ITALY UNLIKELY TO SUPPORT NEW ZEALAND DRAFT

C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 002148 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR ISN/MNSA USUN FOR U.S. FIRST COMMITTEE DELEGATION GENEVA FOR CD DELEGATION E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/11/2017 TAGS: PARM MNUC UNGA IT SUBJECT: ITALY UNLIKELY TO SUPPORT NEW ZEALAND DRAFT RESOLUTION ON DE-ALERTING OF NUCLEAR FORCES REF: STATE 140048 Classified By: Acting Political Minister-Counselor Jonathan Cohen for R easons 1.4 (B) and (D) ¶1. (C) Poloff delivered reftel demarche to Emanuele Farruggia, Italian MFA Director for Disarmament, Arms Control and Nonproliferation on October 5. Farruggia said that the GOI had not yet had an opportunity to study New Zealand's draft resolution but that the EU as a whole was unlikely to support it if it appeared to be designed primarily for what he called "propagandistic" purposes. The EU had voted against a similar draft resolution introduced last year by India for this reason. Italy, as a non-nuclear power, is in favor of de-alerting in general, but recognizes that the U.S., France and the UK have already taken extensive measures to remove large portions of their arsenals from high-alert status. Countries like China, Pakistan and India are greater causes for concern, as the readiness status of their arsenals is either unknown or much higher. He noted that draft resolutions of this sort had troubling implications for the collective security of NATO members given the Alliance's reliance on the concept of extended deterrence. He said he would follow up with the Embassy once the GOI had a chance to review the text, but added that the clear opposition of the U.S. would not help New Zealand recruit supporters. BORG