Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04ROME3190
2004-08-18 13:43:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rome
Cable title:  

BLAIR-BERLUSCONI VACATION-VISIT CONTINUES - NO

Tags:  PREL IZ IT IRAQI FREEDOM 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 003190 

SIPDIS


DEPT FOR NEA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/17/2014
TAGS: PREL IZ IT IRAQI FREEDOM
SUBJECT: BLAIR-BERLUSCONI VACATION-VISIT CONTINUES - NO
TRUTH TO PRESS REPORTS THAT ITALY WILL ASSUME MEDIATING
ROLE IN AL-NAJAF

Classified By: POL M/C Tom Countryman for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 003190

SIPDIS


DEPT FOR NEA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/17/2014
TAGS: PREL IZ IT IRAQI FREEDOM
SUBJECT: BLAIR-BERLUSCONI VACATION-VISIT CONTINUES - NO
TRUTH TO PRESS REPORTS THAT ITALY WILL ASSUME MEDIATING
ROLE IN AL-NAJAF

Classified By: POL M/C Tom Countryman for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Prime Ministers Berlusconi and Blair and their wives
continue to enjoy their vacation at Berlusconi's home in
Sardinia. Italian press has reported extensively on their
activities. Despite speculation from throughout the Italian
media that the PMs discussed a role for Italy as "mediator"
between the US and insurgents at Al-Najaf, we have confirmed
that the Government of Italy has no interest in acting in
such a capacity. One of Berlusconi's deputy-diplomatic
advisors, who is in regular contact with senior staff with
Berlusconi in Sardinia, emphasized that Italy does of course
support a peaceful conclusion to the fighting and loss of
life in Al-Najaf, but that this must come about by Al-Sadr
and his supporters laying down their arms. He pointed out
that the fighting is an internal Iraqi issue and any request
for mediation or "good offices" would have to be made by the
Iraqi government.


2. (C) We believe that the ever-inventive Italian press,
looking to enliven an otherwise slow summer season for news,
has seized upon a statement issued yesterday by a Vatican
spokesperson indicating that "if asked, the Holy Father will
willingly agree" to mediate in Al-Najaf. Putting two and two
together and making six, the press is most likely extending
such a possibility to the two leaders vacationing in
Sardinia. Adding fuel to the media fire was the fact that
the PMs had a telephone conversation with President Bush,
notwithstanding the fact that neither the Prime Ministers'
nor the White House's statements on the call mentioned
anything about mediation.


3. (U) The US. Embassy to the Holy See will report septel on
the Vatican's position on this issue.

BAGHDAD MINIMIZE CONSIDERED

HARDT


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2004ROME03190 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL