ITALY UNCERTAIN LISTING TAMIL TIGERS WILL PROMOTE

C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 001324

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/03/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL IT EUN
SUBJECT: ITALY UNCERTAIN LISTING TAMIL TIGERS WILL PROMOTE
PEACE

REF: STATE 65395

Classified By: Political-Military Counselor Jonathan Cohen for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) POLOFF discussed Ref demarche on May 3 with the MFA's
Enrico Valvo of the counter-terrorism office and Giuseppe
Cinti, Soth Asian Office Director. Both officials fully
agreed that the suicide bombing last month was an abhorrent
escalation and said Italy would continue denouncing all forms
of violence that aim to achieve some political goal. Valvo
said that "technically" the LTTE could be considered a
terrorist group but Italy is unsure that listing them at the
EU level now would be wise or appropriate. In any case,
Valvo acknowledged, the listing process within the EU
requires unanimity and there were certain countries who were
not willing to go along at this time.


2. (C) Cinti condemned the attack last month but struck a
more philosophical tone on listing the LTTE. He said that
the EU must take stock of the situation and calculate whether
listing the group should be a "first step" or a "final step"
in the process. If the LTTE had earned any credibility by
signaling a willingness to talk peace, it is squandering it
by not renouncing violent tactics. There are ample ways to
reach a negotiated solution using the political process, he
said, and the international community should push both sides
back to the table. If the LTTE continues to rely on violence
and intimidation, then perhaps listing them as a terrorist
group would be an appropriate final step.
SPOGLI