Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04ROME3567
2004-09-17 06:54:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rome
Cable title:  

ITALY-ERITREA: MESSAGE ON BORDER ISSUE FALLS ON

Tags:  PREL ET ER IT UNMEE 
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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 003567 

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/17/2014
TAGS: PREL ET ER IT UNMEE
SUBJECT: ITALY-ERITREA: MESSAGE ON BORDER ISSUE FALLS ON
DEAF EARS.


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

C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 003567

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/17/2014
TAGS: PREL ET ER IT UNMEE
SUBJECT: ITALY-ERITREA: MESSAGE ON BORDER ISSUE FALLS ON
DEAF EARS.


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


1. (U) Fabrizio Pignatelli, MFA East Africa Office Director,
briefed PolOff on the recent meeting between Italian Foreign
Minister Franco Frattini and Eritrean Foreign Minister Ali
Said Abdella. Pignatelli said that the ministers focused
primarily on the peace process between Eritrea and Ethiopia
and the implementation of the decision reached by the
International Commission on Borders.


2. (C) Pignatelli stated that although Italy is sympathetic
to the Eritrean position, FM Frattini stressed the need for
Asmara to demonstrate some openness towards the visit of UN
Special Envoy Axworthy as a way to promote dialogue and
increase confidence in the process. Pignatelli said that this
message had been delivered before but that it continues to
fall on deaf ears. He expressed frustration, stating that the
Eritreans "did not show any understanding for our approach
and are not willing to make any concessions." Because of
this stubborn attitude, Pignatelli was not optimistic that
Axworthy would be welcomed in Asmara nor that the two parties
would be prepared to begin a dialogue anytime soon.



3. (C) Regarding the Ethiopians, Pignatelli said that Italy
has also called on them to promote greater openness and
dialogue but that they have not actively pressed the
Ethiopians recently on the International Commission on
Borders' decisions. He stated that the Italian approach
towards both parties, notwithstanding Italy's support of the
Eritrean position, is more or less the same: urging openness
and dialogue to keep the process moving forward.

Visit Rome's Classified Website:
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2004ROME03567 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL