ITALY: TOUR D'HORIZON ON EXPORT CONTROL ISSUES

S E C R E T ROME 003146 SIPDIS NOFORN STATE: NP/ECNP, NP/CBM, EUR/PRA E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/19/2015 TAGS: ENRG ETRD ETTC FR IN IR IT KNNP KSCA MNUC NL PARM PREL TRGY TSPA MTCR SUBJECT: ITALY: TOUR D'HORIZON ON EXPORT CONTROL ISSUES REGARDING INDIA, NORTH KOREA, AND IRAN REF: A. ROME 3089 ¶B. STATE 166864 ¶C. STATE 164496 ¶D. STATE 163225 ¶E. STATE 160777 Classified By: A/ECMIN KATHLEEN M. REDDY FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) AND (d) INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (S) On September 14, 2005, A/ECMIN and Econoff called on Enrico Padula, MFA Non-proliferation Officer, to present demarches on India (refs A, B, and D),North Korea (ref E), and Iran, (ref C). INDIA -------------- ¶2. (S) A/ECMIN reviewed ref B and D points on the U.S. intent to work toward full international civil nuclear energy cooperation with India and our desire to permit such cooperation within a Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) context. Padula thought the initiative would be a lead issue at the October NSG meeting in Vienna. He is currently preparing a paper on this issue for GOI consideration and thought the challenge would be rectifying the U.S. position with NSG guidelines. A/ECMIN stressed that the overall U.S. approach was to bring India into the NSG fold, thereby subjecting India to the guidelines, regulations, and controls of the NSG regime. A/ECMIN offered to return to address any questions Padula might have in preparation for the October meeting. ¶3. (S) Separately, the Ambassador raised this Presidential initiative with Foreign Minister Fini September 15 (ref A). Fini was not briefed on the issue, but his Chef de Cabinet (Giampiero Massolo) said the MFA would review the points and respond as soon as possible. North Korea -------------- ¶4. (S) Padula said that the head of the Italian delegation to the Madrid MTCR Plenary and MFA Director General Carlo Tripepi had received the U.S.-circulated proposal on North Korea (ref E). Padula could not say what position Tripepi would take on the U.S. proposal in Madrid. Iran -------------- ¶5. (S) A/ECMIN reviewed U.S. concerns regarding Iran's attempting to procure unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)/cruise missile propulsion components from a Dutch firm and that firm's attempt to procure technology from an Italian firm (Zanzottera Technologies SRL). She said the USG hoped Italy could use this information to prevent Iran from acquiring sensitive technology from that firm. ¶6. (S) Padula thought that even if the components were not listed as either military or dual-use, the GOI could use the catch-all clause to stop such sales. He said he would investigate any such possible procurement attempts and inform us of his findings. SPOGLI NNNN 2005ROME03146 - Classification: SECRET