ITALY FULLY BACKS U.S. ON THIRD COMMITTEE ISSUES

UNCLAS ROME 004320 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM IT HUMAN RIGHTS SUBJECT: ITALY FULLY BACKS U.S. ON THIRD COMMITTEE ISSUES REF: (A) STATE 237932 (B) STATE 236869 (C) ROME 4192 (U) Giuseppe Calvetta, Director of the MFA Office on Human Rights, told Laborcouns November 8 that Italy fully supports the U.S. positions in refs A and B regarding human rights resolutions before the UNGA Third Committee. As an EU member, Italy is cosponsoring the resolutions on Belarus, Turkmenistan, Sudan and Zimbabwe. Italy does want to see other African states support the Sudan resolution to avoid allegations that the measure is "anti-African." They will also support us on the Iran resolution, but Calvetta noted that Italy believes that the EU and the U.S., in dealing with Iran, must focus not only on human rights but adopt a package approach that includes nuclear, terrorism and commercial issues that do not isolate human rights. He commented that we need an integrated approach to Iran, especially given the importance of the nuclear issue. On the Belarus resolution criticizing U.S. elections, he confirmed Italy's opposition. SEMBLER NNNN 2004ROME04320 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED