Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ROME1246
2006-04-26 13:16:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rome
Cable title:
ITALY ON BOARD WITH NATO'S MIDDLE EAST SECURITY
how-toVZCZCXRO5261 OO RUEHFL RUEHNP RUEHROV DE RUEHRO #1246 1161316 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 261316Z APR 06 FM AMEMBASSY ROME TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4556 INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHROV/AMEMBASSY VATICAN PRIORITY 0374 RUEHFL/AMCONSUL FLORENCE PRIORITY 1341 RUEHMIL/AMCONSUL MILAN PRIORITY 6995 RUEHNP/AMCONSUL NAPLES PRIORITY 1413 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 001246
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/25/2016
TAGS: PREL NATO MARR IT
SUBJECT: ITALY ON BOARD WITH NATO'S MIDDLE EAST SECURITY
COOPERATION CENTER, BUT WARY OF PRESENTATION, TIMING
REF: A. STATE 63202
B. ROME 1182
Classified By: Political Minister Counselor David Pearce for Reasons
C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 001246
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/25/2016
TAGS: PREL NATO MARR IT
SUBJECT: ITALY ON BOARD WITH NATO'S MIDDLE EAST SECURITY
COOPERATION CENTER, BUT WARY OF PRESENTATION, TIMING
REF: A. STATE 63202
B. ROME 1182
Classified By: Political Minister Counselor David Pearce for Reasons 1.
4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Summary. Italy, a co-sponsor of the Middle East
Security Cooperation Center (SCC) proposal, is fully on board
with the concept but concerned about presentation. Italy
believes the SCC must be fully co-sponsored with
participating Middle East countries and does not favor
launching it at the Riga summit. End summary.
2. (C) Pol-Mil Counselor and Pol-Mil Officer discussed Ref A
demarche with head of the MFA NATO Office Gianni Bardini.
While, Italy, as a co-sponsor of the SCC initiative, is fully
on board with the concept, Bardini expressed concerns about
the presentation. Noting that some Middle East/North Africa
publics are not ready for a NATO presence, Bardini stressed
the need for the Center to be fully co-sponsored ("regional
buy-in") to avoid being seen as a "Trojan Horse" for NATO.
He strongly advised against announcing the Center at the
November Riga summit, arguing that the Center would then be
perceived as something imposed by NATO rather than as a joint
initiative. Instead, the Middle East states involved and
NATO should issue a high-level joint political declaration
(preferably at the Foreign Minister level) stating an
intention to jointly develop plans for an SCC.
3. (C) Bardini stressed Italy's view that the SCC should be
fully integrated with existing NATO and Arab training
centers. Morocco's support for the SCC, for example, is only
lukewarm because it already has a training institution and
worries an SCC might divert attention, attendees or resources
from its center. Bardini also said it would be important for
the SCC to adopt a two-way approach, by providing courses,
such as regional familiarization and language training, for
NATO members.
SPOGLI
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/25/2016
TAGS: PREL NATO MARR IT
SUBJECT: ITALY ON BOARD WITH NATO'S MIDDLE EAST SECURITY
COOPERATION CENTER, BUT WARY OF PRESENTATION, TIMING
REF: A. STATE 63202
B. ROME 1182
Classified By: Political Minister Counselor David Pearce for Reasons 1.
4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Summary. Italy, a co-sponsor of the Middle East
Security Cooperation Center (SCC) proposal, is fully on board
with the concept but concerned about presentation. Italy
believes the SCC must be fully co-sponsored with
participating Middle East countries and does not favor
launching it at the Riga summit. End summary.
2. (C) Pol-Mil Counselor and Pol-Mil Officer discussed Ref A
demarche with head of the MFA NATO Office Gianni Bardini.
While, Italy, as a co-sponsor of the SCC initiative, is fully
on board with the concept, Bardini expressed concerns about
the presentation. Noting that some Middle East/North Africa
publics are not ready for a NATO presence, Bardini stressed
the need for the Center to be fully co-sponsored ("regional
buy-in") to avoid being seen as a "Trojan Horse" for NATO.
He strongly advised against announcing the Center at the
November Riga summit, arguing that the Center would then be
perceived as something imposed by NATO rather than as a joint
initiative. Instead, the Middle East states involved and
NATO should issue a high-level joint political declaration
(preferably at the Foreign Minister level) stating an
intention to jointly develop plans for an SCC.
3. (C) Bardini stressed Italy's view that the SCC should be
fully integrated with existing NATO and Arab training
centers. Morocco's support for the SCC, for example, is only
lukewarm because it already has a training institution and
worries an SCC might divert attention, attendees or resources
from its center. Bardini also said it would be important for
the SCC to adopt a two-way approach, by providing courses,
such as regional familiarization and language training, for
NATO members.
SPOGLI