ITALY REFUSES PERMISSION TO DOE TEAM

UNCLAS ROME 003536

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OTRA KNNP ENRG PTER GM IT
SUBJECT: ITALY REFUSES PERMISSION TO DOE TEAM

REF: STATE 194562


1. (SBU) Econoff delivered reftel request to General Alberto
Ficuciello, Military Advisor to Prime Minister Silvio
Berlusconi. Ficuciello was familiar with the details of this
case, and pleasantly, but firmly stated that the GOI did not
need, nor would it accept at this time, DOE's offer to send a
team with specialized equipment. Ficuciello thanked DOE for
the offer and held open the possibility of Italy requesting
assistance at a later date.


2. (SBU) Polmiloff spoke separately to MFA Disarmament, Arms
Control, and Non-Proliferation Office Director Fillipo
Formica. Formica confirmed that Italy was arranging
inspection of the boats through established PSI procedures.
All channels of communication were functioning well within
the terms of those procedures, Formica said, and Italy does
not expect to need assistance from DOE personnel. Formica
stressed that PSI mechanisms are working well in this case.
He finished by requesting that the U.S. consult well in
advance with Italy before making plans to send special
personnel in the event of a future similar case.
SPOGLI