Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ROME2505
2007-12-21 15:12:00
SECRET
Embassy Rome
Cable title:
(S) AUSTRALIA GROUP: GOI RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON
how-toVZCZCXRO7918 PP RUEHAG RUEHROV DE RUEHRO #2505 3551512 ZNY SSSSS ZZH P 211512Z DEC 07 FM AMEMBASSY ROME TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9592 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
S E C R E T ROME 002505
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR ISN/CB ANDREW SOUZA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/20/2032
TAGS: PREL PARM ETTC SY IT
SUBJECT: (S) AUSTRALIA GROUP: GOI RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON
SYRIAN EFFORTS TO PROCURE CW-USEFUL CHEMICALS; QUESTIONS ON
AG CHAIR'S REPORT ON RUSSIAN EXPORT CONTROLS
REF: STATE 167512
Classified By: Economic Counselor William Meara for reasons 1.4 (B),(C
),(D),and (H)
S E C R E T ROME 002505
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR ISN/CB ANDREW SOUZA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/20/2032
TAGS: PREL PARM ETTC SY IT
SUBJECT: (S) AUSTRALIA GROUP: GOI RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON
SYRIAN EFFORTS TO PROCURE CW-USEFUL CHEMICALS; QUESTIONS ON
AG CHAIR'S REPORT ON RUSSIAN EXPORT CONTROLS
REF: STATE 167512
Classified By: Economic Counselor William Meara for reasons 1.4 (B),(C
),(D),and (H)
1. (S) On December 21, Econcoff delivered reftel points on
efforts by the Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Center
(SSRC) to procure large quantities of chemicals useful in
producing chemical weapons to Roberto Liotto, the Italian MFA
official responsible for Italian participation in the
Australia Group (AG). Liotto said he would pass the
information in reftel to the GOI's inter-ministerial
"Consultative Committee" which oversees the Italian export
licensing system. Liotto confirmed the GOI can use the
"catch-all" provisions of Italian export control laws to
block the export to Syria of large quantities of chemicals
which can be used to produce chemical weapons.
2. (S) Turning to a separate issue, Liotto asked if the USG
has a formal response to the report on the Australia Group
Chair's recent trip to Moscow. According to Liotto, the AG
Chair went to Moscow to discuss Russian export controls and
has issued a report on his trip. The Russian government has
requested the AG hold a special plenary session to discuss
the Chair's report. According to Liotto, the EU AG members
will meet on January 17 to coordinate their response to the
report. He said the GOI is opposed to an AG plenary
dedicated to discussing the report, but that a devoting a
portion of an already scheduled AG plenary would be
worthwhile. Liotto will draft the GOI response to the AG
Chair's Report by January 20, and asked for a readout of USG
views on the Report prior to that date.
SPOGLI
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR ISN/CB ANDREW SOUZA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/20/2032
TAGS: PREL PARM ETTC SY IT
SUBJECT: (S) AUSTRALIA GROUP: GOI RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON
SYRIAN EFFORTS TO PROCURE CW-USEFUL CHEMICALS; QUESTIONS ON
AG CHAIR'S REPORT ON RUSSIAN EXPORT CONTROLS
REF: STATE 167512
Classified By: Economic Counselor William Meara for reasons 1.4 (B),(C
),(D),and (H)
1. (S) On December 21, Econcoff delivered reftel points on
efforts by the Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Center
(SSRC) to procure large quantities of chemicals useful in
producing chemical weapons to Roberto Liotto, the Italian MFA
official responsible for Italian participation in the
Australia Group (AG). Liotto said he would pass the
information in reftel to the GOI's inter-ministerial
"Consultative Committee" which oversees the Italian export
licensing system. Liotto confirmed the GOI can use the
"catch-all" provisions of Italian export control laws to
block the export to Syria of large quantities of chemicals
which can be used to produce chemical weapons.
2. (S) Turning to a separate issue, Liotto asked if the USG
has a formal response to the report on the Australia Group
Chair's recent trip to Moscow. According to Liotto, the AG
Chair went to Moscow to discuss Russian export controls and
has issued a report on his trip. The Russian government has
requested the AG hold a special plenary session to discuss
the Chair's report. According to Liotto, the EU AG members
will meet on January 17 to coordinate their response to the
report. He said the GOI is opposed to an AG plenary
dedicated to discussing the report, but that a devoting a
portion of an already scheduled AG plenary would be
worthwhile. Liotto will draft the GOI response to the AG
Chair's Report by January 20, and asked for a readout of USG
views on the Report prior to that date.
SPOGLI