Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ROME173
2009-02-12 14:32:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Rome
Cable title:
IRAN: ITALY FAULTS GERMANS FOR DELAYS OF EU
how-toVZCZCXRO0245 PP RUEHAG RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHRO #0173 0431432 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 121432Z FEB 09 FM AMEMBASSY ROME TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1613 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHFL/AMCONSUL FLORENCE PRIORITY 3460 RUEHMIL/AMCONSUL MILAN PRIORITY 9841 RUEHNP/AMCONSUL NAPLES PRIORITY 3633 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY 4748
C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 000173
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/12/2019
TAGS: PREL KNNC ETTC EFIN IT
SUBJECT: IRAN: ITALY FAULTS GERMANS FOR DELAYS OF EU
DESIGNATIONS
Classified By: Acting DCM Barbara A. Leaf for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 000173
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/12/2019
TAGS: PREL KNNC ETTC EFIN IT
SUBJECT: IRAN: ITALY FAULTS GERMANS FOR DELAYS OF EU
DESIGNATIONS
Classified By: Acting DCM Barbara A. Leaf for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).
1. (C/NF) Summary. Italy faults Germany for postponing
recent EU-level experts meetings on new Iran
proliferation-related designations that were scheduled for
February 11. The MFA is concerned the EU is losing momentum
while waiting for US policy announcements and highlighted
that every small delay now will only magnify the delays later
and could damage successful end results. End summary.
2. (C/NF) According to Italian MFA Office Director for
Disarmament and Arms Control, Emanuele Farruggia (protect),
Italy submitted in good faith additional entities and
individuals for consideration with the full intent that,
after the required 14 review days, the EU member states would
consider adding these entities to the sanctions designation
list. Farruggia said the German request to postpone the
Council working group on non-proliferation and the regional
experts meeting (scheduled for February 11) was news to
Italy, suggesting Berlin was using the GOI submission as a
pretext simply to halt further work on sanctions. He noted
that the Iranian entities Italy had submitted had approached
Italian firms and that Italy had wanted to address this issue
promptly.
3. (C/NF) Farruggia expressed his concern that there was not
agreement within the EU4 on the list itself and again
highlighted Germany's delay as unhelpful. According to
Farruggia, Italy had anticipated moving forward but found
that along with Germany, Cyprus, Portugal, Spain and to a
lesser degree Sweden, resisted moving forward - claiming to
want additional guidance on US policies. He relayed that the
EU4 were discussing holding a meeting in March (location and
date to be determined) to attempt to gain more agreement on
next steps and to build consensus. Farruggia stressed that
with every small delay, the end results would only be further
delayed.
4. (C/NF) Comment: Our MFA interlocutor was discouraged by
Germany's move. The GOI appears serious to us about wanting
to move ahead on EU measures, and shares our sense of concern
that now is not the time to suspend this type of activity.
They have taken seriously our message, most recently conveyed
by U/S Burns at the February 2 G8 Political Directors Meeting
in Venice, that the US policy review on Iran should not delay
further movement on EU or National measures.
DIBBLE
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/12/2019
TAGS: PREL KNNC ETTC EFIN IT
SUBJECT: IRAN: ITALY FAULTS GERMANS FOR DELAYS OF EU
DESIGNATIONS
Classified By: Acting DCM Barbara A. Leaf for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).
1. (C/NF) Summary. Italy faults Germany for postponing
recent EU-level experts meetings on new Iran
proliferation-related designations that were scheduled for
February 11. The MFA is concerned the EU is losing momentum
while waiting for US policy announcements and highlighted
that every small delay now will only magnify the delays later
and could damage successful end results. End summary.
2. (C/NF) According to Italian MFA Office Director for
Disarmament and Arms Control, Emanuele Farruggia (protect),
Italy submitted in good faith additional entities and
individuals for consideration with the full intent that,
after the required 14 review days, the EU member states would
consider adding these entities to the sanctions designation
list. Farruggia said the German request to postpone the
Council working group on non-proliferation and the regional
experts meeting (scheduled for February 11) was news to
Italy, suggesting Berlin was using the GOI submission as a
pretext simply to halt further work on sanctions. He noted
that the Iranian entities Italy had submitted had approached
Italian firms and that Italy had wanted to address this issue
promptly.
3. (C/NF) Farruggia expressed his concern that there was not
agreement within the EU4 on the list itself and again
highlighted Germany's delay as unhelpful. According to
Farruggia, Italy had anticipated moving forward but found
that along with Germany, Cyprus, Portugal, Spain and to a
lesser degree Sweden, resisted moving forward - claiming to
want additional guidance on US policies. He relayed that the
EU4 were discussing holding a meeting in March (location and
date to be determined) to attempt to gain more agreement on
next steps and to build consensus. Farruggia stressed that
with every small delay, the end results would only be further
delayed.
4. (C/NF) Comment: Our MFA interlocutor was discouraged by
Germany's move. The GOI appears serious to us about wanting
to move ahead on EU measures, and shares our sense of concern
that now is not the time to suspend this type of activity.
They have taken seriously our message, most recently conveyed
by U/S Burns at the February 2 G8 Political Directors Meeting
in Venice, that the US policy review on Iran should not delay
further movement on EU or National measures.
DIBBLE