GOI RESPONSE TO USG PROPOSALS FOR MTCR TECHNICAL

UNCLAS ROME 002192 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR ISN/MTR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PARM MTCRE MNUC ETTC KSCA TSPA IT SUBJECT: GOI RESPONSE TO USG PROPOSALS FOR MTCR TECHNICAL EXPERTS MEETING REF: A. STATE 123328 ¶B. STATE 122356 ¶C. ROME 1666 ¶1. (U) EconOff delivered ref A and B proposals on modifications to the Missile Technology Control Regime's (MTCR) UAV/Missile criteria and the removal of Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) numbers from items in the MTCR annex to Enrico Padula, the MFA desk officer who follows MTCR issues. With respect to ref A proposal to modify MTCR criteria for the control of UAVs and cruise missiles, Padula said the GOI "broadly shares the USG's concerns," and referred to statement on this issue, reported ref C, by Carlo Tripepi, the MFA Deputy Assistant Secretary-equivalent official in charge of MTCR issues. ¶2. (U) Padula refrained from taking a position on ref B proposal to remove CAS numbers from control 4.C.4.a.6 of the MTCR Equipment, Technology, and Software Annex, saying that GOI experts are aware of the proposal and are examining it. He expects that the GOI will have a position on the proposal by the middle of September and said he would keep the Embassy informed of GOI views on the issue. ¶3. (U) Padula will attend the September 28 MTCR Technical Experts Meeting and the October 2 MTCR Plenary with Carlo Tripepi, Padula's immediate supervisor and senior advisor to MFA Director General (U/S-equivalent) Giandomenico Magliano on nonproliferation issues. Due to budget cuts, the size of the GOI delegation has been reduced, and Tripepi and Padula will likely be the only GOI officials at these meetings. SPOGLI