EU GYMNICH - ITALY WILL PUSH FOR UN IRAQ

C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 001506

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/15/2014
TAGS: PREL PHUM IT EUN MEPP IRAQI FREEDOM
SUBJECT: EU GYMNICH - ITALY WILL PUSH FOR UN IRAQ
RESOLUTION "SOON"; WOULD LIKE TO SEE ENHANCED QUARTET ROLE
IN MEPP; ACCELERATED "DEVOLUTION" IN KOSOVO

REF: A) STATE 81802 B) STATE 83881 C) ROME 1491

Classified By: A/POL MINISTER-COUNSELOR GARY ROBBINS. REASON: 1.5 (B)(
D)

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SUMMARY
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1. (C) Iraq will be at the top of the agenda at the EU
Informal Foreign Ministers' meeting (Gymnich) in Tullamore,
Ireland. Italy's view is that the IC will have to make a long
term military commitment to provide a secure environment in
Iraq, and will push "soon" for a new UN resolution to provide
further legitimacy to the international presence. FMs will
discuss EU/Quartet re-engagement in the MEPP. The MFA is
sponsoring a 15/16 April Conference on Cooperation between
the Ministry and Italian regional authorities for initiatives
in Palestine. FMs will be exploring ways to "enrich" the
stabilization process in Kosovo while staying within the
standards before status framework. Italy will propose an
acceleration of the "devolution" of certain powers from UNMIK
to local authorities. The EU may be looking to deploy a
larger, more proactive civilian presence on the ground in
Pristina. Italy will push for a press statement outlining the
ramifications of a "no" vote in the April 24 Cyprus
referendum.

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IRAQ
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2. (C) On April 15 Ambassador Sembler conveyed to FM Frattini
the USG's condolences for the murder in Iraq of Italian
hostage Fabrizio Quattrocchi. The Ambassador also drew on
points in ref b to assure Frattini that the US did not intend
to allow terrorists to undo the good work of coalition
countries in Iraq, and encouraged Italy to stay the course.
Poloff also reviewed points with MFA Deputy Director for EU
Integration Luigi Mattiolo, who was preparing Gymnich
briefing materials for FM Frattini. He said that Iraq would
obviously be at the top of the agenda in Tullamore, and the
flexible nature of the informal ministerials' agendas meant
that it could dominate the entire weekend. Italy's view is
that establishment of a credible political leadership leading
to economic development was key, and for that to happen, the
IC would have to make a long term military commitment to
provide a secure environment. Accordingly, Italy would push
"soon" for a new UN resolution to provide further legitimacy
to the international presence (ref c). According to
Mattiolo, such a resolution would make it easier for nations
to contribute personnel. The main point FM Frattini will
stress at the Gymnich is that the situation must not be
allowed to deteriorate between now and the handover on June

30. He will encourage his European partners to do whatever
necessary in that regard.

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MIDDLE EAST
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3. (C) MFA Eastern Mediterranean Deputy Office Director Luca
Fratini told poloff that Mideast points ref a were in line
with Italy's thinking on the way ahead for promoting security
and political and economic stability in the Middle East. He
said that President Bush's meetings with Egyptian President
Mubarak and Israeli Prime Minister Sharon this week, and
Jordan's King Abdullah on April 21 were evidence of the USG's
strong concern and continued engagement in the region, and
was welcomed by both Italy and the EU. That said, Fratini
predicted that one of the main topics of conversation among
FMs would be EU/Quartet re-engagement in the peace process.


4. (SBU) Fratini said Italy has a special role to play in the
long term stabilization of the region, given its strong
relationship with both Israel and the Palestinians. As an
example of Italy's commitment, he cited the MFA's sponsorship
of the 15/16 April Conference on Cooperation between the
Ministry and Italian regional authorities for initiatives in
Palestine. The Palestinian National Authority, the World
Bank and European Union Commission will also participate.
Italy itself will pledge 25 million Euro for development
funds for Palestine, which Fratini hopes will act as seed
money for local and international investment; a "starting
point for the Mideast Marshall Plan" that PM Berlusconi has
long promoted.

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Kosovo
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5. (C) Acting Balkans Office Director Andrea Orizio said that
Italy and the EU were pleased to see the strong, rapid,
high-level USG reaction to the events in Kosovo last month.
FMs would recognize this engagement during the April 16 lunch
discussion on Kosovo, and will be looking for ways to
"enrich" the stabilization process while staying within the
standards before status framework. Italy will propose an
acceleration of the "devolution" of certain powers from UNMIK
to local authorities. Orizio said he did not have specific
powers in mind, the proposal would simply be a point of
departure for FMs' conversations. With the 2005 decision
date on Kosovo status approaching, the IC must begin to think
creatively about ways to move the process. Orizio said that
while KFOR's response to the violence was excellent, UNMIK
seemed to be caught off guard. It may be time to think about
reviewing UNMIK's capabilities as we begin the selection
process for SRSG Holkeri's successor


6. (C) Mattiolo noted our recognition of Solana's
appointment of Italian diplomat Fernando Gentilini as his
personal representative in Kosovo, and hinted that this may
be the start of a larger, more proactive EU presence on the
ground in Pristina. He also said that Serbian Deputy Prime
Minister Labus, in town April 15 to meet with FM Frattini,
would receive a strong message from Italy on Belgrade's role
and responsibility in securing the peace in Kosovo. Frattini
will report the substance of his conversations with Labus to
his counterparts at the Gymnich.

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Cyprus
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7. (C) Mattiolo said that it was unlikely the FMs would have
time to talk at length about Cyprus. That said, he
recognized that it would be a mistake for the ministers to
miss this opportunity to send a message to the Greek Cypriots
so close to the April 24 referendum. Accordingly, Italy will
push for a press statement (since the Gymnich has no formal
declaration) outlining the EU's view that a "no" vote from
either side of the green line would have severe negative
ramifications for all Cyprus residents, and represent a
serious setback to Cyprus' economic and political integration
with Europe.

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2004ROME01506 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL