EU GAERC AND COUNCIL - ITALY ON BOARD WITH US

C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 001109

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/19/2014
TAGS: PREL IT EUN MEPP
SUBJECT: EU GAERC AND COUNCIL - ITALY ON BOARD WITH US
POSITIONS ON MEPP, IRAN/IAEA, BALKANS

REF: STATE 57444 B) ROME 1100

Classified By: POLMIN TOM COUNTRYMAN. REASON:1.5 (B)(D)

Guidance Request - See para 8


1. (C) SUMMARY. Italy is on board with US views presented
ref A. Our interlocutors predict that statements in draft
for next week's General Affairs External Relations Council
(GAERC) and European Council (Heads of State) meetings will
reinforce the need for US-EU solidarity on Balkans and
Mideast Issues. Ref B reports Italy's response to reftel
points on terrorism and terrorist financing. Italy believes
the feasibility studies leading to the EU Balkans
Stabilization and Association process are more effective
tools than CARDS to promote cooperation with the ICTY. The
GAERC concluding statement will include language condemning
renewed violence in Kosovo and urging Pristina and Belgrade
to restore order. Italy and the EU strongly agree with
reftel points calling on Iran to comply with IAEA
commitments, including allowing immediate resumption of
inspections of all nuclear facilities. Italy and its EU
partners are delighted and relieved to see the US so actively
reengaged in MEPP. END SUMMARY.

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Balkans
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2. (C) MFA Balkans Office Director Fernando Gentilini told
Poloff that Italy fully supported USG views (ref A) that the
US and EU must speak with one voice regarding Belgrade's
cooperation with the ICTY. The EU would not, however, link
continuation of the CARDS process to that cooperation.
According to Gentilini, the feasibility studies leading to
the EU Stabilization and Association process could be used
far more effectively as a tool to promote cooperation with
the ICTY as well as progress across a wide range of political
and economic areas. He predicted that funds distribution to
Serbia related to CARDS would be approved at the GAERC.
Should conditions remain the same, Belgrade would not
receive a positive signal from the next feasibility study.


3. (C) Gentilini said that Italy would support a strong GAERC
concluding statement that emphasized ICTY cooperation.
Similarly, Serbian PM Kostunica's visit to Brussels
immediately following the GAERC also afforded the EU an
opportunity to express concern over the slow rate of progress
on a number of issues, including Kosovo. Note: At the time
of this conversation Gentilini was unsure whether breaking
events in Kosovo would cause Kostunica to cancel his Brussels
trip. Nonetheless, added Gentilini, the GAERC concluding
statement would include language condemning the violence on
both sides and urging the authorities in Pristina and
Belgrade to act responsibly, rapidly, and cooperatively with
KFOR and UMMIK to restore order. End Note.


4. (C) Gentilini said that the EU was progressing favorably
in drafting implementing language to freeze assets of ICTY
indictees (Karadzic, Mladic and Gotovina) and their
supporters, but was not optimistic that the final document
would be ready for approval at the March 22 GAERC.

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Iran
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5. (C) Mideast Gulf Office Director Luigi Maccotta told
poloff that Italy and the EU strongly agree with reftel
points calling on Iran to comply with IAEA commitments,
including allowing immediate resumption of inspections of all
nuclear facilities. Maccotta had been reviewing draft
language prepared by the EU PSC, and was hopeful that it
could be in final form in time for approval by EU FMs at the
GAERC. He predicted that the US would be pleased with its
substance and tone.


6. (C) Maccotta added that while the international community
must remain tough and vigilant regarding Iran's nuclear
program, it must also continue to engage the Tehran regime.
Iran plays an important role in regional stability, and thus
far had not undermined efforts to rebuild Iraq. Maccotta
said that the ICs message of nuclear restraint must be
unconditional, but should be accompanied by offers to Iran to
participate in regional initiatives, such as the GME.
Dialogue, high level political visits and trade arrangements
were also helping to keep communications channels open.


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MEPP
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7. (C) MFA Eastern Mediterranean Deputy Office Director Luca
Fratini said that as of the afternoon of March 18 he had seen
no draft conclusions on MEPP or unilateral disengagement from
Gaza, so was uncertain as to whether these issues would make
it to the table next week in Brussels. He said that Italy
and its EU partners are delighted and relieved to see the US
so actively reengaged in the region. He cited Amb. Ott's
March 10 Quad briefing as particularly helpful and
encouraging.


8. (C) Fratini also encouraged the US to continue to assure
European allies that the GME is not a replacement for or
dilution of the USG's involvement in the ongoing MEPP. He
admitted that there had been some concerns along those lines
both in Brussels and Rome. Italy believes that efforts to
break the stalemate can only succeed if the EU and US speak
with one voice. Italy supports in principle Sharon's
disengagement plan, and is looking forward to receiving more
details on implementation. He agreed that any such moves
must fit within the roadmap framework. Fratini wondered
whether the USG was beginning to think about an international
"monitoring mission" in Gaza once Israel withdraws. Poloff
promised to pass along Fratini's question to Washington.

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2004ROME01109 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL