Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05ROME3632
2005-10-31 06:19:00
SECRET
Embassy Rome
Cable title:
PM BERLUSCONI'S FOCUS WILL BE IRAQ TROOP LEVELS
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
S E C R E T ROME 003632
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/27/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS IZ IT IRAQI FREEDOM
SUBJECT: PM BERLUSCONI'S FOCUS WILL BE IRAQ TROOP LEVELS
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald Spogli for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
S E C R E T ROME 003632
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/27/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS IZ IT IRAQI FREEDOM
SUBJECT: PM BERLUSCONI'S FOCUS WILL BE IRAQ TROOP LEVELS
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald Spogli for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (U) The Ambassador called on PM Silvio Berlusconi on the
eve of Berlusconi's trip to Washington for his meeting with
POTUS. Berlusconi was accompanied by Under Secretary for
the Council of Ministers Gianni Letta, Special Assistant
Valentino Valenti, Diplomatic Counselor Gianpaolo Scarante
and Minister for EU Policy Giorgio LaMalfa.
2. (S) The Ambassador asked Berlusconi what major issues he
wished to cover in his October 31 meeting with the
President. Berlusconi, who is already fully engaged in
national campaigns scheduled for next spring, said he wants
to discuss a "success strategy" in Iraq. He continued that
Italy has rotated many soldiers through Iraq with
relatively few serious incidents and none recently.
3. (S) Berlusconi said he wants to begin a reduction of
troops. His goal is to have fewer troops in Iraq
(currently 2,982) by the April 9, 2006 national elections
than Italy now has stationed in either Kosovo (3,006) or
Afghanistan (2,172). Berlusconi wants Iraq to be the
smallest of the three peacekeeping missions.
4. (S) The Ambassador pressed on other issues Berlusconi
might wish to raise and questioned whether Italy would be
able to maintain its overseas troop commitments in light of
proposed cuts to the defense budget. Berlusconi waived
aside the concern and repeated that the only significant
issue he wishes to discuss with POTUS is a "success
strategy" for Iraq.
5. (SBU) In his public statements, the Italian PM
repeatedly declined to be pinned down on any timetable for
troop reductions. He has said only that he would be
discussing Iraq with POTUS and that any changes would be
gradual and fully agreed among allies in Iraq and with the
government of Iraq. His formulation has been to speak in
terms of a "success strategy" that will move Iraq further
toward a stable democracy, not an "exit strategy."
SPOGLI
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/27/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS IZ IT IRAQI FREEDOM
SUBJECT: PM BERLUSCONI'S FOCUS WILL BE IRAQ TROOP LEVELS
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald Spogli for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (U) The Ambassador called on PM Silvio Berlusconi on the
eve of Berlusconi's trip to Washington for his meeting with
POTUS. Berlusconi was accompanied by Under Secretary for
the Council of Ministers Gianni Letta, Special Assistant
Valentino Valenti, Diplomatic Counselor Gianpaolo Scarante
and Minister for EU Policy Giorgio LaMalfa.
2. (S) The Ambassador asked Berlusconi what major issues he
wished to cover in his October 31 meeting with the
President. Berlusconi, who is already fully engaged in
national campaigns scheduled for next spring, said he wants
to discuss a "success strategy" in Iraq. He continued that
Italy has rotated many soldiers through Iraq with
relatively few serious incidents and none recently.
3. (S) Berlusconi said he wants to begin a reduction of
troops. His goal is to have fewer troops in Iraq
(currently 2,982) by the April 9, 2006 national elections
than Italy now has stationed in either Kosovo (3,006) or
Afghanistan (2,172). Berlusconi wants Iraq to be the
smallest of the three peacekeeping missions.
4. (S) The Ambassador pressed on other issues Berlusconi
might wish to raise and questioned whether Italy would be
able to maintain its overseas troop commitments in light of
proposed cuts to the defense budget. Berlusconi waived
aside the concern and repeated that the only significant
issue he wishes to discuss with POTUS is a "success
strategy" for Iraq.
5. (SBU) In his public statements, the Italian PM
repeatedly declined to be pinned down on any timetable for
troop reductions. He has said only that he would be
discussing Iraq with POTUS and that any changes would be
gradual and fully agreed among allies in Iraq and with the
government of Iraq. His formulation has been to speak in
terms of a "success strategy" that will move Iraq further
toward a stable democracy, not an "exit strategy."
SPOGLI