Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ROME1866
2006-06-23 17:34:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy Rome
Cable title:
ITALY'S RESPONSE: TERRORIST FINANCE TRACKING
how-toVZCZCXRO9153 OO RUEHFL RUEHNP DE RUEHRO #1866 1741734 ZNY SSSSS ZZH O 231734Z JUN 06 FM AMEMBASSY ROME TO RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5195 INFO RUEHFL/AMCONSUL FLORENCE IMMEDIATE 1519 RUEHMIL/AMCONSUL MILAN IMMEDIATE 7281 RUEHNP/AMCONSUL NAPLES IMMEDIATE 1590 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0605
S E C R E T ROME 001866
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
STATE FOR P,E,EUR/PGI:LREASOR, EB/ESC/TFS:DNELSON, DBROWN,
EUR/WE:AYOUNG, EUR/ERA:EBROWN, NP/RA:RMETCALF
TREASURY FOR U/S LEVEY, ASZUBIN, JSERAFINI, JFOWLER, CCLARK
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/24/2016
TAGS: EFIN IT PTER
SUBJECT: ITALY'S RESPONSE: TERRORIST FINANCE TRACKING
PROGRAM AND NEW YORK TIMES STORY
REF: SECSTATE 103650
Classified By: Acting Economic Minister Counselor Kathleen Reddy for re
asons 1.5 (b,d)
S E C R E T ROME 001866
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
STATE FOR P,E,EUR/PGI:LREASOR, EB/ESC/TFS:DNELSON, DBROWN,
EUR/WE:AYOUNG, EUR/ERA:EBROWN, NP/RA:RMETCALF
TREASURY FOR U/S LEVEY, ASZUBIN, JSERAFINI, JFOWLER, CCLARK
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/24/2016
TAGS: EFIN IT PTER
SUBJECT: ITALY'S RESPONSE: TERRORIST FINANCE TRACKING
PROGRAM AND NEW YORK TIMES STORY
REF: SECSTATE 103650
Classified By: Acting Economic Minister Counselor Kathleen Reddy for re
asons 1.5 (b,d)
1. (U) This is an action request. Please see para 7.
2. (S) A/ECMIN and EconOff delivered reftel talking points
June 23 to Carlos Baldocci, Ministry of Finance (MoF)
Diplomatic Advisor, (senior advisor on international
affairs),and Giuseppe Maresca, Director General of the MoF's
Office for Financial Crimes and recognized expert on
terrorism financing.
3. (S) Drawing from reftel points, A/ECMIN began by
stressing the legal basis of the Terrorist Finance Tracking
Program, and the rigorous safeguards in place to protect
privacy. She also expressed regret that the New York Times
published the article, as public dissemination of sources and
methods diminish national security and our government's
efforts to prevent terrorist activity.
4. (S) EconOff also noted that the recently-appointed
Minister of Finance, Padoa-Schioppa, may have previous
knowledge of this program, as he was a member of the European
Central Bank's Executive Board, and head of departments for
banking supervision, settlement systems, and foreign
relations, from 1998 - 2005. Maresca said he was unaware if
the Minister knew about this program, but agreed that he
might.
5. (S) Baldocci said he would inform the Minister (then at
an all-day Council of Ministers' meeting on the budget) as
soon as possible, and said he would prepare him for possible
questions from the press. Baldocci and Maresca also asked:
-- Who in the USG issues the subpoenas to SWIFT?
-- What was the legal basis for SWIFT's entering into this
arrangement, and who at SWIFT would have authorized the
program?
-- Had Italian citizens' financial records been targeted
under this program?
-- Did the U.S. Treasury Secretary inform the Italian
Minister of Finance when the program was initiated?
6. (S) Maresca said he may have additional questions after
reviewing the material.
7. (S) Comment and Action Request: It was clear Baldocci
was uninformed about this program, but not clear whether
Maresca had previous knowledge. Embassy requests Washington
agencies provide any available information for us to respond
to para 5 questions. End Comment and Action Request.
SPOGLI
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
STATE FOR P,E,EUR/PGI:LREASOR, EB/ESC/TFS:DNELSON, DBROWN,
EUR/WE:AYOUNG, EUR/ERA:EBROWN, NP/RA:RMETCALF
TREASURY FOR U/S LEVEY, ASZUBIN, JSERAFINI, JFOWLER, CCLARK
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/24/2016
TAGS: EFIN IT PTER
SUBJECT: ITALY'S RESPONSE: TERRORIST FINANCE TRACKING
PROGRAM AND NEW YORK TIMES STORY
REF: SECSTATE 103650
Classified By: Acting Economic Minister Counselor Kathleen Reddy for re
asons 1.5 (b,d)
1. (U) This is an action request. Please see para 7.
2. (S) A/ECMIN and EconOff delivered reftel talking points
June 23 to Carlos Baldocci, Ministry of Finance (MoF)
Diplomatic Advisor, (senior advisor on international
affairs),and Giuseppe Maresca, Director General of the MoF's
Office for Financial Crimes and recognized expert on
terrorism financing.
3. (S) Drawing from reftel points, A/ECMIN began by
stressing the legal basis of the Terrorist Finance Tracking
Program, and the rigorous safeguards in place to protect
privacy. She also expressed regret that the New York Times
published the article, as public dissemination of sources and
methods diminish national security and our government's
efforts to prevent terrorist activity.
4. (S) EconOff also noted that the recently-appointed
Minister of Finance, Padoa-Schioppa, may have previous
knowledge of this program, as he was a member of the European
Central Bank's Executive Board, and head of departments for
banking supervision, settlement systems, and foreign
relations, from 1998 - 2005. Maresca said he was unaware if
the Minister knew about this program, but agreed that he
might.
5. (S) Baldocci said he would inform the Minister (then at
an all-day Council of Ministers' meeting on the budget) as
soon as possible, and said he would prepare him for possible
questions from the press. Baldocci and Maresca also asked:
-- Who in the USG issues the subpoenas to SWIFT?
-- What was the legal basis for SWIFT's entering into this
arrangement, and who at SWIFT would have authorized the
program?
-- Had Italian citizens' financial records been targeted
under this program?
-- Did the U.S. Treasury Secretary inform the Italian
Minister of Finance when the program was initiated?
6. (S) Maresca said he may have additional questions after
reviewing the material.
7. (S) Comment and Action Request: It was clear Baldocci
was uninformed about this program, but not clear whether
Maresca had previous knowledge. Embassy requests Washington
agencies provide any available information for us to respond
to para 5 questions. End Comment and Action Request.
SPOGLI