Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03ROME4764
2003-10-17 15:40:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rome
Cable title:  

MADRID DONORS' CONFERENCE: ITALY CONSIDERING 100

Tags:  EAID EFIN IT IZ PREL EUN 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 004764 

SIPDIS


STATE ALSO FOR E, EUR PDAS RIES, EB/CBA AND EB/IFD

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/17/2008
TAGS: EAID EFIN IT IZ PREL EUN
SUBJECT: MADRID DONORS' CONFERENCE: ITALY CONSIDERING 100
MILLION EURO PLEDGE

REF: A. STATE 294287

B. SECSTATE 287995

C. ROME 4661

D. ROME 4665

Classified By: Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Scott Kilner for reasons
1.5 (B)(D).

C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 004764

SIPDIS


STATE ALSO FOR E, EUR PDAS RIES, EB/CBA AND EB/IFD

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/17/2008
TAGS: EAID EFIN IT IZ PREL EUN
SUBJECT: MADRID DONORS' CONFERENCE: ITALY CONSIDERING 100
MILLION EURO PLEDGE

REF: A. STATE 294287

B. SECSTATE 287995

C. ROME 4661

D. ROME 4665

Classified By: Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Scott Kilner for reasons
1.5 (B)(D).


1. (C) Summary. We have been told on a confidential basis
that Prime Minister Berlusconi has proposed to his cabinet a
Madrid Conference pledge of 100 million euros for 2004. A
final decision, however, has not been taken yet. The Italian
delegation to Madrid will be led by FM Frattini and dominated
by Foreign Ministry representatives. At this point, no
senior Finance Ministry official will join the delegation.
End Summary.

SECRETARY'S ORAL MESSAGE

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--------------


2. (C) With Foreign Minister Frattini still in Brussels and
Ambassador Sembler outside of Rome, Acting DCM delivered the
Secretary's oral message on the Madrid Donors' Conference to

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Frattini's Acting Chief of Cabinet, Michele Baiano, the
morning of October 17 (leaving a written text for the
minister). A/DCM stressed that adoption of UNSCR 1511 should
serve as a catalyst for us all to make the Madrid Conference
an historic success. We appreciated that FM Frattini would
head the Italian delegation. We looked forward to a generous
and robust Italian financial contribution.


3. (C) Baiano promised to convey the Secretary's message to
Frattini immediately upon his return to Rome. Recalling
Frattini's latest telephone discussion of the issue with the
Secretary, he said the Foreign Minister was very focused on

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the Madrid conference. Baiano agreed that the U.N.
Resolution was a most welcome development, which would
undoubtedly add momentum to the Madrid Conference. He was
hopeful that the resolution would spur more European
governments to send their respective foreign ministers to
Madrid.


4. (C) In response to A/DCM's question regarding prospects
for an Italian pledge, Baiano (please strictly protect)
confided that Prime Minister Berlusconi has proposed to his
cabinet a pledge of 100 million euros for 2004. That amount

is currently under discussion and no final action has been
taken, he stressed. Nevertheless, Baiano appeared confident
that the final figure would not be too far from that amount.
He had no information regarding possible outyear commitments.

ITALIAN GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE SECTOR REPRESENTATION
-------------- --------------


5. (U) Iraq Task Force Deputy Director Luigi Maccotta told
EconOff on October 15 that Italy's delegation to the Madrid
Conference will include the following Foreign Ministry
representation: (a) Foreign Minister Frattini; (b) Cesare
Ragaglini, Frattini's Chief of Staff; (c) Ricardo Sessa, DG
for the Middle East and Director of the Iraq Task Force; (d)
Michele Valensise, MFA Spokesman and Director of the Press
Office; (e) Dr. Siciniano, an Iraq expert from the MFA's
Directorate for Development Assistance; and (f) Maccotta
himself. At this time, no Finance Ministry representation is
anticipated.


6. (U) With respect to Italian participation in the private
sector meeting, Dr. Laura Travaglini, Middle East Area
Manager for Italy's largest employers' association
(Confindustria),gave EconOff an updated and expanded list of
Italian participants (Ref D ). The new delegation will
include thirteen people total: seven from industry
associations, two from Italian Government ministries, and
four from the private sector. The names and institutional
affiliations of the delegates are as follows: (a) Laura
Travaglini, Confindustria; (b) Fabio Pizzino, Assoc. of
Chambers of Commerce (Unioncamere); (c) Giacomo De Gennaro,
Foreign Trade Commission (ICE); (d) Cecilia Satta, National
Building Construction Industry Assoc. (ANCE); (e) Giuliano
Ceradelli, Assoc. of Engineering Organizations (OICE); (f)
Dario Cappelletti, National Electronic Industry Association
(ANIE); (g) National Plant Construction Industry
Assoc.(ASSISTAL) rep TBD; (h) Tullio Di Pietro,Industry
Ministry; (i) Mario Fugazzola, Foreign Ministry; (j) Mario
Bonechi, Techint, SpA.; (k) Francesco Nanotti, Telecom


Italia; (l) Annalisa Biondi, Finmeccanica SpA; (m) Mario
Fugazzola, Office Director in the MFA's Bureau of
Multilateral Economic and Financial Cooperation.


7. (C) Comment: Embassy has continued to press the GOI for
a generous pledge in Madrid at every opportunity (Ref C). At
an October 15 ceremony to honor Italian soldiers returning
from Afghanistan, Amb. Sembler spoke to Prime Minister
Berlusconi, reminding him of conversations with the President
at Crawford regarding Iraq; the PM responded that he had
"received our message" and that he would do what he could.
At a small October 16 dinner for visiting EXIM Bank President
Merrill, the Ambassador again drove home the importance of
the Madrid Conference with MFA Director General for Economic
Affairs Magliano. Acting DCM phoned Prime Ministry
Undersecretary Letta (Berlusconi's closest advisor) on
October 17 to ensure that Letta was aware of British and
Japanese pledge announcements; Letta confirmed that no final
GOI decision on a pledge has been made yet. A/DCM also
phoned Finance Minister Tremonti's Diplomatic Advisor, Carlo
Baldocci, to again make the case for Madrid. Baldocci
confirmed that Tremonti was not/not planning to attend, but
undertook to make sure that Tremonti was fully aware that
Treasury Secretary Snow would be there. End Comment.
SEMBLER


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2003ROME04764 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL