GOI SEEKS TO DE-LIST HIMMAT; DEMARCHE DELIVERED

C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 001331 SIPDIS STATE FOR CROWE IN IO USUN NEW YORK FOR BLACK STATE FOR RECHT IN EEB/ESC/TFS TREASURY FOR MCCORD E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/02/2018 TAGS: KTFN EFIN PTER ETTC PREL PINR SUBJECT: GOI SEEKS TO DE-LIST HIMMAT; DEMARCHE DELIVERED REF: SECSTATE 113231 Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Elizabeth Dibble for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) On 27 October Lorenzo Tomassoni of the MFA presented a demarche to Econoff asking if the USG would support de-listing of Ali Ghaleb Himmat at the UN 1267 Committee. Tomassoni provided a letter from Himmat's lawyer noting that Swiss and Italian investigations against him had been closed due to lack of evidence. The GOI believes the credibility of the 1267 process is at stake and intends to support Himmat's de-listing, absent new derogatory information. Tomassoni said that delisting a man who was not found guilty would demonstrate the 1267 Committee's goodwill and would render future Committee decisions not to de-list more credible. Nevertheless, if the USG has information that supports keeping Himmat on the list, Tomassoni said the GOI will reconsider its position. ¶2. (U) Post requests guidance on USG position. ¶3. (C) Econoff also delivered reftel demarche on three new Treasury designations for financiers of terrorism. Tomassoni promised to share the information with the Guardia di Finanza and the Italian focal point for the 1267 committee. He also said he would keep the USG updated with any operational follow up. ¶4. (C) Comment: Unlike past Italian de-listing requests which seemed motivated primarily by the threat of petitioner lawsuits in Italian courts, the Italian MFA appears to be pursuing this request because, in the words of Tomassoni, they believe Himmat is probably not a "bad guy." End comment. SPOGLI