Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ROME2498
2007-12-20 17:22:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rome
Cable title:
UN FIFTH COMMITTEE: ITALY DOES NOT SUPPORT U.S.
VZCZCXRO6848 OO RUEHAG RUEHROV DE RUEHRO #2498 3541722 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 201722Z DEC 07 FM AMEMBASSY ROME TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9588 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO PRIORITY 0387 RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA PRIORITY 0869 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD PRIORITY 0874 RUEHOT/AMEMBASSY OTTAWA PRIORITY 1777 RUEHSA/AMEMBASSY PRETORIA PRIORITY 0526 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO PRIORITY 1921 RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON PRIORITY 0178 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0828
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
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