Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ROME1567
2008-12-23 11:28:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy Rome
Cable title:
HOA PIRACY: EMBASSY ROME REQUEST TO INCLUDE ITALY
how-toVZCZCXRO3396 PP RUEHFL RUEHNP DE RUEHRO #1567 3581128 ZNY SSSSS ZZH P 231128Z DEC 08 ZDK FM AMEMBASSY ROME TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1367 INFO RUEHMIL/AMCONSUL MILAN PRIORITY 9728 RUEHFL/AMCONSUL FLORENCE PRIORITY 3355 RUEHNP/AMCONSUL NAPLES PRIORITY 3521 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0941 RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY 2983 RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
S E C R E T ROME 001567
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/23/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR MOPS NATO EWWT KCRM PBTS PHSA
PTER, IT
SUBJECT: HOA PIRACY: EMBASSY ROME REQUEST TO INCLUDE ITALY
IN CONTACT GROUP
REF: HALL-HARTMANN EMAILS 12/18-19/08
Classified By: Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Barbara A. Leaf for Reaso
ns 1.4 (B) and (D)
1 (S) Embassy Rome requests that Italy be invited to join the
now-expanded Contact Group on Somali Piracy. Italy, aside
from being a major contributor to diplomatic, humanitarian
and military efforts in the region, has significant intel
collection capabilities that would contribute to the success
of the Contact Group's efforts. Excluding Italy would
deprive the Contact Group of Italy's valuable capabilities
and experience in the region and could discourage the GOI
from taking a more active role in anti-piracy efforts in
general during its G8 Presidency in 2009. Per ref email
exchange, post has gathered additional information on Italian
capabilities and contributions in the following areas:
¶2. (S/NF) Intel Capabilities:
- The Italian External Intelligence Service has a
long-standing presence in the region and regularly shares
information on Somalia with us.
- The Italian Navy is deploying the ITS ELETTRA, a SIGINT
ship with a robust collection platform, in the Gulf of Aden
and the East coast of Africa from 21 January to 15 April and
has requested U.S. Navy assistance with satellite
communications support.
¶3. (C) Military Capabilities:
- NATO Operation Allied Provider's implementing force
(Standing Maritime Group Two) was commanded by an Italian
Admiral for the duration of the Operation, and Italy
contributed a destroyer (the flagship).
- USAFRICOM's Navy Component Command was launched at Naples
in October 2008, alongside the existing U.S. Command for Navy
Region Europe and the NATO Allied Maritime Command which ran
Operation Allied Provider.
- EU Anti-piracy Operation ATALANTA: The Italian Cabinet on
December 18 approved a commitment of Euro 8.7 million and 114
military personnel to this mission. In a December 18 press
conference MOD La Russa underscored repeatedly that this
additional expenditure required sacrifices in other portions
of the MOD Missions Abroad budget.
- Italian Judicial Authority: in the same Cabinet decree the
MOD inserted legal provisions giving Italian military
commanders expanded legal authority under Italian law to
implement international legal provisions allowing for the
arrest and prosecution of persons suspected of piracy when
seized on the high seas.
¶4. (SBU) Diplomatic/Humanitarian Capabilities
- Italy plays an active role in, and was a founding member
of, the International Contact Group on Somalia.
- Italy holds the G-8 presidency starting in January and
plans to place a renewed emphasis on Africa.
- Italy is active in the region as former colonial power and
significant provider of humanitarian aid.
¶5. (U) Post is available for further follow-up as necessary.
DIBBLE