ITALY CONDEMNS DPRK MISSILE LAUNCH THREAT, WILL

S E C R E T ROME 001911 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/30/2016 TAGS: PARM PREL KN KNNP MNUC EWWT PHSA KS IT SUBJECT: ITALY CONDEMNS DPRK MISSILE LAUNCH THREAT, WILL ADDRESS FLAGS OF CONVENIENCE REF: A. STATE 50422 ¶B. STATE 98659 ¶C. ROME 1359 ¶D. ISN-CPI/ITALY DESK E-MAIL 6/23/06 ¶E. STATE 63168 Classified By: Political Minister Counselor David D. Pearce for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (S) Summary. June 28 Poloff and Polmiloff met with MFA Deputy Office Director for East Asia Filippo Nicosia to follow up on Ref A demarche requesting GOI regulation of DPRK flags of convenience, and to deliver Ref B points on North Korean long-range missile launch. Nicosia noted that the new Italian Government (Ref C) had not yet had a chance to focus on a regulation or law prohibiting Italian use of DPRK flags of convenience, but assured Emboffs the issue would be on the agenda soon. According to Nicosia, the GOI condemned a possible North Korean long-range missile launch, and registered its objections with the North Korean government both bilaterally, and through the EU Common Position. End Summary. ¶2. (S) As requested by Department (Ref D),Emboffs followed up with the GOI on its efforts to enact a regulation or law prohibiting the use of DPRK flags of convenience by Italian nationals or companies. With an administration that began work one month ago, Nicosia noted that the DPRK flags of convenience issue had not yet percolated to the top of the agenda as senior officials were still settling in. He assured Emboffs that Office Director Federico Failla and Director General for Asia Claudio Pacifico would raise the issue with the new Under Secretary for Asia, Gianni Vernetti. He was hopeful that some movement could be achieved soon and said he would keep us informed of any further steps the GOI might take. Nicosia underscored that any additional information the United States might have would be helpful to the GOI as it considers formulating effective regulation. Emboffs encouraged the GOI to provide us with any additional information they may learn about the Italian vessel in Ref E. ¶3. (S) Emboffs provided Ref B points, previously shared with the GOI at the June 14 Moscow G-8 Political Directors Conference, and with MFA Non-Proliferation Office Director Filippo Formica June 19. Nicosia said the GOI had taken several steps in response to the possibility of a DPRK long-range missile launch. DG Pacifico had called the North Korean Ambassador to condemn the action, and said the GOI would have to condemn any further actions taken by the DPRK government if they chose to go forward. Nicosia's office convoked the North Korean Minister-Counselor on the day the news came out to express Italy's condemnation of the DPRK's plans. U/S Vernetti also discussed the possibility of a missile test with South Korean FM Ban Ki-Moon. According to Nicosia, both condemned the DPRK action and agreed to apply pressure on the North Korean government. ¶4. (S) The GOI organizes an annual workshop on North Korea, which was to be held this October in Rome. The MFA had planned to raise the level of participation in the seminar, possibly to include the FM's of the DPRK and ROK. However, Nicosia said the GOI was considering canceling the event altogether, in light of the DPRK's recent actions. DPRK officials blamed the situation on the United States when the GOI raised its concerns, according to Nicosia, which Italy saw as a North Korean excuse not to continue the Six Party Talks. He said that GOI officials rebutted the DPRK's argument using the example of a Macau bank that -- taking into account Pyongyang's actions -- recently froze DPRK accounts autonomously, not because of U.S. pressure. Nicosia also noted that the GOI is in close coordination with other EU member states and would continue to support the EU's Common Position. SPOGLI