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.

Tags:  AORC UNGA XA XD IT 
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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