(S) PROPOSING INTERDICTION STRATEGY: ITALY

S E C R E T ROME 002412 SIPDIS FOR NP/RA, EUR, EUR/WE, AND EAP E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/30/2013 TAGS: PARM PREL MNUC KNNP IT SUBJECT: (S) PROPOSING INTERDICTION STRATEGY: ITALY REF: A. SECSTATE 140085 ¶B. 5/30 HODGES EMAIL CLASSIFIED BY: CLASSIFIED BY CHARGE D'AFFAIRES EMIL SKODON FOR REASONS 1.5 (A),(C),AND (D). ¶1. (S) CHARGE MET WITH MFA POLITICAL DIRECTOR ARAGONA ON MAY 29 TO RAISE REFTEL POINTS AND TO DELIVER NONPAPER ON PROPOSED INTERDICTION STRATEGY TO COMBAT PROLIFERATION. A/POLITICAL MINISTER-COUNSELOR AND ACTING MFA DIRECTOR FOR ARMS CONTROL CUCULI ALSO PARTICIPATED. CHARGE STRESSED THAT WE SEEK, AMONG THIS SELECT GROUP OF INTERLOCUTORS, EARLY AND BROAD CONSULTATIONS ON ALL FACETS OF INTERDICTION STRATEGY: POLITICAL, LEGAL, MILITARY, LAW ENFORCEMENT, ETC. HE ENCOURAGED AN EARLY AND POSITIVE ITALIAN RESPONSE IN ORDER TO FACILITATE PARTICIPATION AT THE MEETING IN EARLY JUNE. ¶2. (S) ARAGONA WAS RECEPTIVE, BUT CAUTIONED THAT HE COULD NOT GIVE A FORMAL REPLY BEFORE COORDINATING WITH GOI POLITICAL, LEGAL, AND OTHER EXPERTS. HE EXPRESSED APPRECIATION FOR THE INCLUSION OF ITALY IN OUR INITIAL APPROACHES, AND WELCOMED THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN EARLY CONSULTATIONS AND BRAINSTORMING. ARAGONA REAFFIRMED THAT ITALY IS FULLY COMMITTED TO BOTH NON- AND COUNTER-PROLIFERATION, INCLUDING INTERDICTION MEASURES. HE NOTED THE NONPAPER'S STRUCTURAL SIMILARITIES WITH OUR INITIAL DEMARCHES ON MARITIME INTERCEPT OPERATIONS (MIOS),AND EVINCED KEEN INTEREST IN THE MANNER IN WHICH WE HAD CHOSEN THE LIST OF INITIAL INTERLOCUTORS. HE TOOK ON BOARD THE FACT THAT THESE REPRESENTED NO EXISTING INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK, OPINING THAT IT MIGHT EVENTUALLY BE NECESSARY TO LINK THE INITIATIVE TO ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS THE UN, IMO, AND OTHERS. ¶3. (S) A/POL MC SUBSEQUENTLY CONVEYED TO MFA REF B INFORMATION ON NEW MEETING DATE (JUNE 12) AND LIKELY A/S LEVEL OF USG DELEGATION CHIEF. SKODON NNNN 2003ROME02412 - Classification: SECRET