Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ROME1272
2009-11-17 16:51:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rome
Cable title:
AFGHANISTAN: ITALY SUPPORTIVE OF U.S. PRIORITIES
how-toVZCZCXRO0632 PP RUEHSL DE RUEHRO #1272 3211651 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 171651Z NOV 09 FM AMEMBASSY ROME TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2900 INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 0556 RUEHMIL/AMCONSUL MILAN PRIORITY 0324 RUEHFL/AMCONSUL FLORENCE PRIORITY 3890 RUEHNP/AMCONSUL NAPLES PRIORITY 4104 RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY 3059 RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 001272
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/18/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV IT AF
SUBJECT: AFGHANISTAN: ITALY SUPPORTIVE OF U.S. PRIORITIES
FOR NEW KARZAI GOVERNMENT
REF: STATE 118297
Classified By: Political-Military Counselor J. Liam Wasley for Reasons
1.4 (B) and (D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 001272
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/18/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV IT AF
SUBJECT: AFGHANISTAN: ITALY SUPPORTIVE OF U.S. PRIORITIES
FOR NEW KARZAI GOVERNMENT
REF: STATE 118297
Classified By: Political-Military Counselor J. Liam Wasley for Reasons
1.4 (B) and (D)
1. (C) Poloffs delivered reftel points to Italian MFA
Special Envoy for Afghanistan Sergio Mercuri on November 17.
Mercuri reacted favorably to the demarche, saying that it
tracked closely with the approach envisaged by FM Frattini,
who will attend the inauguration along with MFA Af-Pak Envoy
Massimo Iannucci. Frattini is convinced of the necessity of
making firm demands on Karzai even as we show public support
for his new government, and believes that Italy's long
familiarity with Karzai (who came to Italy frequently during
the exile of King Zaher Shah as part of the Rome Process)
will give it some leverage over him. Mercuri also welcomed
the U.S. position that the UN should continue to lead the way
on message coordination, stressing that for Italy the UN is
the "empowering structure" for international action and that
"undermining it would jeopardize the structure of our
involvement there."
2. (C) Mercuri concurred with the idea of encouraging Karzai
to set benchmarks for Afghan assumption of lead
responsibility for security, governance and development at
the district and provincial level, since it is in line with
the current ANDS approach and would enable an improved
dialogue between PRTs and provinces. He said Italy favors
Afghan-owned benchmarks that are realistic and measurable,
but without strict time limits, to which the Afghans do not
respond well. Mercuri added that the Electoral Complaints
Commission could serve as a valuable model for an
Anti-Corruption Commission with international participation
in that it was able to do its work without impinging on
Afghan sovereignty. He also stressed the need to convey to
the GoIRA the urgency of moving quickly to welcome and
facilitate international efforts such as the European
Commission's Rule of Law Mission, the deployment of which has
been delayed by Afghan slowness to respond.
THORNE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/18/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV IT AF
SUBJECT: AFGHANISTAN: ITALY SUPPORTIVE OF U.S. PRIORITIES
FOR NEW KARZAI GOVERNMENT
REF: STATE 118297
Classified By: Political-Military Counselor J. Liam Wasley for Reasons
1.4 (B) and (D)
1. (C) Poloffs delivered reftel points to Italian MFA
Special Envoy for Afghanistan Sergio Mercuri on November 17.
Mercuri reacted favorably to the demarche, saying that it
tracked closely with the approach envisaged by FM Frattini,
who will attend the inauguration along with MFA Af-Pak Envoy
Massimo Iannucci. Frattini is convinced of the necessity of
making firm demands on Karzai even as we show public support
for his new government, and believes that Italy's long
familiarity with Karzai (who came to Italy frequently during
the exile of King Zaher Shah as part of the Rome Process)
will give it some leverage over him. Mercuri also welcomed
the U.S. position that the UN should continue to lead the way
on message coordination, stressing that for Italy the UN is
the "empowering structure" for international action and that
"undermining it would jeopardize the structure of our
involvement there."
2. (C) Mercuri concurred with the idea of encouraging Karzai
to set benchmarks for Afghan assumption of lead
responsibility for security, governance and development at
the district and provincial level, since it is in line with
the current ANDS approach and would enable an improved
dialogue between PRTs and provinces. He said Italy favors
Afghan-owned benchmarks that are realistic and measurable,
but without strict time limits, to which the Afghans do not
respond well. Mercuri added that the Electoral Complaints
Commission could serve as a valuable model for an
Anti-Corruption Commission with international participation
in that it was able to do its work without impinging on
Afghan sovereignty. He also stressed the need to convey to
the GoIRA the urgency of moving quickly to welcome and
facilitate international efforts such as the European
Commission's Rule of Law Mission, the deployment of which has
been delayed by Afghan slowness to respond.
THORNE