Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03ROME489
2003-02-06 15:27:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rome
Cable title:  

TAREQ AZIZ TO MEET THE POPE AND ITALIAN OFFICIALS

Tags:  IZ IT PREL IRAQI FREEDOM 
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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 000489 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/06/2013
TAGS: IZ IT PREL IRAQI FREEDOM
SUBJECT: TAREQ AZIZ TO MEET THE POPE AND ITALIAN OFFICIALS
FEB. 14

REF: VATICAN 483

CLASSIFIED BY: POLITICAL MINISTER-COUNSELOR THOMAS COUNTRYMAN FOR REASO
NS 1.5 (B) AND (D)

C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 000489

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/06/2013
TAGS: IZ IT PREL IRAQI FREEDOM
SUBJECT: TAREQ AZIZ TO MEET THE POPE AND ITALIAN OFFICIALS
FEB. 14

REF: VATICAN 483

CLASSIFIED BY: POLITICAL MINISTER-COUNSELOR THOMAS COUNTRYMAN FOR REASO
NS 1.5 (B) AND (D)


1. (U) THIS IS AN ACTION REQUEST. PLEASE SEE PARAGRAPH 3.


2. (C) CESARE RAGAGLINI, FM FRATTINI'S CHIEF OF STAFF,
INFORMED POL MC THAT TAREQ AZIZ IS SCHEDULED TO VISIT THE
VATICAN AND CALL ON THE POPE FEB. 14 (REF.) THE IRAQI
INTEREST SECTION IN ROME HAD ALREADY CALLED THE MFA SEEKING
OFFICIAL GOI APPOINTMENTS, SAID RAGAGLINI, AND THE GOI'S
INITIAL THOUGHT WAS TO HAVE AZIZ MEET WITH FM FRATTINI IN
ORDER TO SEND THE STRONGEST POSSIBLE MESSAGE ON IRAQ TO AZIZ
IN PERSON AND SUBSEQUENTLY IN A COMMUNIQUE. RAGAGLINI ALSO
MENTIONED THAT AZIZ WOULD CERTAINLY SEEK TO MEET OPPOSITION
LEADERS WHO ARE AGAINST THE WAR AS WELL AS SOME CATHOLIC
POLITICIANS WITHIN THE GOVERNING COALITION WITH WHOM HE HAS
HAD LONG CONTACTS.


3. (C) POL MC SAID THAT THE STRONGEST POSSIBLE MESSAGE TO
IRAQ WOULD BE FOR THE MFA TO REFUSE TO SEE AZIZ ALTOGETHER
BUT UNDERSTOOD THAT WAS DIFFICULT SINCE ITALIAN PUBLIC
OPINION WOULD NOT UNDERSTAND THE REFUSAL OF THE GOI TO TALK
TO AZIZ. POL MC PROMISED TO CHECK IF THE DEPARTMENT HAD ANY
MESSAGE FOR THE GOI TO COMMUNICATE TO AZIZ, BUT SAID THAT THE
DEPARTMENT WOULD PROBABLY NOT OFFER AN OPINION ON WHO IN THE
GOI OUGHT TO MEET AZIZ.

SEMBLER


2003ROME00489 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL