IRAQ: ITALY REASSURES IT WILL NOT CUT AND RUN

C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 003226

SIPDIS


DEPT FOR NEA, EUR/WE AND S/I

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/26/2015
TAGS: PREL MOPS PGOV IZ IT IRAQI FREEDOM
SUBJECT: IRAQ: ITALY REASSURES IT WILL NOT CUT AND RUN

REF: SEPTEMBER 21 ROME DAILY REPORT

Classified By: Pol-Mil Counselor Jonathan Cohen for Reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d)


1. (C) Summary. Italian MFA officials, commenting on the
recent visit to Rome by Dhi Qar province Governor Aziz Kadum
Aluan Al Aghely, insist that Italy has no intention of
withdrawing more troops from Iraq in the near future. As
conditions permit, however, they do envision a progressive
withdrawal. End summary.


2. (C) PolOffs spoke with Gianni Bardini, MFA NATO Office
Director, on September 21, regarding statements made by Dhi
Qar province Governor Aziz Kadum Aluan Al Aghely during his
September 20 official visit to Rome regarding Italian troop
withdrawals (Ref A). Bardini said Italy had no intention of
additional troops in the near future. The recent withdrawal
of 300 troops had been possible because it had no effect on
Italy's operational ability to carry out its mission in Iraq.
Further withdrawals would only occur as the security
conditions on the ground permit, he said, and in consultation
with coalition partners and the Iraqi government. He said
the Italian government was taken by surprise by the
Governor's assertion that Italy could carry out additional
withdrawals by year's end.


3. (C) PolOff also discussed Al Aghely's comments with MFA
Iraq Task Force Director Luigi Maccotta on September 26.
Maccotta echoed Bardini's comments, noting that Al Aghely's
private remarks to MFA officials were in complete harmony
with Italy's position on troop withdrawals as well as that of
the coalition partners: immediate troop reductions are
impossible, as exiting now would only lead to chaos. Italy
will not "cut and run," Maccotta stressed. However, as the
Iraqis build up their own security forces, a progressive
withdrawal will be possible. For the time being, however,
Maccotta said, Al Aghely asked Italy to keep its troops in
Iraq.

SPOGLI


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2005ROME03226 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL