(C) KUDOS AND FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS ON ITALIAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 130971

NOFORN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/24/2034
TAGS: PINR MARR NATO PGOV PREL AL BK IT KV
SUBJECT: (C) KUDOS AND FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS ON ITALIAN
POLICY IN THE WESTERN BALKANS (C) (C-RE9-02453)

REF: A. ROME 000341

B. ROME 000877

C. ROME 001275

D. SARAJEVO 001241

Classified By: ELISSA G. PITTERLE, DIRECTOR, INR/OPS. REASON: 1.4(C).


1. (C/NF) WASHINGTON ANALYSTS APPRECIATED REFS ON ITALY'S
POLICY TOWARDS THE BALKANS. WE ARE CLOSELY MONITORING
DEVELOPMENTS RELATED TO THE GRADUAL DRAWDOWN OF ITALIAN
FORCES IN THE BALKANS AND ARE ASSESSING ITALY'S CONTINUED
COMMITMENT AND POLITICAL POLICY IN THE BALKANS, IN THE EVENT
OF A PULL-OUT OF US TROOPS FROM THE REGION. THIS ISSUE IS OF
GREAT CONCERN TO POLICYMAKERS, AND ANALYSTS WOULD APPRECIATE
ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ON ITALY'S CONTINUED COMMITMENT AND
POLITICAL POLICY IN THE BALKANS, AS TIME AND RESOURCES PERMIT.


A. (C/REL TO USA, FVEY) WHAT IS ITALY'S POLITICAL POSITION
IN THE BALKANS, PRIMARILY IN ALBANIA, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, AND
KOSOVO?


B. (C/REL TO USA, FVEY) IF ITALY DECREASES ITS TROOP SIZE,
WHAT TYPE OF AN INTERNATIONAL ROLE WILL IT PLAY IN POLICIES
AFFECTING ALBANIA, KOSOVO, AND BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA?


C. (C/REL TO USA, FVEY) HOW DOES THE NORTHERN LEAGUE'S VIEW
ON DOMESTIC POLICY AFFECT THE COUNTRY'S MISSIONS ABROAD?


D. (C/REL TO USA, FVEY) WHAT ARE ITALY'S COMMERCIAL
INVESTMENTS IN THE BALKANS AND DOES IT PLAN TO INCREASE OR
DECREASE ITS INVESTMENTS ONCE ITS TROOPS LEAVE?


E. (C/REL TO USA, FVEY) WHAT IS ITALY'S OBJECTIVE(S) IN
SUPPORTING SEVERAL BALKAN COUNTRIES TO RECEIVE NATO AND EU
MEMBERSHIP?


2. (U) PLEASE CITE C-RE9-02453 IN THE SUBJECT LINE OF
REPORTING IN RESPONSE TO THE ABOVE QUESTIONS.
CLINTON