GEORGIAN AMBASSADOR TO ITALY COMPLAINS OF

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