Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05ROME3591
2005-10-26 14:38:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rome
Cable title:  

ITALY: CHOD CALLS SIGONELLA TA "ABSOLUTE

Tags:  PREL MOPS MARR IT NATO FORCES IN ITALY 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 003591 

SIPDIS

DEPT. FOR PM AND L

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/21/2015
TAGS: PREL MOPS MARR IT NATO FORCES IN ITALY
SUBJECT: ITALY: CHOD CALLS SIGONELLA TA "ABSOLUTE
NECESSITY" TO CONTINUING U.S. OPERATIONS ON BASES IN ITALY

REF: ROME 2179

Classified By: DCM Anna Borg. Reasons 1.4 b and d.

C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 003591

SIPDIS

DEPT. FOR PM AND L

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/21/2015
TAGS: PREL MOPS MARR IT NATO FORCES IN ITALY
SUBJECT: ITALY: CHOD CALLS SIGONELLA TA "ABSOLUTE
NECESSITY" TO CONTINUING U.S. OPERATIONS ON BASES IN ITALY

REF: ROME 2179

Classified By: DCM Anna Borg. Reasons 1.4 b and d.


1. (C) In an October 19 meeting with visiting Deputy
Assistant Secretary of Defense Daniel Fata, Italian Chief of
Defense ADM Di Paola said that concluding the Sigonella
Technical Arrangement in the near future was "an absolute
necessity." Di Paola said that, if there were to be a change
of government in Italy following next April's elections,
without a signed Sig TA it would become impossible
politically for the U.S. to continue operating with the
relatively free hand that we now have on Italian bases. Di
Paola emphasized that the Sig TA was needed as a framework to
show that the U.S. understands that its forces are operating
on Italian territory, respect Italian sovereignty, and are on
Italian bases because this is mutually beneficial to our
countries, as friends and Allies. To underscore his point,
Di Paola alluded to Sicilian novelist Guiseppe Lampedusa,
saying "something has to change" (i.e., the Sig TA must get
signed) "in order for nothing to change" (i.e., U.S.
operations on Italian bases continue unfettered).


2. (C) As Post urged in Reftel, to preserve our excellent
mil-mil relationship and to ensure continuing unfettered
operations for U.S. forces on bases in Italy, we should do
everything we can to get the Sig TA approved for signature
before the next U.S.-Italy Joint Military Commission (JMC)
meeting, scheduled for Nov. 16-17. The Italian Defense
General Staff will require several days to staff the Sig TA
for Italian approval for signature. Therefore, we strongly
urge that final approval be given by the U.S. within the next
few weeks, and at least a week in advance of the November
JMC.


3. (U) DASD Fata has cleared this message.
SPOGLI