DEMARCHE ON US GLOBAL DEFENSE POSTURE REVIEW:

C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 003138

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/12/2014
TAGS: PARM PREL KPAO IT NATO GLOBAL DEFENSE
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON US GLOBAL DEFENSE POSTURE REVIEW:
ITALIAN RESPONSE

REF: A. STATE 174698


B. ROME 2631

Classified By: A/DCM Tom Countryman for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).


1. (C) A/DCM and Poloff delivered reftel demarche to the
Italian MFA and Prime Minister's office on August 13. The
MFA, which was already aware of the main elements of GDPR,
urged that the President's and other USG public statements
stress that decisions will be made in close consultation
with allies and fully consistent with existing treaty
obligations. End summary.


2. (C) A/DCM and Poloff delivered Ref A demarche to MFA
Acting DG for Multilateral Political Affairs Claudio
Bisogniero and Acting NATO Office Director Carlo Lo Cascio.
Bisogniero, whowill forward the message to FM Frattini's
office said he appreciated the U.S.' informing Italy
beorehand of President Bush's speech, noting that
eposturing is a "delicate issue." He said that Itly looks
forward to the resumption of bilateral alks this fall. He
further stated that Italy unerstands that the US. remains
committed to workig within the framework of existing
treaties and s not retreating into a fortress
America. To enure that GDPR goes over well with Italian
publicopinion, however, the United States needs to make t
clear that any changes will occur in close consltation
with NATO and other allies and fully conistent with NATO and
other treaty obligations.


3. (C) Noting that DG for Multilateral Political Affairs
Giampiero Massolo had discussed the issue with Italian Chief
of Defense (CHOD) Admiral Giampaolo di Paola the
previous day, Bisogniero commented that one issue that the
MFA has been discussing with the MOD -- and that A/S
Bloomfield raised during his June visit to Rome (Ref B) --
was whether the speech on restructuring would focus on
freedom of maneuver. A/DCM replied that his understanding
was that the President would describe a shift from a heavy
ground presence to more flexible forces, but would probably
not address freedom of deployment in his speech.


4. (C) Our MFA interlocutors made note of the fact that some
countries might be mentioned by name in the President's
speech and sought confirmation that Italy -- at least in
terms of specific plans -- would not be mentioned.
Bisogniero also asked specifically about
Germany and North Korea. A/DCM replied that while the speech
would be general in nature and not get into the details of
specific countries, Germany might be mentioned due to the
significant reduction in troops there. A/DCM emphasized that
this reduction was not politically motivated. South Korea
might also be mentioned, but A/DCM stressed that any movement
there does not signal a reduction in the U.S. commitment to
defend South Korea.


5. (C) PolOff also delivered the talking points to PM
Diplomatic Advisor Bruno Archi. Archi, who had already been
in touch with Bisogniero on the issue, said the PM's office
would consult with the MFA and convey our message to PM
Berlusconi. (Note. The PM is currently vacationing at his
summer residence in Sardinia, where he will be joined by
British PM Tony Blair August 16-17. End note.)

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2004ROME03138 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL