LIBERIA/ECOWAS MISSION: ITALY SUPPORTIVE,

C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 003399

SIPDIS


DEPARTMENT FOR AF, EUR/ERA, EUR/WE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/24/2013
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL MASS XY IT UNSC
SUBJECT: LIBERIA/ECOWAS MISSION: ITALY SUPPORTIVE,
CIRCULATING APPEAL FOR EU FINANCING

REF: A. STATE 213493


B. BRUSSELS 3711

CLASSIFIED BY: A/POL MINISTER-COUNSELOR GARY ROBBINS FOR REASONS 1.5(B)
AND (C)


1. (C) SUMMARY. MFA DIRECTOR-GENERAL FOR SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
CABRAS SAID ITALY BACKS OUR CALL FOR EU SUPPORT OF AN ECOWAS
MISSION IN LIBERIA, AND IS CIRCULATING A FUNDING REQUEST
WITHIN THE EU. ITALY'S EU CORRESPONDENT IS ALSO ENGAGED.
END SUMMARY.


2. (C) A/POLITICAL MINISTER-COUNSELOR AND POLOFF MET JULY 24
WITH CABRAS AND SEBASTIANO FULCI, MFA OFFICE DIRECTOR FOR
WESTERN AFRICA. CABRAS -- WHO HAD ALREADY LEARNED FROM
ITALY'S EMBASSY IN WASHINGTON THAT THE US HAS COMMITTED AN
INITIAL 10 MILLION USD FOR ECOWAS SUPPORT -- AGREED ON THE
NEED FOR EU SUPPORT OF AN ECOWAS MISSION IN LIBERIA AND SAID
ITALY WOULD LEAD AN APPEAL FOR EU FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.
CABRAS NOTED THAT THERE HAS ALREADY BEEN A SERIES OF EU
DISCUSSIONS ON FINANCING AN ECOWAS MISSION. ON USE OF AN
ECOWAS TRUST FUND, CABRAS STRESSED THE NEED FOR DONORS TO BE
ASSURED THAT FUNDS ARE USED APPROPRIATELY, AND SAID
STANDARDIZED AND TRANSPARENT MECHANISMS WOULD BE NECESSARY TO
EASE ANY CONCERNS ABOUT CORRUPTION AND TO ENCOURAGE DONORS'
GENEROSITY.


3. (C) CABRAS SAID THE EU'S PRIMARY FOCUS IS STILL ON
REACHING A PEACE AGREEMENT. THE OUTLINES OF AN AGREEMENT ARE
CLEAR AND ALREADY ON THE TABLE, BUT THE OPPOSING SIDES HAVE
NOT YET REACHED CONSENSUS ON POWER SHARING AND THE
DISTRIBUTION OF GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIOS. THE REBELS DEMAND
PRESIDENT TAYLOR'S REMOVAL AND SEEK THE PRESIDENCY AND THE
VICE-PRESIDENCY, WHILE THE PRESENT GOVERNMENT IS HOPING TO
RETAIN THE PRESIDENCY AND SOME LEGITIMACY AS A
DEMOCRATICALLY-ELECTED GOVERNMENT.


4. (C) WE ALSO BRIEFED ITALY'S EU CORRESPONDENT, WHO
CONFIRMED LATE ON 7/25 THAT ALL APPROPRIATE ELEMENTS IN
BRUSSELS ARE ENGAGED.
SEMBLER

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2003ROME03399 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL