Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ROME969
2009-08-21 15:35:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rome
Cable title:
ITALIAN REACTION TO EXPANDED CGPCS PARTICIPATION
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ROME 000969
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/18/2019
TAGS: MARR MOPS EWWT KCRM NATO PBTS PGOV PHSA PREL
PTER, IT
SUBJECT: ITALIAN REACTION TO EXPANDED CGPCS PARTICIPATION
PROPOSAL
REF: A. STATE 66632
B. STATE 4610
C. ROME 1567
Classified By: Acting Political Minister Counselor Liam Wasley for Reas
ons 1.4 (B) and (D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ROME 000969
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/18/2019
TAGS: MARR MOPS EWWT KCRM NATO PBTS PGOV PHSA PREL
PTER, IT
SUBJECT: ITALIAN REACTION TO EXPANDED CGPCS PARTICIPATION
PROPOSAL
REF: A. STATE 66632
B. STATE 4610
C. ROME 1567
Classified By: Acting Political Minister Counselor Liam Wasley for Reas
ons 1.4 (B) and (D)
1. (C) On August 19, Acting Political Minister Counselor and
Poloffs informed Italian MFA Director for Political-Military
Affairs Massimo Marotti of the U.S. interest in expanding
participation in Contact Group for Piracy off the Coast of
Somalia (CGPCS) fora chaired by the U.S.(Ref A). Marotti
told us he believed that the CGPCS had proved extremely
useful, because it provided an umbrella to coordinate
activity occurring simultaneously in multiple fora. He
thought that the Working Groups had made the most significant
contributions since they brought together those with the
resources and will to tackle the problems. While Marotti
acknowledged that contributions to the CGPCS need not be
limited to providing military forces, he considered the lack
of a clear process for accession problematic. He also was
skeptical that simply expanding participation would increase
CGCPS effectiveness. Marotti noted that China had previously
expressed interest in joining the CGPCS, but the lack of a
mechanism for joining had so far precluded action on China's
request. Marotti also asked how the CGPCS decision-making
process would be affected by new members, who were not part
of the working group focusing on counter-piracy operational
and intelligence support and coordination (Ref B).
2. (C) Marotti also noted that it would be helpful and more
politically palatable if there were more transparent criteria
for membership and for exclusion. For example, he posited
that excluding all countries under current UNSC sanctions
would be a better and more defensible standard, but
acknowledged that Somali participation was critical to
success.
ROME 00000969 002 OF 002
Comment
--------------
3. (C) Marotti's less than enthusiastic response to the idea
of opening up CGPCS membership to any country that expresses
interest, regardless of its capacity to effectively
contribute, may be due to a belief that expanded
participation without clear selection criteria would dilute
the influence of countries like Italy which have made
significant contributions. It is also worth noting that
membership in an "exclusive" body was instrumental in
mobilizing resources and political will in Italy when the
CGPCS was launched. (Note: Italy has one frigate each
deployed to NATO's SNMG-2 (Standing NATO Maritime Group-2)
and to the EU's ATALANTA mission. End note.) Italy has also
amended its judicial procedures to permit the arrest and
prosecution of persons suspected of piracy seized on the high
seas (Ref C). End comment.
DIBBLE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/18/2019
TAGS: MARR MOPS EWWT KCRM NATO PBTS PGOV PHSA PREL
PTER, IT
SUBJECT: ITALIAN REACTION TO EXPANDED CGPCS PARTICIPATION
PROPOSAL
REF: A. STATE 66632
B. STATE 4610
C. ROME 1567
Classified By: Acting Political Minister Counselor Liam Wasley for Reas
ons 1.4 (B) and (D)
1. (C) On August 19, Acting Political Minister Counselor and
Poloffs informed Italian MFA Director for Political-Military
Affairs Massimo Marotti of the U.S. interest in expanding
participation in Contact Group for Piracy off the Coast of
Somalia (CGPCS) fora chaired by the U.S.(Ref A). Marotti
told us he believed that the CGPCS had proved extremely
useful, because it provided an umbrella to coordinate
activity occurring simultaneously in multiple fora. He
thought that the Working Groups had made the most significant
contributions since they brought together those with the
resources and will to tackle the problems. While Marotti
acknowledged that contributions to the CGPCS need not be
limited to providing military forces, he considered the lack
of a clear process for accession problematic. He also was
skeptical that simply expanding participation would increase
CGCPS effectiveness. Marotti noted that China had previously
expressed interest in joining the CGPCS, but the lack of a
mechanism for joining had so far precluded action on China's
request. Marotti also asked how the CGPCS decision-making
process would be affected by new members, who were not part
of the working group focusing on counter-piracy operational
and intelligence support and coordination (Ref B).
2. (C) Marotti also noted that it would be helpful and more
politically palatable if there were more transparent criteria
for membership and for exclusion. For example, he posited
that excluding all countries under current UNSC sanctions
would be a better and more defensible standard, but
acknowledged that Somali participation was critical to
success.
ROME 00000969 002 OF 002
Comment
--------------
3. (C) Marotti's less than enthusiastic response to the idea
of opening up CGPCS membership to any country that expresses
interest, regardless of its capacity to effectively
contribute, may be due to a belief that expanded
participation without clear selection criteria would dilute
the influence of countries like Italy which have made
significant contributions. It is also worth noting that
membership in an "exclusive" body was instrumental in
mobilizing resources and political will in Italy when the
CGPCS was launched. (Note: Italy has one frigate each
deployed to NATO's SNMG-2 (Standing NATO Maritime Group-2)
and to the EU's ATALANTA mission. End note.) Italy has also
amended its judicial procedures to permit the arrest and
prosecution of persons suspected of piracy seized on the high
seas (Ref C). End comment.
DIBBLE