ITALY AND THE OECD BRIBERY WORKING GROUP

C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 003257 SIPDIS PARIS FOR USOECD DEPT FOR EB/OIA WSCHOLTZ E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/26/2015 TAGS: ECON EFIN IT OECD SUBJECT: ITALY AND THE OECD BRIBERY WORKING GROUP REF: A. ROME 2011 ¶B. BROWN/REDDY EMAILS ¶C. ROME 1967 ¶D. ROME 1695 Classified By: ECMIN Scott Kilner for Reason 1.4 (b),(d). ¶1. (U) Massimo Leggeri, MFA Deputy-Director General for Multilateral Economic Affairs, called Econcounselor September 23 to ask that she convey to Washington and USOECD, Italy's continuing interest in the Vice-chair position of the OECD Working Group Against Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions. Italy was fielding a candidate, a Professor Draetta, whom Leggeri claimed was "well versed" in the issues within the Working Group's mandate. He also requested U.S. support for Draetta, whom Italy hoped might eventually assume the working group chairmanship when Pieth "rotated" from the working group. ¶2. (C) Comment. Italy still hopes Pieth will soon exit from the Working Group because of a) his earlier impolitic comments about Italy's commitment to combating bribery in international business transactions; and b) his alleged innuendoes questioning the integrity of Italy's Ministers, and the Prime Minister in particular. In earlier conversations, Justice Minister Castelli, Leggeri, and others have told us that Italy could support a candidate for Vice-chair who was not Italian. We are unsure how firm the GOI's support is for Draetta and, if there were to be another candidate for vice-chair, whether Italy could be convinced to support that candidate. End comment. SPOGLI NNNN 2005ROME03257 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL