TERRORIST FINANCE: ABU SSAYYAF GROUP

S E C R E T ROME 003890

SIPDIS

NOFORN

STATE FOR EB/ESC/TFS:DBROWN, S/CT:TKUSHNER,
IO/PSC:BFITZGERALD, EUR/PGI:LREASOR; EUR/ERA:KSHEARER,
EUR/WE:AYOUNG
NSC FOR JZARATE
TREASURY FOR DGLASER
OFAC FOR RWERNER, PLURIE, JYANG
DOJ FOR FEDERAL PROGRAMS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/23/2015
TAGS: EFIN ETTC IT KTFN PREL PTER ANTITERRORISM FORCE PROTECTION
SUBJECT: TERRORIST FINANCE: ABU SSAYYAF GROUP
PRENOTIFICATION AND HOTEL NASCO

REF: A. STATE 210832


B. ROME 03287

Classified By: DCM ANNA BORG BASED ON E.O. 12958 REASONS 1.4 B AND D


1. (S/NF) A/ECCOUNS and ECONOFF delivered November 23 Abu
Sayyaf Group (ASG) prenotification (ref A) to Cristina
Collura, Director, Prevention of Financial Crimes, Ministry
of Finance (MOF),and to Giampolo Cantini, MFA Office
Director for G8 and Global Issues. Both MOF and MFA
officials said they would share the information with
appropriate Italian law enforcement, intelligence, and
financial oversight entities. Cantini said he did not expect
much information to be forthcoming on the three ASG names.



2. (S/NF) Both Collura and Cantini brought up recent
miscommunication on Italy's UNSC 1267 notification on Hotel
Nasco (reftel B) and the embarrassment caused to Italy at the
United Nations. Cantini said the miscues on Hotel Nasco,
coming on the heals of the U.S. problems providing a timely
response to Italy's July prenotification "concerned and
disappointed" Italy. He said Italy takes the United Nations
very seriously, and any "loss of public face" at the UN is
deeply embarrassing. He informed A/ECCOUNS that Italy must
consider suspending submission to the 1267 Committee of the
two lists Italy was preparing; as things currently stand, he
said, "there is no point." He suggested that Italy and the
United States review procedures for pre-notifications and
indicated that in the future Italy may require a letter of
support from the United States before submitting additional
names to the 1267 Committee.


3. (S/NF) A/ECCOUNS responded that the United States also
takes the UN very seriously and precisely for that reason
must weigh carefully a precedent-setting proposal, such as
that of Italy on Hotel Nasco. A/ECCOUNS said the United
States highly values Italy as a partner in combating
terrorism, and acknowledged that the two recent miscues
suggested room for smoother coordination. He suggested that
Embassy Rome could host a video conference with MFA and MOF
officials and their counterparts in Washington to improve
communication flow. Cantini agreed that a DVC would be
helpful.
SPOGLI