Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05ROME3957
2005-12-01 17:02:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rome
Cable title:  

ITALY WANTS BROADER ROLE IN AFGHANISTAN

Tags:  PREL PGOV PTER PINR AF IT AFGHANISTAN 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ROME 003957 

SIPDIS

NSC FOR AHARRIMAN, KAMEND
DEPT FOR SA/FO, AMBASSADOR QUINN, SA/PAB, S/CT, SA/A
CENTCOM FOR POLAD
STATE PASS USAID/W

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/01/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER PINR AF IT AFGHANISTAN
SUBJECT: ITALY WANTS BROADER ROLE IN AFGHANISTAN

REF: STATE 211164

Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Anna Borg, reasons 1.4 (b) and (
d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ROME 003957

SIPDIS

NSC FOR AHARRIMAN, KAMEND
DEPT FOR SA/FO, AMBASSADOR QUINN, SA/PAB, S/CT, SA/A
CENTCOM FOR POLAD
STATE PASS USAID/W

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/01/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER PINR AF IT AFGHANISTAN
SUBJECT: ITALY WANTS BROADER ROLE IN AFGHANISTAN

REF: STATE 211164

Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Anna Borg, reasons 1.4 (b) and (
d).


1. (C) Summary. MFA Director General for Asia Claudio
Pacifico told the DCM on November 29 that Italy wants to play
a larger role in Afghanistan and made an appeal for closer
cooperation on policy with the U.S. He noted that the GOI
was reassessing its participation in Afghanistan with an eye
toward improving Italy's record on judicial reform efforts,
and looking for another project after Italy gives up the ISAF
command. On the upcoming Kabul conference, Pacifico noted
that Italy plans to send a sizable delegation to the RECC as
a signal of their support and interest. End summary.


2. (C) During the DCM's courtesy call on Claudio Pacifico,
the MFA's Director General (A/S equivalent) for Asia and the
Pacific, Pacifico noted that Italy is undergoing an internal
review of its cooperation efforts in Afghanistan and would
like to discuss the future of ISAF with US officials. He
plans a trip to Washington, perhaps early next year, and
would welcome meetings with Ambassador Maureen Quinn and
others.


3. (C) Pacifico acknowledged that Italy needs to do more on
Afghan judicial reform, saying that the GOI is trying to
fine-tune its approach and focus on achievable goals. To
date Italy's efforts have been a bit disjointed, he said,
because the GOI tried to maintain a multi-track process
(i.e., build jails, train new judges, and establish legal
codes). He hinted that part of the solution may be closer
cooperation with similar US efforts. His understanding was
that the USG has spent about USD 50-60 million on judicial
reform in Afghanistan and suggested enhanced US-Italy
coordination on the ground. There is room for improvement,
he noted, and Italy would like to take the first step.


4. (C) Pacifico would also like to discuss with US
counterparts the future of ISAF and the possibility that
Italy could lead another Provincial Reconstruction Team in
Farah after its ISAF command rotation is up. He said that it
is Italy's understanding that the U.S. at one time was
interested in Italian leadership of the Farah PRT, but now
appears to have changed its mind. Pacifico acknowledged that
the Farah area is more difficult than Herat, but Italy
remains interested. He noted, however, that Italy does not
want to make the Farah PRT a purely military endeavor.


5. (C) Pacifico raised the issue of NATO's Senior Civilian
Representative (SCR) in Afghanistan. He noted that the
current Turkish SCR would like to step down after a awhile,
perhaps six months or more, and Italy plans to make a pitch
for the job. Italy wants the job, Pacifico argued, because
it is committed in Afghanistan and does not hold a similar
significant international post. He scoffed at the internal
networking that yielded a Canadian candidate (note: probably
Christopher Alexander),who then went on to take another
international post. If NATO wants to consolidate its role in
Afghanistan, Pacifico argued, it needs a proper SCR.


6. (C) The DCM took the opportunity to brief Pacifico on the
upcoming Kabul conference using Reftel talking points.
Pacifico confirmed that the delegation would be led by
Italy's Special Envoy to Afghanistan Anna Della Croce, and
would include members of the MFA's Cooperation and
Development Office. In closing, Pacifico noted that U/S
Boniver was interested in visiting Kabul to participate in
the ceremonies to inaugurate the new Afghan parliament
on/about December 18, but now it appears that a ceremony is
no longer in the works. She may still participate if such a
ceremony is organized.
SPOGLI