ITALY WELCOMES INITIATIVE ON ETHIOPIA-ERITREA,

C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 001312 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS FOR AF/E AND IO/UNP E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/13/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV ER ET IT SUBJECT: ITALY WELCOMES INITIATIVE ON ETHIOPIA-ERITREA, SEES SMALL SIGNS OF PROGRESS REF: STATE 76306 Classified By: Acting Political Minister Counselor Jonathan Cohen for r easons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Poloffs met with Horn of Africa Office Director Fabrizio Pignatelli June 13 to discuss the Ethiopia-Eritrea boundary impasse and next steps forward, per reftel. Poloffs emphasized the need for practical steps and sought Italian views on the current situation and a late June meeting of interested parties in New York. Pignatelli welcomed the U.S. proposal to meet on the issue in New York, noting that the UN seemed the best forum for the international community to approach the impasse. The GOI thought the appointment of a Special Representative approved by both Ethiopia and Eritrea could revitalize UN efforts, especially since Eritrea seemed more willing to work with the new UN Secretary General. Pignatelli said Italy did not have a candidate in mind. Italy hoped to play an active role in working toward the border demarcation and agreed that a practical approach was the best way forward. ¶2. (C) While Pignatelli was generally pessimistic about prospects for agreement between Ethiopia and Eritrea, he did note some small signs of opening. In particular, Eritrea seemed more willing to support an active role for UN SYG Ban, Ethiopian President Meles's recent statement to parliament that Ethiopia accepted the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission (EEBC) verdict did not include the usual caveat "in principle," and in a June 8 letter to SYG Ban, the Ethiopian Foreign Minister wrote that Ethiopia accepted the EEBC verdict without preconditions. Pignatelli was cautious about interpreting the statements as a step forward, but thought they might help create a better atmosphere for efforts by the international community--especially if bolstered by the appointment of a new Special Representative. Spogli