ITALY: FM D'ALEMA CALLS TO EXPLAIN ABSTENTION ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 002896

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/17/2016
TAGS: PREL UNSC GT VE IT
SUBJECT: ITALY: FM D'ALEMA CALLS TO EXPLAIN ABSTENTION ON
UNSC GRULAC SEAT VOTE

REF: A. STATE 173462

B. ROME 427

C. ROME 2593

D. ROME 2810

Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Anna M. Borg for reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d).


1. (C/NF) Post received NIACT request (Ref A) on October 17
after learning that Foreign Minister had called the Secretary
October 16 to discuss the balloting for the UNSC
non-permanent member for Latin America. We understand from
Foreign Minister's Policy Advisor and Prime Minister's
Diplomatic Advisor that D'Alema called her to explain that
Italy's abstention on the first day of voting was due to
domestic political concerns given the large number of
Italians living in Venezuela. We assume that Secretary
delivered the message and points in reftel when she spoke
with D'Alema. D'Alema is in Luxembourg October 17.
Ambassador will meet with D'Alema October 18 and will follow
up with him further on these issues.


2. (C/NF) Ambassador met with PM Diplomatic Advisor October
17 and delivered a strong message on the importance of
keeping Venezuela off of the UNSC. Ambassador noted Italy's
action could affect other issues, such as the GOI's request
to be included in Iran talks.


3. (C/NF) Comment. Our position was no surprise to Italy
(Refs A, B, C). Ambassador, Pol M-C, and Poloffs repeatedly
have raised the issue in meetings with the FM, PM's
diplomatic advisors, and senior and working level MFA
officials. The issue was also an agenda item for visiting
A/S Shannon and DAS Volker (September 13) with the GOI. In
those conversations, the Italians never suggested the
possibility of an abstention. End comment.
SPOGLI