Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ROME1849
2006-06-22 14:21:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rome
Cable title:
ITALY WORKING THROUGH EU ON VENEZUELA NGO LAW
how-toVZCZCXRO7441 PP RUEHAG DE RUEHRO #1849 1731421 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 221421Z JUN 06 FM AMEMBASSY ROME TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5175 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS PRIORITY 0739 RUEHFL/AMCONSUL FLORENCE PRIORITY 1511 RUEHMIL/AMCONSUL MILAN PRIORITY 7268 RUEHNP/AMCONSUL NAPLES PRIORITY 1582
C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 001849
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/21/2016
TAGS: PREL KDEM PGOV VE EAID IT
SUBJECT: ITALY WORKING THROUGH EU ON VENEZUELA NGO LAW
REF: STATE 97547
Classified By: Acting Political Minister Counselor Jonathan R. Cohen fo
r reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 001849
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/21/2016
TAGS: PREL KDEM PGOV VE EAID IT
SUBJECT: ITALY WORKING THROUGH EU ON VENEZUELA NGO LAW
REF: STATE 97547
Classified By: Acting Political Minister Counselor Jonathan R. Cohen fo
r reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) June 19 Poloff delivered reftel demarche to Acting
South America Office Director Paolo Campanini, urging Italy
to communicate its concerns with the Venezuelan NGO bill to
Caracas. Poloff noted that the draft legislation was vague
and would give great discretion to the GOV in hindering NGO
operations, thereby weakening civil society. Campanini
responded that Italy had been following the issue and was
concerned about the potential effects of the law. The
European Union had delivered a demarche to Venezuela at the
ministerial level, according to Campanini, voicing its
concerns with the bill. Campanini said that the response
from the minister was somewhat comforting, in that he told
the EU that the law would not restrict the liberty of NGOs.
2. (C) Noting that some of the most worrying aspects of the
legislation had been softened, Campanini nevertheless
highlighted the need to continue to pay close attention. He
said that although Italy has not taken steps to address the
issue bilaterally with Venezuela, the GOI has been involved
in discussions within the EU Committee on Latin America
(COLAT). According to Campanini, the GOI thought an overly
aggressive approach would not be productive, preferring to
point out some "causes for concern" stemming from the
legislation. Poloff noted that European opinion carried
weight in Caracas and a message directly from the GOI could
be helpful.
SPOGLI
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/21/2016
TAGS: PREL KDEM PGOV VE EAID IT
SUBJECT: ITALY WORKING THROUGH EU ON VENEZUELA NGO LAW
REF: STATE 97547
Classified By: Acting Political Minister Counselor Jonathan R. Cohen fo
r reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) June 19 Poloff delivered reftel demarche to Acting
South America Office Director Paolo Campanini, urging Italy
to communicate its concerns with the Venezuelan NGO bill to
Caracas. Poloff noted that the draft legislation was vague
and would give great discretion to the GOV in hindering NGO
operations, thereby weakening civil society. Campanini
responded that Italy had been following the issue and was
concerned about the potential effects of the law. The
European Union had delivered a demarche to Venezuela at the
ministerial level, according to Campanini, voicing its
concerns with the bill. Campanini said that the response
from the minister was somewhat comforting, in that he told
the EU that the law would not restrict the liberty of NGOs.
2. (C) Noting that some of the most worrying aspects of the
legislation had been softened, Campanini nevertheless
highlighted the need to continue to pay close attention. He
said that although Italy has not taken steps to address the
issue bilaterally with Venezuela, the GOI has been involved
in discussions within the EU Committee on Latin America
(COLAT). According to Campanini, the GOI thought an overly
aggressive approach would not be productive, preferring to
point out some "causes for concern" stemming from the
legislation. Poloff noted that European opinion carried
weight in Caracas and a message directly from the GOI could
be helpful.
SPOGLI