Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04ROME1707
2004-04-30 15:38:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rome
Cable title:  

ITALY SEEKS ACTIVE QUARTET ROLE IN GAZA

Tags:  PREL IS GZ IT MEPP 
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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 001707 

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/30/2014
TAGS: PREL IS GZ IT MEPP
SUBJECT: ITALY SEEKS ACTIVE QUARTET ROLE IN GAZA

REF: ROME 1506

Classified By: A/DCM WILLIAM HAUGH, REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).

C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 001707

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/30/2014
TAGS: PREL IS GZ IT MEPP
SUBJECT: ITALY SEEKS ACTIVE QUARTET ROLE IN GAZA

REF: ROME 1506

Classified By: A/DCM WILLIAM HAUGH, REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).


1. (C) SUMMARY: Italy would like to see a "substantial"
statement emerge from the May 4 meeting of Quartet foreign
ministers and would like the Quartet to assume a more active
role. The Italian MFA is circulating a non-paper (text in
para 5) calling for more robust Quartet and EU activity to
support reconstruction in Gaza, which will require more than
just "handing over the money," but also a ground presence.
As an EU country with "strong interests in the stability of
the Mediterranean," Italy hopes that its input will be
reflected in the conclusions of the upcoming Quartet meeting.
END SUMMARY.


2. (SBU) Italian MFA East Mediterranean Office Director Luca
Ferrari called in representatives of the U.S., Irish (as EU
Presidency country) and Russian embassies to receive a
non-paper with Italy's suggestions for the May 4 meeting of
Quartet Ministers. Ferrari explained that while Italy will
not be present at the Quartet, it nonetheless retains a
strong interest in the stability of the Mediterranean.
Foreign Minister Frattini asked the MFA to develop an Italian
position for the meeting. This demarche, Ferrari said,
should be considered a personal message from Frattini to
Secretary Powell, in the U.S. case. Ferrari said the

SIPDIS
demarche would also be delivered in Washington, Dublin, and
Moscow, and to the UN's Pendergrast and Solana in Brussels.


3. (C) Ferrari presented a detailed introduction to the
points, underscoring the importance of the Middle East Peace
Process (MEPP) and Italy's commitment to the Principles
adopted by EU Ministers at Tullamore. He reiterated Italy's
belief that Sharon's plan for withdrawal from Gaza, and the
President's openings on behalf of that plan, offered a new,
and likely the only, hope for the Roadmap and resumption of
negotiations. He emphasized the importance of Israel's
following through on its commitment and shared the Italian
government's concern that a rejection by Likud of Sharon's
plan would have serious negative repercussions. Italy has
made this clear to its Israeli friends, Ferrari said.


4. (C) Ferrari called for more active Quartet and EU
involvement in future negotiations, saying the Quartet should

be prepared to contribute in political, security and economic
roles. The Quartet cannot be simply a "notary public"
undersigning other agreements, and the EU will not be content
just to hand over economic assistance without a broader role.
To ensure this, the Quartet should establish some kind of
on-the-ground mechanism, some "antennae" in Gaza, such as the
"facilitators" of the EU Special Envoy to the West Bank. To
enable all this to happen, the Quartet needs to determine
concretely what needs to be done in Gaza and how to
accomplish it. It is in regional and broader security
interests of all participants to see Gaza succeed. Italy
sees a renewed need for the concept of a Reconstruction
(Marshall) Plan for the area.


5. (C) BEGIN TEXT, ITALIAN NON-PAPER:

NON-PAPER

-- Italy is fully committed to the principles recalled by
the EU Ministers in Tullamore on April 17 last.

-- We therefore reaffirm our commitment to a negotiated
Two-State solution agreed between the Parties which would
result in a viable, contiguous, sovereign and independent
Palestinian State existing side by side in peace with an
Israel living within recognized and secure borders and our
belief that the Road Map represents the only route to achieve
such an outcome. We also recall the principle that Final
Status issues, such as borders, refugees and Jerusalem, are a
matter for negotiation and agreement between the Parties.

-- In this framework, Italy welcomes the prospect of an
Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and some settlements
in the West Bank as a significant step towards the resumption
of the implementation of the Road Map. The withdrawal of
Israeli military forces and of Israeli settlers from relevant
parts of the Occupied Territories will give to the
Palestinian Authority and to the Palestinian people an
important opportunity to move forward in the economic, social
and political reconstruction of those territories.

-- Italy recalls the five political conditions set by the EU
Council in February: compatibility with the Road Map, step
towards a two-State solution; no transfer of settlers from
Gaza to the West Bank; organized and negotiated hand-over to
the PA; Israel to facilitate the reconstruction of Gaza.

-- Italy believes that the International Community, Israel
and the Palestinian Authority share a fundamental interest in

making the Gaza Strip a successful "pilot project" of a
Palestinian efficient, democratic and peaceful
self-government. We are convinced that a failure in Gaza
would signify a serious setback and that the Quartet should
engage itself in order to make the Israeli withdrawal a first
step toward the resumption of the Road Map. We therefore
believe that the European Union and all the other relevant
international actors, and first and foremost neighboring
countries as Egypt and Jordan, should give their contribution
to ensure the prompt stabilization and reconstruction of Gaza.

-- Italy stresses that the role of the Quartet is central.
Italy recognizes the leading role played by the United
States, but at the same time believes that the active
involvement of the European Union is fundamental for the
success of the Road Map.

-- Italy believes that the conclusions of the Quartet
Principals' meeting taking place in New York on May 4 next
should express a clear commitment of the Quartet to play a
political, economic and security role face to the Israeli
withdrawal. This commitment should also provide for a clear
division of labors and of responsibilities among the Quartet
members in the different sectors involved. Italy believes
that, for this commitment to be truly effective, the Quartet
should envisage the presence on the field of facilitators, on
the example of the "Informal EU Group" assisting the EU
Special Envoy.

-- In order to engage herself, the European Union will also
need further security guarantees by the Parties: the security
of the EU personnel needed on the ground for the
reconstruction effort must be adequately ensured; the
Palestinian Authority should give assurances that no attacks
will come from Gaza after the Israeli withdrawal; Israel
should guarantee that she will not take any action which
could endanger the security of the EU personnel or bring
about the destruction of facilities which are rebuilt through
the European contribution.

-- Italy stresses the interdependence existing among the
three pillars of security, economy and good governance. The
European initiative, and more generally all international
effort, will have to take into account the needs and the
challenges arising in all these three sectors.

-- As for security, Italy underlines the relevant
contribution that could come from Jordan and, above all
Egypt. Their long-standing experience in the security needs
of the Palestinian territories, their geographical, cultural
and linguistic proximity with the Palestinian people, their
historical commitment to a fair, lasting and comprehensive
settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict make these two
countries particularly apt to give an effective contribution
in this sector. Italy stands ready to support Egyptian and
Jordanian efforts in this sector and urges a similar European
support.

-- We are also convinced that immediate and effective steps
should be taken by the Palestinian Authority in order to
proceed with the reform and the streamlining of the security
forces to be brought under the full control of an empowered
Minister of Interior and prime Minister. Italy recalls her
engagement to support the creation and training of a
Palestinian Court Police and considers that the European
Union could give a significant contribution to the training
of Palestinian civilian police. Italy further believes that,
on a longer term prospect, the MFO could be called to play a
role in patrolling and controlling the border between Gaza
and Egypt, thus allowing an Israeli withdrawal also from this
area.

-- On the economic side, Italy stresses that the
international efforts, and above all the European efforts -
which will be paramount, being the EU the first donor to the
Palestinian territories - will have to be devoted to the
immediate humanitarian and rehabilitation needs, but also to
the reconstruction of a viable Palestinian private sector and
to a long term economic development. For these reasons Italy
is committed to advocating in all the relevant multilateral
fora, and first and foremost among the G8 Countries, the need
for a prompt announcement of a Global Plan for the
Reconstruction of the Palestinian Territories, the so-called
"Marshall Plan," endorsed by the G8 in Evian.

-- Regarding the reforms of the Palestinian Authorities,
Italy recalls the renewed international engagement expressed
by the Capitals' Meeting of the Quartet Task Force on
Palestinian Reforms that was convened in Rome on December 11
last. The European Union should be ready to support an
accelerated pace of reform in all sectors by the Palestinian
Authority. Italy believes, in fact, that it is no use
rebuilding the Palestinian security apparatus if the PA's
administrative capacities are not strengthened at the same

time.

END TEXT.

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2004ROME01707 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL