Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ROME868
2009-07-29 08:20:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Rome
Cable title:
ITALY UNDECIDED ON ATTENDING AUSTRALIAN GROUP
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHRO #0868 2100820 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 290820Z JUL 09 FM AMEMBASSY ROME TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2462
UNCLAS ROME 000868
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
ISN/CB: SOUZA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PARM PREL ETTC CBW
SUBJECT: ITALY UNDECIDED ON ATTENDING AUSTRALIAN GROUP
MEETINGS IN SEPTEMBER
REF: STATE 67207
UNCLAS ROME 000868
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
ISN/CB: SOUZA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PARM PREL ETTC CBW
SUBJECT: ITALY UNDECIDED ON ATTENDING AUSTRALIAN GROUP
MEETINGS IN SEPTEMBER
REF: STATE 67207
1. (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 3.
2. (SBU) On 14 July Econoff delivered reftel demarche
concerning Italy's attendance at the 21-25 September
Australia Group (AG) plenary session. The meetings will focus
on chemical and biological weapons, terrorist attempts to
procure sensitive technology, and examples of export control
success. Pierfrancesco De Cerchio, an MFA export control
official, said that Italy had not yet decided whether to
attend the session, and that the decision would likely depend
on whether there were funds in the MFA's budget to send a
delegation to Paris. Post noted the conference's focus on
export controls and suggested that Italy would be a valuable
participant, but De Cerchio said it would be difficult to
gauge the value of Italian participation without a more
detailed agenda than that provided in reftel demarche. With
or without the agenda, De Cerchio said he likely would not
know if sufficient funds were in the budget until early
September, at which point Italy will decide whether to send a
delegation.
3. (U) Post requests a copy of the AG plenary meeting
agenda, if one exists, in order to improve the chances of
Italian participation.
DIBBLE
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
ISN/CB: SOUZA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PARM PREL ETTC CBW
SUBJECT: ITALY UNDECIDED ON ATTENDING AUSTRALIAN GROUP
MEETINGS IN SEPTEMBER
REF: STATE 67207
1. (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 3.
2. (SBU) On 14 July Econoff delivered reftel demarche
concerning Italy's attendance at the 21-25 September
Australia Group (AG) plenary session. The meetings will focus
on chemical and biological weapons, terrorist attempts to
procure sensitive technology, and examples of export control
success. Pierfrancesco De Cerchio, an MFA export control
official, said that Italy had not yet decided whether to
attend the session, and that the decision would likely depend
on whether there were funds in the MFA's budget to send a
delegation to Paris. Post noted the conference's focus on
export controls and suggested that Italy would be a valuable
participant, but De Cerchio said it would be difficult to
gauge the value of Italian participation without a more
detailed agenda than that provided in reftel demarche. With
or without the agenda, De Cerchio said he likely would not
know if sufficient funds were in the budget until early
September, at which point Italy will decide whether to send a
delegation.
3. (U) Post requests a copy of the AG plenary meeting
agenda, if one exists, in order to improve the chances of
Italian participation.
DIBBLE