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