ITALIAN VICE FOREIGN MINISTER SUPPORTS ROADS AND

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KABUL 002956

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/FO, S/CT, SCA/A,
CENTCOM FOR POLAD, CG CFC-A, CG CJTF-76
TREASURY FOR APARAMESWARAN, ABAUKOL
STATE PLEASE PASS USAID FOR AID/ANE, AID/DCHA/DG
REL NATO/ISAF, AUS, NZ

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/26/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR KDEM AF
SUBJECT: ITALIAN VICE FOREIGN MINISTER SUPPORTS ROADS AND
CUSTOMS TRAINERS


Classified By: AMBASSADOR RONALD NEUMANN FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)


1. (C) SUMMARY: In a 30-minute meeting with the
Ambassador June 23, The Italian Vice Minister Vernetti
focused attention primarily on roads and customs
trainers. The Italians continue to work on expanding
the customs training programs out of Herat in order to
increase GOA revenue. The Italians have also secured
funding for 50 percent of the Kabul-Bamiyan Road and
are considering the idea of cooperating with the
Spanish on the Herat-Badghis Road. The Vice Minister
also briefly mentioned that the present debate in the
Italian parliament does not warrant concern. On the
margins, Italian Ambassador Ettore Sequi said he
recognized the friction surrounding Amb. Brunetti (who
is leading the Italian effort on justice reform in
Afghanistan) and they are working to find a solution.
VMFA is aware of the problem also. END SUMMARY.


2. (U) The Italian Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs
met with Ambassador Neumann on June 23, to discuss his
views on the way forward and the role Italy will play.
Italy is seriously looking to expand its customs
programs outside of Herat, specifically through the
Guardiate Finance. Presently there are 10-11 people
scheduled to begin training customs officers at the
RTC in Herat. Amb. Neumann supported this idea
emphasizing that customs training is critical to
increasing the government's income. The Italians also
mentioned the possibility of additional Carabinieri
trainers as possible.


3. (U) There seems to be a strong interest in working
with Spain that should be nurtured and encouraged.
The Vice Minister expressed specific interest in
collaborating on the last component of the ring road
between Herat and Badghis. He also suggested that the
Embassy work on points for an upcoming meeting between
the Spanish and Italian Prime Ministers. So far the
Spanish have constructed 57 km of high quality dirt
road.


4. (U) Italy has secured funding for fifty percent of
the Kabul-Bamiyan road and asked about other potential
donors. Amb. Neumann suggested cooperation with the
Japanese as most of our road funds are already
committed. Vernetti expressed great interest in the
possibility of teaming up with Spain to finance and
build the last link of the ring road from Herat to
Qal-i-Now. Amb. Neumann strongly encouraged this.


5. (C) When asked, Amb. Neumann stressed the positive
elements of the Italian Justice Program and suggested
that we work more closely on the proposed revision of
the criminal code and on prioritizing laws to be
passed. In private, Ambassador Sequi and the VMFA
touched lightly on the friction surrounding Amb.
Brunetti, the Italian rule of law program head.
Ambassador Neumann confirmed that there are problems
based on personality, a fact that appeared to be well
known already to the VMFA. There seems to be a
movement towards transferring her.


6. (C) Vice Minister Vernetti did not see the current
political debate over the PRTs and Italian troops in
Afghanistan as a problem. Many in the Italian
government oppose troop increases, but even the most
critical do not support a withdrawal. Use of their
PRT as a mechanism for development cooperation has
also failed in their eyes and they hope to reassess
their current operations to make better use of their

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resources.
NEUMANN