ITALY TO ATTEND JUNE VIENNA CONFERENCE ON LEBANON

C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 000716 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/06/2018 TAGS: EAID PGOV PREL PHUM LE UNRWA IT SUBJECT: ITALY TO ATTEND JUNE VIENNA CONFERENCE ON LEBANON REF: STATE 60216 Classified By: Political Officer Stephen Anderson for reasons 1.4 b and d (C) Poloff delivered reftel demarche encouraging Italian high-level participation in the June 23 Vienna Conference on Lebanon to Michele Tomassi, MFA Lebanon desk on June 5. Tomassi said Italy planned to attend the conference but had not yet decided on the exact delegation nor on the size of their pledge. He noted Italy was already making a very large contribution to Lebanon both in financial assistance and as the single largest troop contributor to UNIFIL. Econoff also delivered points to Antonello De Riu, head of MFA Middle East Assistance, who noted that the Austrian Ambassador had also called to schedule an appointment to discuss the conference and Italy's level of participation. Confirming what Tomassi said, De Riu underscored Italy's commitment to Lebanon, and noted that appointments at the MFA for the development bureau are scheduled to be finalized within the next ten days. Italian participation at the Lebanon conference will be determined once the new appointments are in place. SPOGLI