ITALY IN AGREEMENT ON DARFUR ACCORD, NOT EXPECTING

C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 001603 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/25/2016 TAGS: PREL EAID SOCI PINS SU IT SUBJECT: ITALY IN AGREEMENT ON DARFUR ACCORD, NOT EXPECTING JEM VISITORS REF: A. STATE 74589 ¶B. STATE 78589 Classified By: Political Officer Zoja Deretic for reasons 1.4 (b) and ( d). ¶1. (C) Poloff met with Fabrizio Pignatelli, MFA Horn of Africa Office Director, May 11 to deliver Reftel A points encouraging Italy to restrict the issuance of visas to members of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM); and May 24 to deliver Reftel B points outlining issues for follow-up to the Darfur Peace Agreement. On restricting JEM visas, Pignatelli responded May 24 that Italy was not expecting visits from any JEM members, and said the MFA would be informed if they did seek entry to Italy. He noted that Italy was part of the Schengen area, and if one Schengen country decided to deny entry to JEM-affiliated travelers, that restriction would apply to all. ¶2. (C) Italy is in complete agreement on the priority follow-up steps after the Darfur Peace Agreement, according to Pignatelli. He noted that Italy stresses all of those points in its official meetings and contacts. Pignatelli also highlighted Italy's strong and continued interest in the Sudan peace process, from the beginning of the lengthy negotiation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. As a member of the Assessment and Evaluation Commission (AEC), Italy chairs the working group on power sharing. The GOI has also provided airlift support to the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) through NATO, and is looking to contribute to a NATO mission for further assistance to AMIS. Pignatelli observed that it would be useful to include Italy in the London-based consultative group, given its long experience and interest in Sudan. He requested U.S. assistance in facilitating a place for Italy in the group. ¶3. (C) Comment. Italy shares our humanitarian concerns in Sudan and has supported our efforts to secure a peace deal on Darfur. Support for Italian membership in the Sudan consultative group would send a signal that the U.S. continues to look to Italy as a key partner. End comment. SPOGLI