ITALIAN MFA REQUESTS USG ASSISTANCE IN

UNCLAS ROME 002835

SIPDIS


SENSITIVE

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR, PM, AF

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MOPS PARM PREL XY IT NATO
SUBJECT: ITALIAN MFA REQUESTS USG ASSISTANCE IN
FACILITATING EXCHANGE OF DIPLOMATIC NOTES FOR PARTICIPATION
IN US-LED MILITARY EXERCISE IN AFRICA

REF: A. IIR 6 850 0389 05


B. IIR 6 850 0184 05


1. (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 7.


2. (SBU) Summary. To ensure Italian participation in an
upcoming U.S.-led military exercise in West Africa, the
Italian MFA has asked for USG assistance in paving the way
for Italy to conclude bilateral status of forces-type
agreements with the five host countries involved. In
addition to the benefits that will be accrued by the African
participants, MFA and MOD officials view the exercise as an
excellent opportunity for joint training with U.S. troops and
for improving cooperation between their own forces. End
summary.


3. (U) At the MFA's request, Pol-Mil Officer and Air Attache
attended an August 24 meeting at the MFA to discuss Italy's
participation in the West African Training Cruise exercise
scheduled to begin October 1. (See paragraph 6 for
background information.) Italian participants in the meeting
included MFA NATO Office Director Giovanni Brauzzi, NATO Desk
Officer Pier Mario Dacco, J-3 Officer Captain Giovanni
Gumiero and Dr. Beatrice Macchia from the Italian Defense
General Staff, and Luigi Scotto and Stefano Mauri from the
MFA's Africa bureau.


4. (SBU) The purpose of the meeting was to discuss expediting
Italian status of forces-type agreements with the African
host countries. The Italians have prepared diplomatic notes
that are very similar to those used by the U.S. (copy of
Italian draft faxed to EUR/WE) but that will be limited to
the time that Italian forces will be in each country. The
Italians are concerned, however, that the host governments
will not conclude these exchanges in a timely manner. (Note.
Italian forces are scheduled to depart Naples on October 1.
End note.) The Italians therefore requested that the U.S.
Embassies in Abuja, Accra, Conakry, Dakar, and Rabat help
facilitate these agreements by explaining to local
authorities that the Italian forces will be participating in
a U.S.-led military training exercise. According to the MFA,
this will avoid having Italy "start from scratch" in
concluding their bilateral agreement with each country.


5. (U) For its part, the MFA will alert its Embassy in
Washington to this issue as well as the relevant African
Embassies in Rome. After coordinating with the U.S. Embassy
in each African host country, the respective Italian
Embassies will then contact the local authorities to begin
the bilateral exchange of diplomatic notes. (Note. Italy's
situation is complicated by the fact that it does not have a
diplomatic mission in Guinea. Italy's Embassy in Dakar will
handle the exchange of notes with Conakry. Furthermore,
Italy's Military Attache in Morocco is responsible for
Senegal, and Italy has no Defense Attaches in Guinea or
Ghana. End note.)

Background


6. (U) The WATC exercise is a MARFOREUR/NAVEUR-sponsored
amphibious exercise that will take place from
October-December 2005 designed to increase the tactical and
operational capabilities of multiple West African and Gulf of
Guinea nations' amphibious forces. Exercises will be held in
Ghana, Guinea, Morocco, Nigeria, and Senegal with the
participation of local military forces. An invitation was
extended to Italy to participate by U.S. Marine Corps Forces
Europe in February. Italy plans to send 63 personnel from
the army's Serennissima regiment and the navy's San Marco
regiment. The Italians view this exercise as an excellent
opportunity not only for bilateral training with U.S. and
other troops, but also for improved cooperation between its
own forces. (Note. This will be the first time the
Serennissima and San Marco forces participate together in an
amphibious training exercise. End note.) Spanish forces also
will participate in the exercise. In addition, the Italian,
Spanish, and U.S. forces participating in WATC also will take

part in the UK-led exercise Green Osprey in Senegal. The
Netherlands and Norway will also participate in this exercise.


7. (SBU) Action requested. Post requests that Department ask
Embassies Abuja, Accra, Conakry, Dakar, and Rabat, after
discussing with their Italian counterparts, where possible,
to contact the appropriate host government officials to
notify them of the forthcoming Italian request for an
exchange of diplomatic notes, to explain that these
agreements are to allow Italian forces to participate in the
US-led WATC exercise, and to request that the host
governments expedite conclusion of the agreements.

SPOGLI


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2005ROME02835 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED