 191345Z
ACTION EUR-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 CIAE-00 INL-00 DODE-00
SRPP-00 DS-00 EB-00 UTED-00 VC-00 TEDE-00 INR-00
IO-00 LAB-01 L-00 VCE-00 AC-01 NSAE-00 NSCE-00
OIC-02 OMB-01 DHS-00 OPIC-01 PA-00 PM-00 PRS-00
ACE-00 P-00 SCT-00 SP-00 STR-00 TEST-00 TRSE-00
USIE-00 PMB-00 DSCC-00 PRM-00 DRL-01 G-00 SAS-00
/007W
-------------- 46F6CB 191351Z /38
R 191341Z MAR 03
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 8806
INFO EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS SECTION 02 OF 02 ROME 001134
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR EUR/WE AND DRL/IRF
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PGOV IT ITPHUM
SUBJECT: INTERIOR MINISTER ADVOCATES FORMAL RELATIONSHIP
WITH ISLAM IN ITALY
CULTURES AND PHILOSOPHIES, AGREES ON LITTLE - INCLUDING THE
MAIN ELEMENTS OF A FORMAL ACCORD. RATHER THAN TRY TO SORT
OUT THEIR DIFFERENCES, THE MAJOR ISLAMIC ASSOCIATIONS ARE
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 ROME 01134 02 OF 02 191345Z
CONTENT TO SUGGEST THAT THE GOVERNMENT CONCLUDE MULTIPLE
ACCORDS WITH THE VARIOUS GROUPS (BEGINNING FIRST WITH THEIR
OWN, NATURALLY). IN THE MEANTIME, THEY POSTURE TO IMPROVE
THEIR RESPECTIVE CLAIM TO REPRESENT THE BULK OF ITALY'S
MUSLIMS IN THE EVENT THE GOVERNMENT HOLDS TO ITS CURRENT
POLICY OF NEGOTIATING A SINGLE AGREEMENT.
9. (SBU) COMMENT: PISANU'S AND PERA'S SPEECHES ULTIMATELY
MAY AMOUNT ONLY TO RHETORICAL OUTREACH. EVEN THE CONCLUSION
OF AN INTESE WOULD HAVE MORE SYMBOLIC THAN PRACTICAL IMPACT,
BUT THIS MODEST OUTCOME WOULD STILL REPRESENT AN IMPROVEMENT
IN THE WARY RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ITALIANS AND THE MAJORITY
OF MUSLIM IMMIGRANTS. THEIR REMARKS UNDERSCORE THE
GOVERNMENT'S POSITION THAT ITALY'S "MUSLIM ARCHIPELAGO" IS
POPULATED PRIMARILY BY REASONABLE PEOPLE WORTHY OF RESPECT
AND DIALOGUE. THAT MESSAGE PROVIDES AN IMPORTANT
COUNTERWEIGHT TO THE ALARMIST, REACTIONARY VIEWS OF THE
NORTHERN LEAGUE AND OTHERS FEARFUL OF THE EROSION OF
"TRADITIONAL" ITALIAN SOCIETY THAT, UNTIL NOW, HAVE TENDED
TO DOMINATE PUBLIC DISCOURSE ON THE SUBJECT.
SEMBLER
UNCLASSIFIED
>
2003ROME01134 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR EUR/WE AND DRL/IRF
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PGOV IT ITPHUM
SUBJECT: INTERIOR MINISTER ADVOCATES FORMAL RELATIONSHIP
WITH ISLAM IN ITALY
1. NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION.
2. (SBU) IN THE PAST MONTH, BOTH INTERIOR MINISTER PISANU
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 ROME 01134 01 OF 02 191345Z
AND SENATE PRESIDENT PERA PUBLICLY HAVE URGED ACCELERATED
NEGOTIATION OF A STATE ACCORD WITH ITALY'S GROWING ISLAMIC
COMMUNITY. THE CALLS ELICITED FAVORABLE PRESS COVERAGE AND
MODEST PROTESTS FROM THE GENERALLY ANTI-IMMIGRANT NORTHERN
LEAGUE (PART OF PM BERLUSCONI'S GOVERNING COALITION). THE
RECENT SPEECHES ARE ENCOURAGING AND MAY PRESAGE A RENEWED
GOVERNMENT PUSH TO CONCLUDE AN ACCORD. THEY DO LITTLE,
THOUGH, TO ADDRESS THE PRINCIPAL OBSTACLE TO AN ACCORD - THE
LACK OF CONSENSUS WITHIN ITALY'S COLLECTION OF FRACTIOUS
ISLAMIC COMMUNITIES.
3. (U) FORMAL STATE ACCORDS (CALLED "INTESE") WERE
CONCEIVED TO PROVIDE MINORITY FAITHS TREATMENT EQUAL TO THAT
ENJOYED BY THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. (ITALY PROVIDES FINANCIAL
SUPPORT TO THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, PARTLY AS
COMPENSATION FOR EXPROPRIATED PROPERTY, UNDER THE 1929
LATERAN ACCORDS RESOLVING THE DIPLOMATIC AND LEGAL
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CHURCH AND STATE FOLLOWING CREATION
OF THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC). THE ACCORDS PROVIDE MODEST
FINANCIAL BENEFITS AND HELP SMOOTH ADMINISTRATIVE DEALINGS
WITH THE OFTEN LABYRINTHINE ITALIAN BUREAUCRACIES BY
NORMALIZING SUCH MATTERS AS A FAITH'S REPRESENTATION IN
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS SUCH AS PRISONS AND HOSPITALS AND ITS
LEGAL CHARACTER WITH RESPECT TO PROPERTY. SINCE THE
PROVISION'S INCEPTION, SIX FAITHS HAVE CONCLUDED FORMAL
AGREEMENTS; TWO OTHERS AWAIT PARLIAMENTARY RATIFICATION. AN
ACCORD IS NOT REQUIRED FOR FAITHS TO WORSHIP IN ITALY.
INDEED, ITALY'S MUSLIM COMMUNITIES HAVE BEEN WORSHIPPING
FREELY IN OVER 200 MOSQUES AND PRAYER CENTERS.
4. (SBU) WITHIN THE SPACE OF THREE WEEKS, BOTH PISANU AND
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 ROME 01134 01 OF 02 191345Z
PERA FOUND PUBLIC PLATFORMS TO ADVOCATE RAPID CONCLUSION OF
AN ACCORD WITH THE ISLAMIC FAITH. THEIR MOTIVE IS A FAIRLY
CLEAR, SIMPLE ONE: SOCIAL PEACE. MAINSTREAM ITALIANS HAVE
BEEN RATTLED BY THE PERIODIC DISCOVERY OF RADICAL ISLAMIST
TERRORIST CELLS. COUPLED WITH PERCEPTIONS OF RAPIDLY
ESCALATING IMMIGRATION, MUCH OF IT FROM ISLAMIC COUNTRIES,
THESE TERROR PLOTS HAVE LEFT COMMENTATORS, POLITICIANS AND
MANY CITIZENS ALARMED OVER THE DEVELOPMENT OF PARALLEL MINI-
SOCIETIES THAT SHARE FEW OF ITALY'S COMMONLY ACCEPTED NORMS
AND VALUES. WHILE PLEASED WITH THE DISRUPTION AND ARREST OF
SUSPECTED ISLAMIC TERRORIST GROUPS IN ITALY, PISANU
REPORTEDLY VIEWS THOSE RESULTS AS SYMPTOMATIC OF A WORRYING
UNDERLYING PHENOMENON. IN WHAT APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN
UNCOORDINATED INITIATIVES, BOTH PISANU AND PERA DECIDED TO
PUSH A POSITIVE ALTERNATIVE TO THE REACTIONARY FEARMONGERING
ESPOUSED BY THE NORTHERN LEAGUE AND CULTURAL TRADITIONALISTS
OPPOSED TO A MORE MULTICULTURAL ITALY.
5. (U) DECLARING HIS SUPPORT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN
"ITALIAN ISLAM COMPATIBLE WITH OUR LAWS AND VALUES," PISANU
JANUARY 21 ANNOUNCED HE WAS READY TO SIT DOWN WITH THE
LEADERS OF MODERATE ISLAM IN ITALY TO CONCLUDE A FORMAL
ACCORD. MEANWHILE, THE STATE WOULD MEET ISLAMIC EXTREMISM
WITH ALL NECESSARY FIRMNESS. "THE MOSQUES MUST NOT BE
SOURCES OF POLITICAL PROPAGANDA OR, AS HAS HAPPENED,
TERRORIST FINANCING," PISANU ASSERTED. THREE WEEKS LATER,
SENATE PRESIDENT PERA ECHOED PISANU'S BROAD CALL, SAYING
THAT IT WAS TIME FOR AN ACCORD - PROVIDED ITALY'S MUSLIMS
RESPECTED RECIPROCALLY ITALIAN SOCIETY.
6. (SBU) THE REMARKS REFLECT INTER ALIA PISANU'S STRATEGY OF
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 04 ROME 01134 01 OF 02 191345Z
ENCOURAGING THE ASCENDANCY WITHIN ITALIAN MUSLIM COMMUNITIES
OF A TOLERANT, MODERATE FORM OF ISLAM COMPATIBLE WITH
ITALIAN LAW AND SOCIETAL NORMS. PISANU HAS SAID HE WOULD
LIKE TO DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS WITH A SMALL GROUP OF
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE FAITH WHO COULD HELP THE GOVERNMENT
UNDERSTAND THEIR COMMUNITIES, MANAGE PROBLEMS - AND, INTER
ALIA, IDENTIFY MORE RADICAL ELEMENTS. IF THIS DIALOGUE
PROVED SUCCESSFUL, THE GROUP COULD BECOME THE APPROPRIATE
COUNTERPART TO ESTABLISH A FRAMEWORK INTESA.
7. (SBU) IF PISANU'S REMARKS ARE INDICATIVE OF A NEW PUSH BY
THE BERLUSCONI GOVERNMENT TO CONCLUDE AN ACCORD WITH ITALIAN
MUSLIMS, THE INTERIOR MINISTER FACES A MAJOR CHALLENGE. THE
PRINCIPAL OBSTACLE TO AN AGREEMENT HASN'T BEEN THE LACK OF A
GOVERNMENT COMMITMENT; INTERIOR MINISTRY CONTACTS TELL US
THEY'VE HAD A DRAFT ACCORD READY FOR MONTHS. RATHER, IT'S
THE ABSENCE OF A REPRESENTATIVE GROUP WITH WHOM MINISTRY
OFFICIALS CAN NEGOTIATE. ISLAM IN ITALY IS, TO BORROW A
PHRASE FROM PISANU, AN "ARCHIPELAGO" OF RELIGIOUS
ASSOCIATIONS, IMMIGRANT GROUPS AND INDIVIDUAL PRAYER
CENTERS. MANY OF THESE GROUPS CLAIM TO REPRESENT THE BULK
OF THEIR CORELIGIONISTS AND, THEREFORE, TO BE THE
GOVERNMENT'S NATURAL INTERLOCUTOR.
8. (SBU) THIS MOSAIC OF ASSOCIATIONS, DRAWN FROM DIFFERENT
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED PTQ0622
PAGE 01 ROME 01134 02 OF 02 191345Z
ACTION EUR-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 CIAE-00 INL-00 DODE-00
SRPP-00 DS-00 EB-00 UTED-00 VC-00 TEDE-00 INR-00
IO-00 LAB-01 L-00 VCE-00 AC-01 NSAE-00 NSCE-00
OIC-02 OMB-01 DHS-00 OPIC-01 PA-00 PM-00 PRS-00
ACE-00 P-00 SCT-00 SP-00 STR-00 TEST-00 TRSE-00
USIE-00 PMB-00 DSCC-00 PRM-00 DRL-01 G-00 SAS-00
/007W
-------------- 46F6CB 191351Z /38
R 191341Z MAR 03
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 8806
INFO EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS SECTION 02 OF 02 ROME 001134
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR EUR/WE AND DRL/IRF
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PGOV IT ITPHUM
SUBJECT: INTERIOR MINISTER ADVOCATES FORMAL RELATIONSHIP
WITH ISLAM IN ITALY
CULTURES AND PHILOSOPHIES, AGREES ON LITTLE - INCLUDING THE
MAIN ELEMENTS OF A FORMAL ACCORD. RATHER THAN TRY TO SORT
OUT THEIR DIFFERENCES, THE MAJOR ISLAMIC ASSOCIATIONS ARE
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 ROME 01134 02 OF 02 191345Z
CONTENT TO SUGGEST THAT THE GOVERNMENT CONCLUDE MULTIPLE
ACCORDS WITH THE VARIOUS GROUPS (BEGINNING FIRST WITH THEIR
OWN, NATURALLY). IN THE MEANTIME, THEY POSTURE TO IMPROVE
THEIR RESPECTIVE CLAIM TO REPRESENT THE BULK OF ITALY'S
MUSLIMS IN THE EVENT THE GOVERNMENT HOLDS TO ITS CURRENT
POLICY OF NEGOTIATING A SINGLE AGREEMENT.
9. (SBU) COMMENT: PISANU'S AND PERA'S SPEECHES ULTIMATELY
MAY AMOUNT ONLY TO RHETORICAL OUTREACH. EVEN THE CONCLUSION
OF AN INTESE WOULD HAVE MORE SYMBOLIC THAN PRACTICAL IMPACT,
BUT THIS MODEST OUTCOME WOULD STILL REPRESENT AN IMPROVEMENT
IN THE WARY RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ITALIANS AND THE MAJORITY
OF MUSLIM IMMIGRANTS. THEIR REMARKS UNDERSCORE THE
GOVERNMENT'S POSITION THAT ITALY'S "MUSLIM ARCHIPELAGO" IS
POPULATED PRIMARILY BY REASONABLE PEOPLE WORTHY OF RESPECT
AND DIALOGUE. THAT MESSAGE PROVIDES AN IMPORTANT
COUNTERWEIGHT TO THE ALARMIST, REACTIONARY VIEWS OF THE
NORTHERN LEAGUE AND OTHERS FEARFUL OF THE EROSION OF
"TRADITIONAL" ITALIAN SOCIETY THAT, UNTIL NOW, HAVE TENDED
TO DOMINATE PUBLIC DISCOURSE ON THE SUBJECT.
SEMBLER
UNCLASSIFIED
>
2003ROME01134 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED