G8 IPR: ITALY FLEXIBLE, BUT CONCERNED ABOUT

UNCLAS ROME 000934

SIPDIS

EB/DAS CHRIS MOORE
EB/IPE CANDY GREEN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON KIPR IT EUN
SUBJECT: G8 IPR: ITALY FLEXIBLE, BUT CONCERNED ABOUT
LYON-ROMA WORKLOAD

REF: STATE 46971


1. A/Ecmin delivered reftel points March 24 to Italy G8 Sous
Sherpa Massimo Leggeri. Econoff received a response March 27
from Luigi De Chiara, an office director who works on G8
issues in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Directorate for
Multilateral Economic Cooperation.


2. De Chiara described Italy's position as "flexible," and
added that the GOI is neither strongly opposed to, nor
strongly in favor of, placing the Lyon-Roma Group in charge
of an IPR initiative. The GOI, however, does have concerns
that the Lyon-Roma Group's workload may become unmanageable,
thus creating coordination problems. He said that the GOI
would be more inclined to support the USG proposal if the
Lyon-Roma chair was clearly in favor of the Group taking on
IPR duties. Nevertheless, he said, Italy will go along with
whatever the majority decides.


3. De Chiara said he would insure that the appropriate
members of the GOI delegation to the March 30 meeting receive
a copy of reftel points.
SPOGLI