PRODI TO AFFIRM TO BEIJING: GOI RESPECTS ARMS

C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 002547 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/08/2016 TAGS: PREL PARM EUN ETTC ETRD CH IT SUBJECT: PRODI TO AFFIRM TO BEIJING: GOI RESPECTS ARMS EMBARGO REF: YOUNG-COHEN EMAILS Classified By: Political Minister Counselor David D. Pearce for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi will travel to China September 13-18, stopping in Beijing, Nanjing, Canton, Shanghai, and Tianjin. In light of the upcoming trip, Poloff spoke with Assistant Diplomatic Advisor to the Prime Minister Sem Fabrizi September 7 to discuss the China arms embargo. Poloff noted that the U.S. had serious concerns about the EU giving consideration to lifting the China arms embargo given human rights problems in China, the potential impact on regional stability, and the probable reaction from the U.S. Congress. Fabrizi responded that he would pass on our concerns. Filippo Nicosia, MFA East Asia Office, told Poloff September 7 that the GOI believed China would raise the embargo issue. According to Nicosia, PM Prodi would affirm that Italy respected the embargo and, as a close ally of the United States, would not push to end it. ¶2. (U) A/Ecmin also delivered ref points September 9 to Foreign Trade Minister Emma Bonino's Chief of Technical Secretariat, Paolo Reboani. (Note: Prodi is traveling as the SIPDIS head of the largest ever Italian trade mission to China. Prodi will be accompanied by Trade Minister Bonino, Economic Development Minister Bersani, and at least two more GOI cabinet members. Over 4,000 delegates, representing 700 companies, will participate in the mission. End Note.) ¶3. (C) Reboani said he would include the USG position in Bonino's briefing papers. He indicated he does not believe the GOI will raise the issue during the trade mission. He underscored Bonino's long history of activism in support of human and labor rights and said that, within the GOI, she is forward-leaning on these issues. He said Bonino's leanings mean she would oppose any effort to end the arms embargo now. Reboani said the GOI is well aware of the problems that exist in China, but added that the GOI must still balance these concerns with China's importance as a trading partner and as a possible source of investment. SPOGLI