Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ROME316
2008-03-12 17:15:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rome
Cable title:
ITALY: FIRST SECRETARY WILL ATTEND MARCH 14 BEIRUT
how-toVZCZCXRO3029 OO RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHRO #0316 0721715 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 121715Z MAR 08 FM AMEMBASSY ROME TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9980 INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEHROV/AMEMBASSY VATICAN IMMEDIATE 0759 RUEHFL/AMCONSUL FLORENCE IMMEDIATE 2952 RUEHMIL/AMCONSUL MILAN IMMEDIATE 9296 RUEHNP/AMCONSUL NAPLES IMMEDIATE 3104
C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 000316
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/13/2018
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREF PTER MASS PARM SY IS LE IT
SUBJECT: ITALY: FIRST SECRETARY WILL ATTEND MARCH 14 BEIRUT
CONFERENCE
REF: STATE 24262
Classified By: Acting Political Minister Counselor Jonathan Cohen for r
easons 1.4 b and d
C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 000316
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/13/2018
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREF PTER MASS PARM SY IS LE IT
SUBJECT: ITALY: FIRST SECRETARY WILL ATTEND MARCH 14 BEIRUT
CONFERENCE
REF: STATE 24262
Classified By: Acting Political Minister Counselor Jonathan Cohen for r
easons 1.4 b and d
1. (C) POLOFF delivered reftel points requesting Italian
participation in the March 14 Beirut Conference to MFA
Syria/Lebanon Desk Officer Michele Tommasi March 10. At
poloff's urging Tommasi said Italy had decided to send a
first secretary to the conference. This was a reversal of
Italy's earlier decision not to participate in the conference
at any level. He said Italy's original reluctance to
participate at any level, and decision not to participate at
a high-level, stemmed from their desire to remain neutral and
not to be perceived as having taken sides. Tommasi said he
doubted there would be any significant EU participation in
the conference, certainly not from EU capitals and asked who
would be participating from the USG. He stressed that this
did not in any way undercut Italy's strong support for the
Siniora government.
2. (C) Tommasi said Italy had argued against authorizing
Solana to speak for the EU on Lebanon in the March 10 GAERC
discussions on the subject. He said Italy wanted to see a
common EU position on Lebanon emerge and that had to happen
before they could agree to authorizing Solana, or anyone
else, to speak for the EU on Lebanon.
SPOGLI
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/13/2018
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREF PTER MASS PARM SY IS LE IT
SUBJECT: ITALY: FIRST SECRETARY WILL ATTEND MARCH 14 BEIRUT
CONFERENCE
REF: STATE 24262
Classified By: Acting Political Minister Counselor Jonathan Cohen for r
easons 1.4 b and d
1. (C) POLOFF delivered reftel points requesting Italian
participation in the March 14 Beirut Conference to MFA
Syria/Lebanon Desk Officer Michele Tommasi March 10. At
poloff's urging Tommasi said Italy had decided to send a
first secretary to the conference. This was a reversal of
Italy's earlier decision not to participate in the conference
at any level. He said Italy's original reluctance to
participate at any level, and decision not to participate at
a high-level, stemmed from their desire to remain neutral and
not to be perceived as having taken sides. Tommasi said he
doubted there would be any significant EU participation in
the conference, certainly not from EU capitals and asked who
would be participating from the USG. He stressed that this
did not in any way undercut Italy's strong support for the
Siniora government.
2. (C) Tommasi said Italy had argued against authorizing
Solana to speak for the EU on Lebanon in the March 10 GAERC
discussions on the subject. He said Italy wanted to see a
common EU position on Lebanon emerge and that had to happen
before they could agree to authorizing Solana, or anyone
else, to speak for the EU on Lebanon.
SPOGLI