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


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2005ROME03257 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL