ITALY WELCOMES NASA-CNSA TALKS, STRATEGIC SPACE

S E C R E T ROME 000828 SIPDIS DEPT FOR ISN/MDSP RICHARD BUENNEKE DEPT FOR OES/SAT DAVID TURNER PARIS FOR NASA BILL BARRY E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/02/2018 TAGS: PARM PREL TSPA TPHY TSPL KSCA CH IT SUBJECT: ITALY WELCOMES NASA-CNSA TALKS, STRATEGIC SPACE DIALOGUE REF: SECSTATE 67989 Classified By: Acting Economic Minister Counselor William Meara for reasons 1.4 (a) (d) (e) and (g). ¶1. (U) SCICOUNS delivered reftel non-paper to Giovanni Manfredi, Director for Energy, Space, High Technology and Aerospace and Defense Programs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on June 27, 2008. Manfredi,s successor, Counselor Roberto Liotto, also attended the meeting. Due to reorganization at the MFA, Liotto will serve as Head of the MFA,s Space, Technology, Defense, Nuclear Issues, and Non-Proliferation Office (like Manfredi, in the Directorate General for Multilateral Economic Cooperation). ¶2. (S) Manfredi responded positively to the news that the U.S. is opening limited space cooperation talks with China. Both he and Liotto, who is now and will remain responsible for non-proliferation and defense-related export controls for the MFA, expressed appreciation for the U.S. assurances that all cooperation will be in accordance with extant law and policy, including export control laws. They also welcomed the offer of a read-out on the June 30-July 1 National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)-China National Space Administration (CNSA) meetings. Manfredi said he would pass the non-paper to other interested parties in the GOI, including the Italian Space Agency. ¶3. (C) On June 30, POLOFF discussed reftel with MFA Non-Proliferation Office Director Emanuele Farruggia (of the Political Affairs Directorate General). Farruggia appreciated hearing that we look forward to bilateral strategic space dialogues. He said Fabrizio Bucci at the Italian Embassy in Washington is the Italian point of contact on this issue and that the Italians would be ready to move forward anytime. They propose expert level consultations (Farruggia would participate for the Italians) and are willing to host in Rome or travel to DC. ¶4. (U) Delivery of the non-paper to the MFA was synchronized with its delivery to the European Space Agency by the NASA Overseas Representative in Paris. SPOGLI SPOGLI