PSI: ITALY STUDYING SUA AMENDMENTS

UNCLAS ROME 000688

SIPDIS


STATE FOR T, NP/.RA, NEA AND EUR/WE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EWWT PREL PARM MNUC KNNP IT MARITIME
SUBJECT: PSI: ITALY STUDYING SUA AMENDMENTS

REF: STATE 17357

(U) THIS CABLE IS SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. PLEASE PROTECT
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2. EMBASSY OFFICERS PRESENTED REFTEL POINTS TO OFFICIALS OF
THE MINISTRIES OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRANSPORT, STRESSING
THE NEED TO AMEND THE SUPPRESION OF UNLAWFUL ACTS AGAINST
SAFETY OF MARITIME NAVIGATION (SUA) CONVENTION TO CRIMINALIZE
WMD TRANSPORT.


3. TRANSPORT MINISTRY DIRECTOR FOR MARITIME AFFAIRS, COSIMO
CALIENDO, TOLD SCIENCE COUNSELOR FEBRUARY 17 THAT ITALY FULLY
SUPPORTED THE GOAL OF THE U.S. EFFORT. HOWEVER, HE ADDED, IT
WAS NECESSARY TO FIND A WAY TO ACHIEVE THIS GOAL WITH THE
LEAST NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THE MARITIME SECTOR. EXPERTS FROM
THE MINISTRIES OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRANSPORT WERE STILL
STUDYING THE PROPOSAL AND ITS POTENTIAL IMPACT.
SEMBLER

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2004ROME00688 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED