Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ROME586
2008-05-09 15:09:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rome
Cable title:
LEBANON: ITALY SUPPORTIVE OF SINIORA GOVERNMENT IN
how-toVZCZCXRO9882 OO RUEHROV DE RUEHRO #0586 1301509 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 091509Z MAY 08 FM AMEMBASSY ROME TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0295 INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHMIL/AMCONSUL MILAN PRIORITY 9378 RUEHFL/AMCONSUL FLORENCE PRIORITY 3036 RUEHNP/AMCONSUL NAPLES PRIORITY 3188 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY 4630
C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 000586
SIPDIS
NEA/ELA FOR MATTHEW IRWIN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 5/10/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER LE IT
SUBJECT: LEBANON: ITALY SUPPORTIVE OF SINIORA GOVERNMENT IN
HEZBOLLAH STANDOFF
REF: A. STATE 49259
B. ROME 579
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 000586
SIPDIS
NEA/ELA FOR MATTHEW IRWIN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 5/10/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER LE IT
SUBJECT: LEBANON: ITALY SUPPORTIVE OF SINIORA GOVERNMENT IN
HEZBOLLAH STANDOFF
REF: A. STATE 49259
B. ROME 579
Classified By: Acting Political Minister-Counselor Jonathan Cohen for R
easons 1.4 (B) and (D)
1. (C) POLOFF delivered reftel demarche to Italian MFA
Lebanon/Syria Desk Officer Michele Tommasi on May 9. Tommasi
said that Italian Ambassador to Lebanon Gabriele Cecchia had
already delivered a strong message of support to the Siniora
Government and to General Sleiman and would continue to do
so. He said that he expected a strong EU statement in
support of Siniora to come out soon and that the new Italian
Foreign Minister, Franco Frattini (sworn in on May 8),had
already given clear public indications that he intends to
take a tougher line with Hezbollah and Damascus. (Note:
Frattini expressed similar sentiments in his May 8 meeting
with the Ambassador (Reftel)). The MFA has not delivered
instructions to the Italian Embassy in Damascus, but might do
so if the Syrian Government does not show a willingness to
play a positive role in the crisis.
SPOGLI
SIPDIS
NEA/ELA FOR MATTHEW IRWIN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 5/10/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER LE IT
SUBJECT: LEBANON: ITALY SUPPORTIVE OF SINIORA GOVERNMENT IN
HEZBOLLAH STANDOFF
REF: A. STATE 49259
B. ROME 579
Classified By: Acting Political Minister-Counselor Jonathan Cohen for R
easons 1.4 (B) and (D)
1. (C) POLOFF delivered reftel demarche to Italian MFA
Lebanon/Syria Desk Officer Michele Tommasi on May 9. Tommasi
said that Italian Ambassador to Lebanon Gabriele Cecchia had
already delivered a strong message of support to the Siniora
Government and to General Sleiman and would continue to do
so. He said that he expected a strong EU statement in
support of Siniora to come out soon and that the new Italian
Foreign Minister, Franco Frattini (sworn in on May 8),had
already given clear public indications that he intends to
take a tougher line with Hezbollah and Damascus. (Note:
Frattini expressed similar sentiments in his May 8 meeting
with the Ambassador (Reftel)). The MFA has not delivered
instructions to the Italian Embassy in Damascus, but might do
so if the Syrian Government does not show a willingness to
play a positive role in the crisis.
SPOGLI