Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03ROME1144
2003-03-20 08:15:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rome
Cable title:  

ITALY TO OPPOSE SPECIAL UNGA/IRAQ SESSION

Tags:  IZ PARM PREL UNSC 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 001144 

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/19/2013
TAGS: IZ PARM PREL UNSC
SUBJECT: ITALY TO OPPOSE SPECIAL UNGA/IRAQ SESSION

REF: A) STATE 70678

CLASSIFIED BY: POL MC THOMAS COUNTRYMAN FOR REASONS 1.5 (B) AND (D)


C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 001144

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/19/2013
TAGS: IZ PARM PREL UNSC
SUBJECT: ITALY TO OPPOSE SPECIAL UNGA/IRAQ SESSION

REF: A) STATE 70678

CLASSIFIED BY: POL MC THOMAS COUNTRYMAN FOR REASONS 1.5 (B) AND (D)



1. (C) POLMIN DELIVERED REF A POINTS TO CLAUDIO BISOGNIERO,
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL FOR THE MFA'S BUREAU FOR
MULTILATERAL AFFAIRS AND HUMAN RIGHTS. POLMIN ALSO NOTED
WITH APPRECIATION RECENT POSITIVE STATEMENTS BY PM BERLUSCONI
AND FM FRATTINI REAFFIRMING ITALY'S FRIENDSHIP WITH THE
UNITED STATES AND OPENING ITALIAN BASES AND AIRSPACE TO THE
USG.


2. (C) BISOGNIERO CALLED POLMIL BACK LATE 18 MARCH. AFTER
CONSULTATIONS WITHIN THE GOI BISOGNIERO STATED HE HAD ISSUED
CLEAR INSTRUCTIONS TO THE ITALIAN UN DELEGATION TO OPPOSE ANY
MOVES TO USE UNGA OR OTHER UN FORA FOR MISCHIEF MAKING ON
IRAQ. HE NOTED THERE HAD BEEN NO INDICATIONS FROM THE
ITALIAN DELEGATION IN NEW YORK ABOUT EFFORTS TO RAISE THE
IRAQ ISSUE OUTSIDE THE UNSC.


3. (C) SEPARATELY, HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICE DIRECTOR GIUSEPPE
CALVETTA (WHO PREVIOUSLY SERVED IN GENEVA) NOTED THE
COMPOSITION OF CHR-59 WOULD MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO PREVENT A
SPECIAL SEATING/DISCUSSION IF ARAB STATES AND THE AFRICA
GROUP ALL SUPPORTED ONE. CALVETTA SUGGESTED WE ISSUE A
"DECLARATION," IN GENEVA OR WASHINGTON, REAFFIRMING OUR
COMMITMENT TO RESPECT NONCOMBATANTS' HUMAN RIGHTS AND
DETAILING THE STEPS WE WOULD TAKE TO DO SO. WE NOTED THAT
SENIOR U.S. OFFICIALS, INCLUDING CJCS MYERS, REPEATEDLY HAVE
ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE PUBLICLY. NONETHELESS, CALVETTA
OBSERVED, THE DYNAMICS WITHIN THE CHR SUGGESTED TO HIM THAT A
PROACTIVE U.S. STATEMENT WOULD SAP MUCH OF THE MOMENTUM FROM
EFFORTS TO ORGANIZE A SPECIAL SEATING.
SEMBLER

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2003ROME01144 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL