ITALIAN RESPONSE TO NORTH KOREAN MISSILE LAUNCHES

C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 001957 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/07/2016 TAGS: PREL KN PARM KNNP IT SUBJECT: ITALIAN RESPONSE TO NORTH KOREAN MISSILE LAUNCHES REF: A. STATE 111144 ¶B. ROME 1911 Classified By: Political Minister Counselor David D. Pearce for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary. MFA Office Director for East Asia Federico Failla and Office Director for Non-Proliferation Filippo Formica, July 7 expressed Italy's concern over the North Korean missile launches and highlighted the GOI's commitment to the EU position, which condemned the launches and called for a return to the six-party talks. July 5 DPM/FM Massimo D'Alema issued a statement conveying Italy's "profound concern and disquiet" over the tests, and calling for the DPRK to respect the moratorium on missile launches. According to Failla, the MFA had also spoken with the North Korean Ambassador in Rome to convey its concern. End summary. ¶2. (U) July 7 Poloff met with Failla and Polmiloff met with Formica to deliver Ref A demarche, noting U.S. concerns regarding, and condemnation of, North Korea's July 4-5 missile launches, and urging the GOI not to trade in military and dual-use items with the DPRK. ¶3. (C) Failla and Formica both noted the GOI fully subscribed to the EU position condemning the launches, and called for the DPRK to return to the self-declared 1999 moratorium. Noting that the EU Presidency had delivered a direct message to the North Korean Deputy Foreign Minister, Failla said that Italy would continue to follow Brussels' lead. Formica noted the GOI had been a driving force behind the EU's strong statement prior to the DPRK missile launch (Ref B). In addition to its multilateral approach through the EU, Failla stated the MFA had expressed its concerns to the North Korean Ambassador in Rome after the launches. ¶4. (C) Italy had limited trade with North Korea, approximately 2 million Euros per year (which included no technology transfers),according to Failla. The GOI was in the process of tightening overall dual-use technology export policy, according to Formica. Formica noted the GOI continues to reinforce its regime to ban dual-use items, including broadening the types of articles the GOI will not approve for export. According to Failla, Italy would respect any sanctions imposed by an international body. ¶5. (C) The annual seminar Italy holds on North Korea (Ref B) will not be canceled, according to Failla, who noted the need to understand the situation was even more important now, during a crisis. However, he said, the GOI is still considering whether the conference, to take place in Rome in October, would include participants at a working level or a policy level. Failla believed U.S. experts would attend the seminar, as in the past. ¶6. (U) FM D'Alema issued a statement July 5 expressing Italy's concern over the missile launches. Begin text. Minister D'Alema Expresses Deep Concern over the Missile Tests Carried out by North Korea July 5, 2006 - Deputy Premier and Minister for Foreign Affairs Massimo D'Alema has expressed his profound concern and disquiet over the missile tests, carried out in the past hours, by North Korea in relation to possible grave negative repercussions for nuclear non-proliferation efforts and the regional stability of Northeast Asia. Pyongyang's gesture is certainly destined to further complicate the current deadlock in the six-nation talks, aimed at promoting a negotiated outcome to the North Korean nuclear question, to which Italy has and will continue to actively contribute. Italy calls on North Korea to resume its respect of the moratorium on missile launches observed since 1999. End Text. SPOGLI