ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER CONDEMNS ASSASSINATION OF

UNCLAS ROME 004047 SIPDIS DEPT FOR NEA, EUR/WE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER LE SY IT UN SUBJECT: ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER CONDEMNS ASSASSINATION OF GEBRAN TUENI REF: STATE 223709 ¶1. (U) Post delivered reftel statements to the MFA and Prime Minister's office on December 13. Foreign Minister Fini had already issued a statement condemning the assassination on December 12. Embassy translation of Fini's statement is provided below. ¶2. Begin text. Italy strongly condemns and reproves the attack in Beirut that cost the life of Gebran Tueni, whom we remember for the courage in which he always supported the idea of a sovereign and independent Lebanon. There must be end an to terrorist violence, which in all its horror returned to strike a symbol of liberty right at a time when Lebanese democracy is proceeding with great courage towards full sovereignty. Italy stands beside the Government and people of Lebanon in this most recent painful moment and will not fail to give its own firm support to the initiatives taken to bring clarity on the causes and modalities of the attack. End text. SPOGLI