FM FRATTINI'S VISIT TO SIX ARAB COUNTIES PRIOR TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 002737

SIPDIS

NOTE BY CIB: PROCESS AS IS PER EAO STEVE ROYSTER"
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/17/2013
TAGS: PREL IT AG LY MO SY TS LE EUN
SUBJECT: FM FRATTINI'S VISIT TO SIX ARAB COUNTIES PRIOR TO
ITALY'S EU PRESIDENCY

REF: A. SECSTATE 157980


B. ROME 2642

Classified By: ACTING POL MC JOHN BASS FOR REASONS 1.5 (B) AND (D)


1. (C) Summary: FM Frattini's pre-EU Presidency visits to
Rabat, Tripoli, Tunis, Algiers, Beirut, and Damascus June 4-9
showcased Italy's priority on improving Euro-Med cooperation
but otherwise generated no surprises. Frattini introduced
Italy's EU Presidency priorities, promoted the roadmap and
stressed the importance of seizing the current window of
opportunity to advance the MEPP. Frattini repeated the US'
and Italy's serious reservations about Libya's UNSC
candidacy; FM Shalgam said Qadhafi would make the final
decision. The Syrian and Lebanese Presidents asked to add a
"Syrian and Lebanese track" to the roadmap. End summary.

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Libya
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2. (C) Pol NEA Watcher met with Antonio Bellavia and Luca
Ferrari, the MFA's office directors for Libya/Maghreb
countries and the Eastern Med, respectively, to get a
read-out on Frattini's June 4-9 trip to the Middle and Near
East. Frattini met Qadhafi, PM Shameck and FM Shalgam June

5. According to Bellavia, Shalgam told Frattini that Libya
has not yet decided for sure to pursue a UNSC seat and that
the final decision on this matter would be Qadhafi's (ref B).
Shalgam added that Libya expects to solve the Lockerbie case
by the end of the year, thus eliminating the main obstacle in
front of a Libya candidacy. Frattini stressed to Shalgam
that, even if Libya were to meet its obligations regarding
the Pan Am 103 bombing by the end of 2003, the US and Italy
would still find Libya's UNSC candidacy inappropriate.
Frattini explained that it would still take more time for
Libya to establish a track record of contributing to the
maintenance of international peace and security, a UN charter
prerequisite for membership on the SC (ref A),before the
international community could view Libya's UNSC candidacy
favorably. On the MEPP, Shalgam was neither in favor nor
against the roadmap. He said that "what is good for the
Palestinians is good for Libya."

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THE MAGHREB COUNTRIES
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3. (C) Frattini met Moroccan PM Jettou June 4, Tunisian FM
Ben Yahia June 6 and Algerian President Bouteflika and FM
Belqhadem June 7. Frattini stressed the need to seize the
opportunity created by the Sharm El Sheikh and Al Aqaba
summits to advance the MEPP and urged the three Maghreb
countries to support the roadmap. Morocco, Tunisia, and
Algeria supported the roadmap and promised to do what they
could to promote peace in the Middle East. According to
Bellavia, Frattini also tried to eliminate widespread
concerns in the Maghreb countries that the EU enlargement to
the East would diminish the EU's commitment to the Med
region. Frattini underlined that the Med region is a
priority of the Italian EU Presidency. Italy will host a
Euro-Med conference in Naples in early December. Frattini
said that Italy supports the idea of establishing a bank to
fund development projects in the Southern Med region as well
as a foundation that promotes cultural dialogue between Arab
and European Med countries.

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SYRIA AND LEBANON
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4. (C) Frattini met Lebanese President Lahoud and FM Obeid
June 8 and Syrian President Assad and FM Al-Shara June 9.
According to Ferrari, Lahoud and Assad stressed the need to
"activate the Lebanese and Syrian track" to reach a just,
comprehensive and lasting peace in the region. Assad
suggested having another roadmap or amending the existing one
for that purpose. He specifically proposed that, during the
Italian Presidency, the EU would work with Syria on
developing a mechanism based on the principles of the Madrid
Conference and UN resolutions 242 and 338 in order to
re-launch negotiations. Frattini underscored Italy's
commitment to the MEPP, stressed that the GOI plans to


cooperate closely with the US during its EU Presidency, and
that negotiations should reach a just, comprehensive and
lasting solution that includes Syria and Lebanon.


5. (C) Comment: Frattini's trip to the above six Arab
countries, just prior to PM Berlusconi's trip to Israel,
Jordan and Egypt (to be reported septel),stresses the great
emphasis the Italian EU Presidency will place on the MEPP and
the Med region. When it comes to the Middle and Near East,
there seems to be a division of labor between Berlusconi and
Frattini, with Berlusconi keeping the "sexier" portfolio to
himself.
Sembler
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2003ROME02737 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL