Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03ROME1414
2003-04-03 10:21:00
SECRET
Embassy Rome
Cable title:  

ASSISTANCE FOR SYRIAN PORT DEVELOPMENT: ITALY

Tags:  EAID ETTC PREL SY IT EUN 
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S E C R E T ROME 001414

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/12/2015
TAGS: EAID ETTC PREL SY IT EUN
SUBJECT: ASSISTANCE FOR SYRIAN PORT DEVELOPMENT: ITALY
WELCOMES ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

REF: A. STATE 68977

B. 02 ROME 3718

CLASSIFIED BY: ECONOMIC COUNSELOR KAREN MILLIKEN,
REASONS 1.5 (B) AND (D)

(S) ECONOFF MET WITH MFA IRAQ DESK OFFICER FEDERICA FERRARI
BRAVO ON APRIL 2 TO DISCUSS CONTINUING U.S. OPPOSITION TO ANY
ASSISTANCE BY THE EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK IN THE PROJECT TO
UPGRADE THE SYRIAN PORT OF TARTUS. AFTER EXPRESSING U.S.
APPRECIATION FOR THE EC'S DECISION TO SUSPEND FORWARD
MOVEMENT OF THE EIB-APPROVED LOAN, ECONOFF NOTED THAT SEVERAL
EU MEMBER STATES HAD INDICATED A WISH FOR ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION REGARDING THE TRANSSHIPMENT OF ILLICIT
MILITARY-RELATED AND DUAL-USE GOODS TO IRAQ THROUGH TARTUS.
FERRARI, WHO HAD BEEN BRIEFED BY PERSIAN GULF AFFAIRS OFFICE
DIRECTOR LUIGI MACOTTA PRIOR TO OUR VISIT (MACOTTA HAD
RECEIVED OUR DEMARCHE IN JULY 2002 REGARDING THE SAME PROJECT
- REF B),SAID SHE WAS NOT AWARE OF ANY GOI CONCERNS ABOUT
JUSTIFYING THE CONTINUED SUSPENSION OF THE PROJECT. SHE
NEVERTHELESS WELCOMED THE INFORMATION WE PROVIDED -- AFTER
TAKING EXTENSIVE NOTES, SHE TOLD US SHE WOULD SHARE THIS
INFORMATION WITH OTHER RELEVANT OFFICES IN THE MFA, INCLUDING
THE BUREAU THAT OVERSEES ITALY'S EU AFFAIRS.
SEMBLER

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2003ROME01414 - Classification: SECRET