NATO/IRAQ: ITALY OPPOSED TO CAVEATS ON NATO IRAQ

C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 004252

SIPDIS


DEPT FOR NEA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/04/2014
TAGS: PREL MARR IZ IT NATO IRAQI FREEDOM
SUBJECT: NATO/IRAQ: ITALY OPPOSED TO CAVEATS ON NATO IRAQ
MISSION, MAY INCREASE TRAINING CONTRIBUTION

REF: STATE 236268

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


1. (C) Summary. Pol-Mil Officers discussed reftel demarche
with Giovanni Brauzzi, head of the MFA's NATO office, on
November 4. Brauzzi said that Italy agrees with the
principle that NATO member states should not impose national
caveats on agreed NATO missions, but noted that in practical
terms it would be difficult for countries who were opposed to
sending their troops to Iraq to agree to provide personnel
for the NATO Training Mission in Iraq (NTM-I),even under a
NATO umbrella. Italy may consider increasing the number of
Italian trainers in Iraq and the size of the group to be
trained in Italy. End summary.


2. (C) Noting that Italy had removed all of its caveats in
the Balkans and had none in Iraq, Brauzzi acknowledged that
the cumulative effect of national caveats placed considerable
constraints on force commanders. He said Italy was in "one
hundred percent" agreement with the principle that NATO
missions should not be constrained by national caveats. In
the specific case of Iraq, however, it had been difficult to
get full NATO agreement even for a training mission due to
several member states' reluctance to see their forces
involved on the ground. In practical terms it would be very
difficult to convince them to lift those caveats.


3. (C) Of the specific countries that have invoked national
caveats, Brauzzi cautioned us to tread softly with respect to
France and Germany. He also thought Spain would be
problematic, but noted that Luxembourg was seeking a more
pro-Atlantic profile and might be receptive to our arguments.
Brauzzi also noted that the Icelandic Foreign Minister would
be in Rome soon, which might present an opportunity for Italy
to raise the issue. Brauzzi will raise reftel points with
MOD and senior MFA officials to see whether Italy can agree
to make similar demarches with the eight countries listed.


4. (C) Regarding Italy's contributions to the NTM-I, Brauzzi
said that Italy may add a few more trainers to the 15
currently in Iraq at the upcoming force generation
conference. It will not, he said, supply any personnel for
force protection. He also said Italy could consider
enlarging the group of 60 Iraqi military and 20 civilian
personnel set to receive training in Italy. Italy probably
will not be able to provide equipment due to legal and
financial constraints.


5. (C) Brauzzi noted that the EU is pursuing, under its
European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP),a complementary
initiative in Iraq in the form of a civilian mission
targeting the rule of law and police training. The EU is
still debating whether this mission should occur inside or
outside of Iraq.

BAGHDAD MINIMIZE CONSIDERED


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2004ROME04252 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL