TFIZO1: ITALY TO EXPEL IRAQI DIPLOMATS

S E C R E T ROME 001205

SIPDIS


STATE FOR INR AND EUR/WE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/21/2013
TAGS: PREL PGOV IT IRAQI FREEDOM
SUBJECT: TFIZO1: ITALY TO EXPEL IRAQI DIPLOMATS

REF: A. ROME 1173

B. STATE 72921

CLASSIFIED BY: DEPUTY CHIEF OF MISSION EMIL SKODON, REASONS 1.5 (B) AND
(D)


1. (S) IN A CONVERSATION LATE ON MARCH 21, ANTONIO BADINI,
DIRECTOR-GENERAL FOR THE MIDDLE EAST AT THE ITALIAN MFA, TOLD
POLMC THAT ITALY HAD AGREED TO THE EXPULSION OF IRAQI
DIPLOMATS FROM THE BILATERAL INTERESTS SECION. THEY HAD BEEN
TOLD TO SUSPEND OPERATIONS AND DEPART ROME NOT LATER THAN
SUNDAY, MARCH 23. BADINI IMPLIED, BUT DID NOT DIRECTLY
CONFIRM, THAT THE EXPULSIONS WOULD BE AS FORECAST BY THE
MINISTER'S OFFICE REF A: I.E., TO INCLUDE ALL OFFICIALS IN
THE INTERESTS SECTION, EXCEPT FOR THE CHARGE D'AFFAIRES.


2. (U) IN A STATEMENT TO THE PRESS AT ABOUT THE SAME HOUR, AS
HE WAS RETURNING FROM BRUSSELS, FM FRATTINI SAID THAT ITALY
WOULD RESPOND POSITIVELY TO THE US REQUEST FOR EXPULSION OF
IRAQI DIPLOMATS. ACCORDING TO THE PRESS REPORT, THE US HAD
NOT/NOT REQUESTED THE EXPULSION OF THE HEAD OF THE INTERESTS
SECTION. EMBASSY IS RESPONDING TO PRESS INQUIRIES ABOUT HIS
STATEMENT BY CONFIRMING THAT THE USG REQUESTED OF MANY
COUNTRIES, INCLUDING ITALY, THE SUSPENSION OF OPERATIONS OF
IRAQI DIPLOMATIC ESTABLISHMENTS; WELCOMING POSITIVE STEPS
ITALY WAS TAKING IN RESPONSE; AND REFERRING BACK TO THE GOI
FOR CONFIRMATION OF EXACT STEPS.


3. (C) EMBASSY WILL ATTEMPT OVER THE WEEKEND (ONCE FRATTINI'S
STAFF HAS RETURNED TO ROME) TO VERIFY WHETHER OR NOT THE
CHARGE IS INCLUDED IN THE EXPULSION ORDER.
SEMBLER

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2003ROME01205 - Classification: SECRET