UN FIFTH COMMITTEE: ITALY DOES NOT SUPPORT U.S.

C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 002498 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR IO/MPR DAVID LEIS USUN/MR FOR BRUCE RASHKOW E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/20/2017 TAGS: AORC UNGA XA XD IT SUBJECT: UN FIFTH COMMITTEE: ITALY DOES NOT SUPPORT U.S. BUDGET PROPOSALS REF: STATE 168902 Classified By: Political Officer Gabriel Escobar, for reasons 1.4 (b) a nd (d). (C) Poloff delivered reftel points to MFA UN Affairs Deputy Office Director Leonardo Bencini December 20 and requested Italian support for USG proposals for ongoing budget negotiations in the UN Fifth Committee. Bencini said Italy understands U.S. concerns about UN budget growth and agrees that savings are necessary, but does not share the U.S. approach. Bencini said a rollover budget would be unfortunate, because the UN needs a budget and the time for considering it is now. Establishing what he called an "indiscriminate, artificial cap" on budget growth at 7 percent would also be unwise, because it would be a decision made without considering the actual proposed expenses. The entire budget should be examined in depth and individual expenditures evaluated on their own merits. Bencini said Italy does not like the current piecemeal approach to the UN budget, but that postponement of the debate will not solve the problems, and there is sufficient time remaining before adjournment for the holidays to complete the Committee's work. SPOGLI