Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ROME2547
2006-09-11 15:06:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rome
Cable title:
PRODI TO AFFIRM TO BEIJING: GOI RESPECTS ARMS
how-toVZCZCXRO7070 OO RUEHAG DE RUEHRO #2547 2541506 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 111506Z SEP 06 FM AMEMBASSY ROME TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5888 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJIN PRIORITY 1234 RUEHFL/AMCONSUL FLORENCE PRIORITY 1715 RUEHMIL/AMCONSUL MILAN PRIORITY 7631 RUEHNP/AMCONSUL NAPLES PRIORITY 1830
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).
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
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