IRAQ: ITALY PRAISES DRAFT IRAQI CONSTITUTION

UNCLAS ROME 002885

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MOPS PGOV IZ IT IRAQI FREEDOM
SUBJECT: IRAQ: ITALY PRAISES DRAFT IRAQI CONSTITUTION

REF: STATE 158420


1. (U) DCM has requested an appointment to discuss reftel
demarche with the MFA's Director General for the
Mediterranean and the Middle East. In the meantime, below
are comments from PM Berlusconi and Deputy PM/FM Fini
regarding the Iraqi constitution.


2. (U) In an August 28 press statement following his meeting
with President Putin in Russia, PM Berlusconi said he and
Putin had discussed the new Iraqi constitution and were
"pleased with the Constitutional Assembly's approval." He
added that the constitution showed a "very broad" consensus
and expressed his optimism that Sunni objections would be
overcome. Furthermore, Berlusconi praised the document
itself, saying it contained "all the principles of a
democracy."


3. (U) In an August 29 press statement, FM and Deputy PM Fini
echoed these sentiments, saying the constitution "recognizes
fundamental values and principles." While calling the
failure of the Sunnis to sign the document a "negative
element," Fini nevertheless said that some Sunni political
representatives are showing some positive signals, and that
"we have to continue to use all possible diplomatic efforts
so that the Sunni community votes in the referendum." Fini
added, "the international community must work in order not to
make this great opportunity go to waste."


SPOGLI


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2005ROME02885 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED