ITALIAN RESPONSE TO USG NON-PAPERS FOR MISSILE

C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 002672 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS STATE FOR ISN/MTR E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/20/2031 TAGS: MTCRE PARM PREL ETTC KSCA MNUC TSPA KNNP WMD IT SUBJECT: ITALIAN RESPONSE TO USG NON-PAPERS FOR MISSILE TECHNOLOGY CONTROL REGIME PLENARY REF: A. STATE 152615 ¶B. STATE 152294 ¶C. STATE 149612 ¶D. STATE 149566 ¶E. STATE 149559 ¶F. STATE 149547 ¶G. STATE 147011 ¶H. STATE 146965 ¶I. STATE 146941 ¶J. STATE 146077 ¶K. STATE 145892 ¶L. STATE 145146 ¶M. STATE 138076 ¶N. STATE 134060 ¶O. ROME 2192 ¶P. ROME 1792 ¶Q. ROME 1666 Classified By: Ecmin Thomas L. Delare for reasons 1.4 (b),(d),and (h) ¶1. (C) Econoff delivered reftels C-N non-papers September 12 to Enrico Padula, the MFA desk officer responsible for Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) issues. During a subsequent meeting September 19, Econoff delivered reftels A and B. Padula thanked us for the package of notes and told us that receiving the papers directly from the Embassy provided the GOI with more than the usual time to review our proposals. He added that GOI experts are examining the USG proposals and non-papers, and will contact their USG counterparts with specific questions prior to the September 28 Technical Experts Meeting (TEM). ¶2. (C) Padula said the GOI supports the substance of Ref M proposals on North Korea, and expressed hope that adoption of UNSC Resolution 1695 (condemning North Korean missile tests and calling for an end to the DPRK ballistic missile program) will aid adoption of the USG proposals. The GOI agrees that North Korea poses a proliferation risk and would be "very pleased and happy, if the USG proposal is adopted." ¶3. (C) However, Padula expressed concerns over how the USG proposal will be handled procedurally. He recalled that at the 2004 MTCR Plenary, there was no consensus on a proposal regarding North Korea. The stalemate resulted in a decision that individual MTCR member states would voluntarily adopt the proposal (see paragraph six of the 2004 Plenary Chairman's Statement). Padula expressed concern that the same thing might happen to this year's proposal on North Korea, and said that in the long run, having the MTCR adopt voluntary measures will diminish the strength of the MTCR regime. ¶4. (C) With respect to Ref N proposal on UAVs and cruise missiles, Padula reiterated GOI support for the USG proposal, reported in Refs O-Q. He said GOI experts are still examining the proposals and will contact their USG counterparts directly with any technical questions. Padula is confident that any technical questions will be resolved at the TEM, prior to the Plenary. SPOGLI