TFUS01: PRIORITY AREAS LIST DELIVERED; ITALY HOPES

UNCLAS ROME 002938 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AEMR EAID PREL US IT AVIATION SUBJECT: TFUS01: PRIORITY AREAS LIST DELIVERED; ITALY HOPES TO PROCEED WITH RELIEF FLIGHTS SEPT 4 REF: A. STATE 163366 ¶B. STATE 163207 ¶C. ROME 2925 ¶1. Embassy delivered ref A points on USG priorities to Agostino Miozzo, Katrina relief coordinator for the GOI's Department of Civil Protection. Ambassador Spogli personally thanked Prime Minister Berlusconi September 2 for Italy's offer of assistance. The Embassy also issued a press release September 2 recognizing the Italian offer and expressing U.S. appreciation. ¶2. Miozzo phoned Econoff the morning of September 4 to convey that the GOI had received word via its Embassy in Washington that the USG would accept Italy's offer to airlift relief supplies. Miozzo said the Italian Embassy was in direct contact with FEMA regarding the flights. The GOI has two C-130 aircraft loaded and ready to go as early as the afternoon of September 4. Italy, Miozzo added, will also send a "Falcon" jet with some experts to coordinate the delivery. Altogether, the GOI expects to send 10 experts along with the aid delivery. ¶3. Miozzo stated that the GOI is still awaiting word on what airport the supplies should be flown into. Econoff said the Embassy had not received any information on this question and that such guidance would most likely be transmitted directly from FEMA via the Italian Embassy in Washington. ¶4. Miozzo also asked about visa requirements for the 10 Italians, some of whom have official passports, while others have private ones. Econoff, drawing on Ref B guidance, informed Miozzo that the USG was waiving visa requirements for officials traveling to the U.S. in connection with hurricane relief operations. (Note: Italy is a visa waiver country. End note.) Miozzo will email Embassy with name, dob, ppt#, etc. of the Italian team. Embassy will transmit this information to the task force septel. SPOGLI NNNN 2005ROME02938 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED