Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ROME867
2009-07-29 08:15:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rome
Cable title:
ITALY BLOCKS SALE OF YACHTS TO N. KOREA,
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHRO #0867 2100815 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 290815Z JUL 09 FM AMEMBASSY ROME TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2461 INFO RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 000867
SIPDIS
ISN/CPI: CHALMERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/26/2019
TAGS: ECON EFIN PARM PREL KNNP
SUBJECT: ITALY BLOCKS SALE OF YACHTS TO N. KOREA,
IMPLEMENTS 1874
REF: STATE 66250
Classified By: Econ Counselor William R. Meara
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).Q1. (C) On 15 July Econoff delivered reftel demarche
concerning implementation of UNSCR 1874 financial measures
against North Korea to Maria Ivana Cardillo, a sanctions
officer at the ITALIAN Ministry of Finance. Cardillo had no
substantive response at the time but took great interest in
Post's emphasis on the ban on the supply, sale or transfer of
luxury goods to North Korea, as well as the need to issue
advisory notices to banks and other financial institutions
about North Korea's deceptive financial practices. Cardillo
said she would share these provisions with the Ministry of
Economic Development.
2. (U) On 23 July Italy blocked the sale of two luxury
yachts, worth $18 million, that were to be sold to Kim
Jong-Il, in violation of UN sanctions. Colonel Antonio Leone
of Italy's financial police was quoted in press reports as
saying, "It is an irrefutable fact (that Kim was the intended
final recipient of the vessels)." North Korea had used an
Austria intermediary, a passthrough Chinese company, and a
Hong Kong business to camouflage its business with the
Azimut-Benetti boatyard. The yachts were initially seized by
Italy's Ministry of Economic Development, but have since been
returned to the boatyard, which was allowed to keep the
deposit.
3. (C) Comment: As one of the world's largest exporters of
luxury goods Italy has unusually strong influence on the
success or failure of UNSCR 1874 implementation; Post is
pleased to see evidence of ITALIAN commitment to these
financial measures.
DIBBLE
SIPDIS
ISN/CPI: CHALMERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/26/2019
TAGS: ECON EFIN PARM PREL KNNP
SUBJECT: ITALY BLOCKS SALE OF YACHTS TO N. KOREA,
IMPLEMENTS 1874
REF: STATE 66250
Classified By: Econ Counselor William R. Meara
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).Q1. (C) On 15 July Econoff delivered reftel demarche
concerning implementation of UNSCR 1874 financial measures
against North Korea to Maria Ivana Cardillo, a sanctions
officer at the ITALIAN Ministry of Finance. Cardillo had no
substantive response at the time but took great interest in
Post's emphasis on the ban on the supply, sale or transfer of
luxury goods to North Korea, as well as the need to issue
advisory notices to banks and other financial institutions
about North Korea's deceptive financial practices. Cardillo
said she would share these provisions with the Ministry of
Economic Development.
2. (U) On 23 July Italy blocked the sale of two luxury
yachts, worth $18 million, that were to be sold to Kim
Jong-Il, in violation of UN sanctions. Colonel Antonio Leone
of Italy's financial police was quoted in press reports as
saying, "It is an irrefutable fact (that Kim was the intended
final recipient of the vessels)." North Korea had used an
Austria intermediary, a passthrough Chinese company, and a
Hong Kong business to camouflage its business with the
Azimut-Benetti boatyard. The yachts were initially seized by
Italy's Ministry of Economic Development, but have since been
returned to the boatyard, which was allowed to keep the
deposit.
3. (C) Comment: As one of the world's largest exporters of
luxury goods Italy has unusually strong influence on the
success or failure of UNSCR 1874 implementation; Post is
pleased to see evidence of ITALIAN commitment to these
financial measures.
DIBBLE