(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

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2003ROME02412 - Classification: SECRET