Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05ROME2937
2005-09-02 17:07:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rome
Cable title:  

IRAQ: ITALY REMAINS COMMITTED ON ALL FRONTS, BUT

Tags:  PREL MOPS PGOV IZ IT IRAQI FREEDOM 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 002937 

SIPDIS


DEPT FOR NEA, EUR/WE AND S/I

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/01/2015
TAGS: PREL MOPS PGOV IZ IT IRAQI FREEDOM
SUBJECT: IRAQ: ITALY REMAINS COMMITTED ON ALL FRONTS, BUT
CONCERNED ABOUT POLITICAL PROCESS

REF: A. STATE 158420


B. ROME 2885

C. ROME 2349

D. ROME 2348

E. ROME 1484

F. ROME 902

G. ROME 1635

Classified By: DCM Anna Borg for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 002937

SIPDIS


DEPT FOR NEA, EUR/WE AND S/I

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/01/2015
TAGS: PREL MOPS PGOV IZ IT IRAQI FREEDOM
SUBJECT: IRAQ: ITALY REMAINS COMMITTED ON ALL FRONTS, BUT
CONCERNED ABOUT POLITICAL PROCESS

REF: A. STATE 158420


B. ROME 2885

C. ROME 2349

D. ROME 2348

E. ROME 1484

F. ROME 902

G. ROME 1635

Classified By: DCM Anna Borg for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary. Though Italian leaders publicly praised the
signing of the new Iraqi constitution (Ref B),MFA officials
privately told us they have deep cause for concern,
especially regarding what they perceive as the lack of
inclusiveness of all ethnic groups in the political process.
However, Italy remains firmly committed on all fronts:
militarily, politically, and economically. MFA officials are
contemplating new reconstruction strategies aimed at
promoting national reconciliation and requested more
consultations with US officials to brainstorm on the way
ahead, with UNGA presenting a possible first opportunity.
End summary.


2. (C) DCM and PolOff delivered Ref A demarche to MFA
Director General for the Mediterranean and Middle East
Riccardo Sessa and Iraq Task Force Director Luigi Maccotta on
September 1. Describing the situation in Iraq as "one of the
worst" in the region, Sessa distinguished between public
comments and reality. At the public level, he said, it was
necessary to hail the draft constitution as an historic
achievement and a success story. Privately, however, he
said, we must be realistic and admit that the results so far
are not totally satisfactory. Sessa cited the lack of unity
among ethnic groups -- the "inclusiveness factor" -- as the
main challenge facing Iraq. Maccotta agreed, saying that
although Italy hoped the political timetable laid out by the
TAL would work, it was now clear that it might not, and the
focus now should be on preserving the political process --
which he thought was more important than any focus on
specific dates. To do this, we need to help create a
"national reconciliation," he said, by encouraging more
dialogue among Iraqis.


3. (C) Noting that Italy had supported the military
intervention against Saddam Hussein, then provided troops for
peacekeeping purposes immediately after the hostilities
ended, and today is the third largest contingent in Iraq,
Sessa said Italy needs a success story to show its highly
skeptical public that helping the Iraqis was the right
decision. To make that success story happen, he said, we
need to enter into a new phase of Iraq reconstruction aimed
at building a national identity. One idea might be to hold
informal gatherings of representatives from different groups,
though he admitted this would be easier said than done. He
added that FM Zebari, during his recent visit to Italy, was
fairly positive about the constitution but very critical of
the Sunni component, which he said lacked unified leadership
and good leaders.


4. (C) Sessa said the three main coalition partners (US, UK,
and Italy) need to engage in deep consultations on a strategy
to help build this national reconciliation. Noting the
usefulness of past discussions with former Senior Advisor and
Iraq Policy Coordinator Ambassador Richard Jones (Refs C, D,
E),Maccotta said that longer and more frequent consultations
would be useful. He suggested a "closed door brainstorming"
session with new S/I Jeffrey to discuss the way ahead.
Meanwhile, Italy is doing its part to assist with the
reconstruction process, Sessa said, and will soon host two
two-week training sessions, one for spokespersons from
various Iraqi ministries, and one for women in civil society.



5. (C) Sessa also reconfirmed Italy's troop commitment in
Iraq, saying, "leaving Iraq now would be leaving it in
chaos." He added that Iraqi FM Zebari had stressed privately
to FM Fini that sending the wrong public message on troop
withdrawals or reconfiguration of contingents only helps the
insurgents. (Note. At the September 1 NATO KFOR change of
command ceremony in Pristina, Defense Minister Martino did
speak of reconfiguration, confirming that the expected
withdrawal of 300 troops announced by PM Berlusconi last
March (Refs F and G) had already started, but stressed that
the increased Iraqi security capabilities made it possible


for the Italians to continue performing their mission with
fewer troops. Martino also criticized opposition leader
Prodi's comments as irresponsible for calling Italy's troops
occupation forces and calling for their immediate withdrawal.
End note.)

SPOGLI


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2005ROME02937 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL