Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09MILAN204
2009-10-05 09:17:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Consulate Milan
Cable title:
NORTHERN LEAGUE LEADER BOSSI: "WE WILL NEVER
how-toINFO LOG-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 CIAE-00 INL-00 DODE-00 DS-00 EAP-00 DHSE-00 VCI-00 H-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 MOFM-00 MOF-00 VCIE-00 DCP-00 NSAE-00 ISN-00 ISNE-00 DOHS-00 FMPC-00 SP-00 SSO-00 SS-00 NCTC-00 DSCC-00 PRM-00 NFAT-00 SAS-00 FA-00 SRAP-00 SWCI-00 /000W R 050917Z OCT 09 FM AMCONSUL MILAN TO SECSTATE WASHDC 1853 INFO AMEMBASSY ROME AMCONSUL FLORENCE AMCONSUL NAPLES
C O N F I D E N T I A L MILAN 000204
NOFORN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/02/2039
TAGS: PREL PROG
SUBJECT: NORTHERN LEAGUE LEADER BOSSI: "WE WILL NEVER
ABANDON THE U.S. IN AFGHANISTAN"
Classified By: Consul General Carol Perez for reasons 1.4(B) and (D).
C O N F I D E N T I A L MILAN 000204
NOFORN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/02/2039
TAGS: PREL PROG
SUBJECT: NORTHERN LEAGUE LEADER BOSSI: "WE WILL NEVER
ABANDON THE U.S. IN AFGHANISTAN"
Classified By: Consul General Carol Perez for reasons 1.4(B) and (D).
1. (C/NF) In an introductory meeting with the Consul
General, Northern League leader Umberto Bossi confirmed his
party's commitment to continued parliamentary support for
Italy's deployment to Afghanistan. Bossi told us he promised
Prime Minister Berlusconi that he would never endanger
government stability over the mission, and that Italy would
"never abandon the United States in Afghanistan." Bossi also
acknowledged the difficulties in the mission, commenting on
the difficulty of planting democracy in Afghanistan, the
irregularities in the Afghan elections, and the difficulty in
controlling the territory. Thanking the CG for her
condolences for the recent Italian casualties, Bossi went on
to call the deaths "embarassing", a reference to his support
for the mission and the personal responsibility he feels for
those losses. Responding to the CG's statement on the
importance of public support, Bossi said that Italians are
worried about the mission. They are concerned about the
dangers that Italian soldiers face and fear that it will be
impossible to achieve stability or democracy there. For these
reasons, Bossi said that he must "speak to the people." In
conclusion, Bossi called the American decision to launch the
war in Afghanistan "courageous", saying that a response to
the 9/11 attacks was important. He praised the efforts at
eradicating opium fields. He added that without this war,
cities like Milan would be in greater danger from terrorist
attacks. Comment: We can expect the Northern League to
continue to criticize the war in Afghanistan, particularly in
the event of more Italian casualties. However, Bossi made it
clear that as long as this government is in place, the
Northern League will support the mission. End Comment.
PEREZ
NOFORN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/02/2039
TAGS: PREL PROG
SUBJECT: NORTHERN LEAGUE LEADER BOSSI: "WE WILL NEVER
ABANDON THE U.S. IN AFGHANISTAN"
Classified By: Consul General Carol Perez for reasons 1.4(B) and (D).
1. (C/NF) In an introductory meeting with the Consul
General, Northern League leader Umberto Bossi confirmed his
party's commitment to continued parliamentary support for
Italy's deployment to Afghanistan. Bossi told us he promised
Prime Minister Berlusconi that he would never endanger
government stability over the mission, and that Italy would
"never abandon the United States in Afghanistan." Bossi also
acknowledged the difficulties in the mission, commenting on
the difficulty of planting democracy in Afghanistan, the
irregularities in the Afghan elections, and the difficulty in
controlling the territory. Thanking the CG for her
condolences for the recent Italian casualties, Bossi went on
to call the deaths "embarassing", a reference to his support
for the mission and the personal responsibility he feels for
those losses. Responding to the CG's statement on the
importance of public support, Bossi said that Italians are
worried about the mission. They are concerned about the
dangers that Italian soldiers face and fear that it will be
impossible to achieve stability or democracy there. For these
reasons, Bossi said that he must "speak to the people." In
conclusion, Bossi called the American decision to launch the
war in Afghanistan "courageous", saying that a response to
the 9/11 attacks was important. He praised the efforts at
eradicating opium fields. He added that without this war,
cities like Milan would be in greater danger from terrorist
attacks. Comment: We can expect the Northern League to
continue to criticize the war in Afghanistan, particularly in
the event of more Italian casualties. However, Bossi made it
clear that as long as this government is in place, the
Northern League will support the mission. End Comment.
PEREZ