Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ROME3006
2006-11-02 08:22:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Rome
Cable title:
GEORGIAN AMBASSADOR TO ITALY COMPLAINS OF
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C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 003006
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
EUR FOR DAS BRYZA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/31/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV GG RU IT
SUBJECT: GEORGIAN AMBASSADOR TO ITALY COMPLAINS OF
UNRESPONSIVE GOI
Classified By: Classified by Jonathan R. Cohen, Acting Political Minist
er Counselor, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 003006
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
EUR FOR DAS BRYZA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/31/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV GG RU IT
SUBJECT: GEORGIAN AMBASSADOR TO ITALY COMPLAINS OF
UNRESPONSIVE GOI
Classified By: Classified by Jonathan R. Cohen, Acting Political Minist
er Counselor, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C/NF) Summary. The Georgian Ambassador to Italy, Zaal
Gogsadze, told poloff that he has been unable to get the GOI
to focus on the tensions building in Georgia. Gogsadze
stated that the GOI has become fixated on the Putin-inspired
idea that Georgia is pushing for an armed confrontation.
While the GOI cautioned Tbilisi on the expulsion of four
alleged Russian spies, it has not condemned the mass
expulsion of Georgians living in Russia. Gogsadze said he
has learned from diplomats from other CIS nations that Russia
is planning to assign a member of its large mission in Rome
to work exclusively on pushing the Russian perspective of
this issue with the GOI and the Italian press. End Summary.
2. (C/NF) On October 31, poloff met with Gogsadze at his
request to discuss his efforts to raise Italian awareness of
the rising tensions in Georgia. He complained that the
Italian MFA is either unwilling or unable to criticize Russia
for its support of the separatist movements in Abkhazia and
South Ossetia and for its crackdown on legal Georgian
residents in Russia. Instead the MFA cautioned Tbilisi over
its expulsion of four alleged Russian spies and has asked the
GOG to avoid provoking Russia. Gogsadze noted that apart
from MFA DG for Political Affairs Terzi and MFA U/S
Crucianelli, the range of GOI officials dealing with the
issue, including diplomatic advisors to Prodi and other key
ministers, have proven to be "spineless" in their approach to
the region.
3. (C/NF) Gogsadze stated that he has been unable to change
Italian perception that Georgian actions are provoking a
possible armed response in the region. He complained that
Italian media coverage of the situation has focused heavily
on Georgian actions but has not reported on the increasingly
strident provocations by separatists. He attributed this to
the strong Italian sympathy for Russia and communism.
4. (C/NF) Gogsadze stated that other CIS diplomats have
reported that the Russian Ambassador in Rome has expressed an
interest in permanently assigning a member of his staff to
press the Russian perspective of the situation in the press
and with GOI officials. If this is the case, Gogsadze
believes the Russian perspective will get an extremely
sympathetic hearing.
5. (C/NF) Comment. Although the GOI has supported NATO's
Intensified Dialogue with Georgia, the new GOI is proving to
be as weak, or weaker, on Russia than the Berlusconi
government. Italian dependence on Russian energy, strong
leftist leanings within the center-left coalition, and
general disinterest in the Caucus region are partially to
blame for this situation. We will continue to urge the GOI
not to give Russia a free pass to act with impunity in
provoking and destabilizing its neighbors.
SPOGLI
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
EUR FOR DAS BRYZA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/31/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV GG RU IT
SUBJECT: GEORGIAN AMBASSADOR TO ITALY COMPLAINS OF
UNRESPONSIVE GOI
Classified By: Classified by Jonathan R. Cohen, Acting Political Minist
er Counselor, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C/NF) Summary. The Georgian Ambassador to Italy, Zaal
Gogsadze, told poloff that he has been unable to get the GOI
to focus on the tensions building in Georgia. Gogsadze
stated that the GOI has become fixated on the Putin-inspired
idea that Georgia is pushing for an armed confrontation.
While the GOI cautioned Tbilisi on the expulsion of four
alleged Russian spies, it has not condemned the mass
expulsion of Georgians living in Russia. Gogsadze said he
has learned from diplomats from other CIS nations that Russia
is planning to assign a member of its large mission in Rome
to work exclusively on pushing the Russian perspective of
this issue with the GOI and the Italian press. End Summary.
2. (C/NF) On October 31, poloff met with Gogsadze at his
request to discuss his efforts to raise Italian awareness of
the rising tensions in Georgia. He complained that the
Italian MFA is either unwilling or unable to criticize Russia
for its support of the separatist movements in Abkhazia and
South Ossetia and for its crackdown on legal Georgian
residents in Russia. Instead the MFA cautioned Tbilisi over
its expulsion of four alleged Russian spies and has asked the
GOG to avoid provoking Russia. Gogsadze noted that apart
from MFA DG for Political Affairs Terzi and MFA U/S
Crucianelli, the range of GOI officials dealing with the
issue, including diplomatic advisors to Prodi and other key
ministers, have proven to be "spineless" in their approach to
the region.
3. (C/NF) Gogsadze stated that he has been unable to change
Italian perception that Georgian actions are provoking a
possible armed response in the region. He complained that
Italian media coverage of the situation has focused heavily
on Georgian actions but has not reported on the increasingly
strident provocations by separatists. He attributed this to
the strong Italian sympathy for Russia and communism.
4. (C/NF) Gogsadze stated that other CIS diplomats have
reported that the Russian Ambassador in Rome has expressed an
interest in permanently assigning a member of his staff to
press the Russian perspective of the situation in the press
and with GOI officials. If this is the case, Gogsadze
believes the Russian perspective will get an extremely
sympathetic hearing.
5. (C/NF) Comment. Although the GOI has supported NATO's
Intensified Dialogue with Georgia, the new GOI is proving to
be as weak, or weaker, on Russia than the Berlusconi
government. Italian dependence on Russian energy, strong
leftist leanings within the center-left coalition, and
general disinterest in the Caucus region are partially to
blame for this situation. We will continue to urge the GOI
not to give Russia a free pass to act with impunity in
provoking and destabilizing its neighbors.
SPOGLI