ROME TERRORISM FINANCE COORDINATION OFFICER

UNCLAS ROME 003539 SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR EB/ESC/TFS:JEAN CLARK, S/CT:TODD KUSHNER, NL/C/CP:STEVEN PETERSON, IO/PHO:BETSY FITZGERALD, EUR/ERA, EUR/PGI, EUR/WE TREASURY FOR OFAC:PAUL LURIE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EFIN ETTC IT KTFN KVPR PREL PTER ANTITERRORISM FORCE PROTECTION SUBJECT: ROME TERRORISM FINANCE COORDINATION OFFICER REF: A. ROME 03479 (NOTAL) ¶B. STATE 175637 ¶1. (SBU) The Terrorism Finance Coordination Officer (TFCO) at Embassy Rome is: Scott Kilner Economic Minister-Counselor Ph: 39 06 4674-2107 Fax: 39 06 4674-2398 E-Mail: KilnerSF@State.Gov The Deputy TFCO is: Richard Boly Economic Officer Ph: 39 06 4674-2320 Fax: 39 06 4674-2663 E-Mail: BolyRC@State.Gov ¶2. (SBU) Formal mission coordination on terrorism finance is accomplished in the Homeland Security/Law Enforcement working group, held every two weeks. This meeting is chaired by the Ambassador, or in his absence the DCM, and includes all relevant Mission agencies. Terrorism finance is also addressed in the Visas Viper Committee, which is chaired by the DCM. ¶3. (SBU) Post reporting and operational activities related to terrorism finance benefit from a close and collegial relationship among reporting, law enforcement and other Embassy officers following terrorism finance. Reporting cables are cleared widely among these officers. Embassy Rome works closely with constituent posts, especially Consulate General Milan, located in Italy's financial capital, to follow the issue regionally. ¶4. (SBU) After the United States, Italy has submitted more names to the UNSC 1267 Committee for asset freezing than any other country. (Comment: Italy has submitted over a third of all the names on the 1267 Committee list of individuals.) We can significantly strengthen our ability to work effectively with Italy on terrorism finance and money laundering through increased policy-level dialogue as demonstrated by the September 27-28 visit to Rome by Treasury U/S for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Stuart Levey, (ref A). Embassy Rome would strongly support future visits by U/S Levey and other senior policy makers on terrorism finance. ¶5. (SBU) The TFCO arrived at post before FSI began offering PE-141, Combating Terrorist Financing. The Deputy TFCO, at post's urging, did take this course prior to assuming his current position, as did the officer covering terrorism in the political section. Like other EU member states, Italy's TF activities are heavily influenced by policies and decisions taken by EU institutions. Post appreciates existing coordination by EUR/ERA, EUR/PGI, EB/ESC/TFS, as well as USEU and our Mission in the rotating EU presidency country (currently, the UK). SPOGLI