Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
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03ROME3794 | 2003-08-21 16:07:00 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Rome |
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available. |
C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 003794 |
1. (C) Summary: The agenda for PM Berlusconi's August 22/23 meeting with German Chancellor Schroeder will include the Intergovernmental Conference and transatlantic relations. We told the PM's acting diplomatic advisor that an excellent vehicle for improving US-EU relations would be a commitment from Italy and Germany to work together to increase resources for Afghanistan. Berlusconi's meeting with Russian President Putin in Sardinia August 29-31 is a warm up for the November Russia/EU summit and bilateral state visit. We recommended that Russia's role in settling the Moldova/Transnistria conflict, and our concern over continued Russian cooperation with Iran's nuclear program be added to the agenda. End Summary. -------------------------- Abu-Mazen Visit off -------------------------- 2. (C) On August 20 diplomatic advisor to PM Berlusconi, Francesco Talo (senior advisor in the PM's office during the summer break) gave Charge and Poloff an overview of the PM's agenda and goals for his upcoming meetings with German Chancellor Schroeder and Russian President Putin. He also confirmed media reports that the meeting with PA PM Abu Mazen had been postponed due to events in the region. Talo said that while there was no firm date for the rescheduled visit, Italy will be the first European country Abu Mazen visits when he resumes his international travel. -------------------------- Dinner, Opera and Breakfast with Schroeder -------------------------- 3. (C) Based on ref a reporting and Talo's comments, it would seem that Berlusconi and Schroeder share a common goal for the August 22/23 meeting in Verona, which is to repair the damage to German-Italian relations caused by Berlusconi's comments at the European Parliament in July and Schroeder's subsequent cancellation of his vacation in Italy. Talo said that events Friday evening August 22 would be strictly private and personal - a dinner followed by the opera Carmen. EU Commission President Prodi will join the two leaders for the evening. 4. (C) On Saturday morning August 23, Schroeder and Berlusconi will have a working breakfast. Talo described the meeting as an "informal, free conversation" but said that the conversation would center on two blocks of issues: the EU and Italian EU Presidency, particularly the Intergovernmental Conference; and transatlantic relations. The two blocks are linked, according to Talo, because how the EU handles transatlantic relations is key to the success of its foreign policy. Talo said that it was in Italy's and all EU countries' interests to help Germany rebuild relations with the US. "We are all in the same boat, and when one passenger misbehaves we all suffer." 5. (C) One issue in which Talo saw convergence between the US and Germany was Afghan reconstruction and stabilization, citing Germany's commitment to the IC's efforts in Afghanistan, and its willingness to consider Brahimi's request to enhance and strengthen NATO's role and ISAF presence. To Talo's request for suggestions for the Schroeder/Berlusconi agenda, Charge emphasized that the US is accelerating the push for financial assistance to support the government in Kabul (ref b), particularly that related to the UN effort to prepare for upcoming elections. A commitment from Italy and Germany to work together bilaterally and within the EU to increase financial aid to Afghanistan would be an excellent practical step in strengthening transatlantic relations (see also septel). 6. (C) Comment: This meeting is important to Berlusconi's efforts to get the focus on the Italian EU Presidency off of his Strasbourg gaffe and on to substance. He is interrupting his summer vacation in Sardinia to travel to Verona to meet with Schroeder, an indication of the importance he places on Germany's role in the success of one of his top priorities for the Presidency - the Intergovernmental Conference. Germany has come out strongly in support of signing the constitution basically as written by Giscard, and to resist the call by some EU members to open items for discussion and redraft. This is key to Berlusconi's goals of finishing the IGC during the Italian Presidency and a subsequent "Treaty of Rome II" signing ceremony. He will need Schroeder's help to keep the process on track. End Comment -------------------------- Putin in Sardinia -------------------------- 7. (C) Putin will be Berlusconi's guest at his summer home in Sardinia from August 29-31. Again, Talo emphasized that the visit was mostly personal, but it did offer the leaders the chance to review issues in a relaxed atmosphere. Broadly, they will follow up on items discussed at their July 29 lunch in Moscow, and set the stage for the November 6-7 EU-Russia Summit and bilateral state visit in Rome. Talo said that much of the bilateral discussions would center on Russian interest in enlarging and enhancing cultural contacts, exchange visits and tourism. That is the public face the Italians will give to the visit. 8. (C) Privately, said Talo, the leaders would discuss a wide range of issues, from the Quartet role in the MEPP to enhancing EU/Russian relations. The Charge noted that it would be helpful if two issues of interest to the US and EU could be placed on the meeting agenda. The first would be for Berlusconi to underline with Putin the important role Russia has to play in accelerating progress on conflict resolution and arms withdrawal in Moldova/Transnistria (ref c). Charge also asked Talo' if Berlusconi could reiterate once again with Putin our strong concern over Iran's nuclear program, and clarify conflicting reports (refs d and e) on the level of Russian cooperation with the construction program at the Bushehr facility. Talo promised to try to work the issues into Berlusconi's briefing materials. Skodon NNNN 2003ROME03794 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL |