INTERNATIONAL WHALING COMMISSION: ITALIAN VIEWS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ROME 000647 SIPDIS OES/OPA - LISA PHELPS FLORENCE FOR SAN MARINO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EFIS SENV PREL KSCA IWC IT SUBJECT: INTERNATIONAL WHALING COMMISSION: ITALIAN VIEWS Ref: State 57029 ¶1. Summary. Italian International Whaling Commissioner Giuseppe Ambrosio responded on June 8 to our inquiries regarding the upcoming International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting (reftel). Among the key points: Italy supports keeping the Small Working Group (SWG) closed to observers, and believes it could be useful to reduce the number of SWG members. In light of this, and because Italy feels well-represented by the current and upcoming EU Presidency countries, Italy is considering withdrawing from future SWG meetings. Italy would support Dr. L. Rojas Bracho (Mexico) as Commission Chair; Mr. O. Samsing (Denmark),Mr. A. Nakamae (Japan), or Prof. J. M. M. M. Palmeirim (Portugal) as Vice-Chair; and Dr. W. Hogarth as SWG Chair. End summary. ¶2. Below, in Q and A format, are reftel questions and the text of Commissioner Ambrosio's reply, slightly edited to improve readability. a. Q: What are your recommendations for continuation of the "Future" process, with a goal towards reaching a consensus package by the 2010 annual meeting? A: Italy believes that in order to achieve a consensus on any package, a serious political effort will need to be made to avoid predetermined positions and/or blocks. They see the current practice of forming geographically- or policy-oriented groups of countries as a serious threat to the IWC. In addition, Italy believes that any proposed package will need to be strongly based on the scientific advice of the IWC Scientific Committee, according to the current existing procedures. No dangerous shortcuts and/or temporary solutions can be acceptable. b. Q: Should the meetings be open to observers? A: Italy holds that SWG meetings should remain closed to observers. That will permit continuation of the current candid discussions that may not necessarily represent the actual or final position of countries. In Italy's view, this is one of the main positive aspects of the work of this WG. The suggestion of having closed meetings was tabled by Prof. Juma at the London meeting and it represents a normal practice in sensitive international negotiations. c. Q: Should there be a limit on the number of countries that participate in these discussions? A: A smaller number would probably help more the current process, provided that a good geographical and "cultural" representativeness is maintained. For this reason, Italy is currently considering withdrawing for the next meetings, given the fact that Italy feels well represented by the current and next EC Presidencies (Czech Republic and Sweden). It is also true that if some Member Country does not feel represented, it has the full right to be included. d. Q: Given the important role the IWC Chair and ROME 00000647 002 OF 002 Vice-Chair have played throughout this process, what recommendations do you have as to who the next Chair and Vice-Chair of the Commission should be? ¶A. Italy believes that Dr. L. Rojas Bracho (Mexico) would be a competent and balanced Chair and that Mr. O. Samsing (Denmark) or Mr. A. Nakamae (Japan) could be competent Vice-Chairs. However, Italy is not aware if these distinguished commissioners are interested in these vacancies. On the other hand, Italy is unofficially aware that Prof. J. M. M. M. Palmeirim (Portugal) is open to nomination and Italy would see also this as a reasonable option. e. Q: An expert in multilateral negotiations has chaired the SWG. e.1: Has this been effective? ¶A. Yes. e.2: What recommendations, if any, do you have regarding the chairmanship of the SWG? ¶A. In order to optimise the current limited resources of the IWC, Italy believes that Dr. W. Hogarth could be an excellent chair of this group. Dibble