

Currently released so far... 12559 / 251,287
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/24
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/10
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
2011/05/01
2011/05/02
2011/05/03
2011/05/04
2011/05/05
2011/05/06
2011/05/07
2011/05/08
2011/05/09
2011/05/10
2011/05/11
2011/05/12
2011/05/13
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
AR
AF
ASEC
AMBASSADOR
AS
AJ
AM
AORC
AEMR
ASEAN
AFFAIRS
AFIN
AMGT
AODE
APEC
AE
ABLD
ACBAQ
APECO
AFSI
AFSN
AY
AO
ABUD
AG
AC
APER
AU
AMED
ATRN
ADPM
ADCO
ASIG
AL
ASUP
ARF
AUC
ASEX
AER
AVERY
AGRICULTURE
ACOA
AADP
ASCH
AA
AFU
AN
AID
ALOW
AINF
AMG
AIT
ANET
AGAO
AROC
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
AORL
AMCHAMS
ACS
APCS
ADANA
AECL
ACAO
AORG
AGR
ACABQ
AGMT
AX
AMEX
ADM
AFGHANISTAN
AZ
AND
ARM
AQ
ATFN
BR
BK
BL
BA
BO
BRUSSELS
BM
BEXP
BU
BG
BB
BTIO
BF
BD
BBSR
BIDEN
BX
BP
BE
BH
BT
BY
BILAT
BWC
BN
BMGT
BTIU
BC
CI
CU
CO
CS
CVIS
CA
CJAN
CARICOM
CB
CASC
CE
CH
CN
CONDOLEEZZA
CMGT
CWC
CW
CG
CACS
CY
CPAS
CFED
CSW
CIDA
CIC
CITT
CBW
CONS
CD
CLINTON
CHR
CACM
CDB
COE
CDG
CDC
CAN
CR
CF
CT
CODEL
CJUS
CTM
CM
CLMT
CBC
COUNTERTERRORISM
CAPC
CAC
COUNTER
CV
CL
CBSA
CNARC
CEUDA
COM
CROS
CIA
CARSON
COPUOS
CTR
CICTE
COUNTRY
CBE
CIS
CKGR
CVR
CITEL
CLEARANCE
ECA
EU
ENRG
EPET
ETTC
ETRD
ELN
ELAB
EC
EFIN
ECON
EFIS
ELTN
EAGR
EIND
EWWT
EMIN
EINV
EAID
EG
EUN
ECPS
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ENGR
ENIV
ECIN
EAIR
EI
ECUN
EFTA
ENGY
ECONOMICS
ES
ELECTIONS
EN
EIAR
ET
EINDETRD
EUR
EZ
EREL
ER
ECONEFIN
EINT
EURN
EDU
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ECIP
EFIM
EAIDS
EK
EPA
ENVR
EINVETC
ETRC
ENVI
ECONCS
ECONOMIC
EXTERNAL
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EUMEM
ETRA
ESA
ECINECONCS
EAIG
ETRO
ETRDECONWTOCS
EUREM
ESENV
ETRN
ENNP
EFINECONCS
EEPET
ENERG
EUC
EUNCH
EXIM
ERD
ERNG
EINVEFIN
ETC
EAP
ECONOMY
EINN
EXBS
IIP
IC
IR
IN
IAEA
IS
IT
IMF
IBRD
IZ
IWC
ISRAELI
INTERPOL
IO
ISLAMISTS
ITALY
ITALIAN
IRAQI
ILO
IPR
IQ
IV
IRS
INRB
ICAO
IMO
ID
IZPREL
IRAJ
ICTY
ICRC
IAHRC
ITF
INR
IGAD
ILC
ITU
IF
ITPHUM
IL
INTERNAL
ISRAEL
IACI
ICJ
ITRA
INMARSAT
ICTR
IA
IEFIN
INTELSAT
IBET
INRA
INRO
IDP
INDO
IRC
IDA
ITPGOV
IEA
KPAO
KCRM
KNNP
KCOR
KIRF
KISL
KSCA
KDEM
KDEMAF
KZ
KBTR
KUNR
KMDR
KRVC
KPAL
KTIA
KV
KJUS
KOMC
KTFN
KWBG
KTIP
KMPI
KSUM
KIRC
KE
KIPR
KWMN
KFRD
KSEP
KN
KOLY
KPKO
KIDE
KMRS
KFLU
KSAF
KGIC
KRAD
KU
KHLS
KOCI
KSTH
KS
KGHG
KAWC
KICC
KG
KSPR
KPRP
KDRG
KGIT
KVPR
KGCC
KSEO
KMCA
KSTC
KBIO
KHIV
KBCT
KPAI
KICA
KTDB
KACT
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KHUM
KFLO
KREC
KSEC
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KPIN
KCOM
KESS
KDEV
KCFE
KNUC
KAWK
KPLS
KWWMN
KCIP
KPRV
KHDP
KTEX
KFIN
KOM
KBTS
KCRS
KNPP
KWNM
KRFD
KVIR
KLIG
KMIG
KDDG
KRGY
KFSC
KR
KMOC
KPAONZ
KNAR
KIFR
KCGC
KID
KSAC
KAID
KNSD
KWMNCS
KCMR
KO
KNEI
KPOA
KTER
KOMS
KPAK
KTBT
KWMM
KWAC
KHSA
KX
KMFO
KPWR
KRIM
KSCI
KVRP
KENV
KCRCM
KNUP
KNNPMNUC
KERG
KTLA
KCSY
KTRD
KJUST
KRCM
KCFC
KCHG
KREL
KFTFN
MARR
MX
MOPS
MNUC
MZ
MASS
MEETINGS
MG
MW
MIL
MTCRE
MCAP
MAS
MO
MTCR
MD
MK
MP
MY
MR
MT
MCC
MIK
MU
ML
MARAD
MA
MAPS
MV
MERCOSUR
MASC
MPOS
MILITARY
MDC
MQADHAFI
MEPP
MRCRE
MEDIA
MAPP
MTRE
MEPN
MI
MC
MUCN
MAR
MASSMNUC
MOPPS
MTS
MLS
MILI
MEPI
NATO
NL
NZ
NI
NU
NO
NPT
NRR
NA
NATIONAL
NIPP
NAFTA
NT
NS
NE
NASA
NSF
NP
NAR
NV
NORAD
NG
NSSP
NW
NK
NDP
NR
NATOPREL
NEW
NPA
NPG
NSG
NSFO
NGO
NSC
NH
NZUS
NC
OFDA
OTRA
OPRC
OIIP
OAS
OPDC
OVIP
OEXC
OPIC
OSCE
OPCW
OREP
OFFICIALS
ODIP
OECD
OMIG
OFDP
OBSP
OIE
OSCI
OES
OPAD
OVP
OHUM
OIC
ON
OCII
OCS
OTR
OSAC
PREL
PGOV
PINR
PTER
PARM
PHUM
PA
PBTS
PINS
PM
PREF
PHSA
PK
POL
PL
PE
PFOR
PALESTINIAN
PUNE
PGOVLO
PAO
POLITICS
PO
PHUMBA
PSEPC
PNAT
PNR
PROP
POLINT
PGOVE
PROG
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PDEM
PECON
PROV
PSOE
PU
POGOV
PMIL
PINL
PHUMPREL
PGIV
PBT
PAK
PP
PGOC
PY
PLN
PMAR
PHUH
PBIO
PF
PRL
PG
PHUS
PTBS
PRAM
POV
PEL
PAS
POLICY
PGGV
POLITICAL
PARTIES
PCUL
PSA
PDOV
PCI
PREO
PAHO
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PHUMPGOV
PREFA
PSI
PAIGH
POSTS
PARMS
PTERE
PRGOV
PORG
PS
PGOF
PKFK
PEPR
PPA
PINT
PRELP
PINF
PNG
RU
RS
RICE
RW
RCMP
RO
RFE
RP
RIGHTS
RIGHTSPOLMIL
ROBERT
REGION
RUPREL
RF
RELATIONS
RM
REACTION
ROOD
REPORT
RSO
RSP
SNAR
SENV
SOCI
SCUL
SY
SR
SU
SO
SP
SA
SZ
SF
SMIG
SW
SIPDIS
STEINBERG
SN
SNARIZ
SG
SNARN
SSA
SK
SI
SPCVIS
SOFA
SC
SL
SARS
SNARCS
SIPRS
SYR
SANC
SEVN
SWE
SHI
SEN
SHUM
SYRIA
SH
SPCE
SAARC
SCRS
SENVKGHG
SAN
ST
TW
TRGY
TU
TPHY
TBIO
TX
TN
TSPL
TC
TZ
TSPA
TS
TF
TI
TIP
TH
TINT
TNGD
TP
TD
TFIN
TAGS
TK
TL
TV
TT
TERRORISM
TR
THPY
TO
TRSY
TURKEY
TBID
UK
UP
US
UNSC
UNHCR
USEU
UNGA
UG
UY
UNESCO
UN
USTR
USOAS
UZ
UNODC
UNCHS
UNFICYP
UNEP
UNIDROIT
UNHRC
UNDESCO
UNMIK
UNDP
UNC
UNO
UNAUS
UV
UNICEF
UNCHR
UNDC
UNCHC
UNPUOS
USUN
USNC
UNCSD
UNCND
USPS
USAID
UE
UNVIE
UAE
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 08ROME681, ITALY: BERLUSCONI'S IMPRESSIVE START: DELIVERING
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #08ROME681.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
08ROME681 | 2008-05-30 11:24 | 2011-02-19 11:00 | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | Embassy Rome |
VZCZCXRO6822
RR RUEHBW RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHRO #0681/01 1511124
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 301124Z MAY 08
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0387
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUEHFL/AMCONSUL FLORENCE 3064
RUEHMIL/AMCONSUL MILAN 9404
RUEHNP/AMCONSUL NAPLES 3213
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ROME 000681
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/28/2018
TAGS: PGOV ECON IT
SUBJECT: ITALY: BERLUSCONI'S IMPRESSIVE START: DELIVERING
ON CAMPAIGN PROMISES, HIGH APPROVAL RATINGS
REF: A. ROME 0472...
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald P. Spogli for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
SUMMARY
-------
¶1. (C/NF) Capitalizing on his strong electoral victory and a
weak opposition, PM Berlusconi is enjoying high approval
ratings for his quick delivery on campaign promises to reduce
taxes and increase security. Since April, Berlusconi has
dominated the Italian political stage. By reaching out to
the opposition and keeping his allies placated, Berlusconi is
also cutting a more statesman-like figure than in previous
terms. END SUMMARY.
BERLUSCONI SETS UP GOVERNMENT WITH RECORD SPEED
--------------------------------------------- --
¶2. (C/NF) Berlusconi's overwhelming victory in Italy's April
13-14 parliamentary elections earned his center-right
coalition a comfortable majority in both houses of parliament
(REF A). Despite early predictions that the success of the
Northern League (LN), Berlusconi's populist and sometimes
anti-immigrant coalition partner, would complicate the
government formation process, Berlusconi was the first
PM-designate in the history of the Italian Republic to
present the President his list of cabinet ministers the
moment he was asked to form a government. Senate President
Renato Schifani told the Ambassador May 14 that Berlusconi
had neutralized the LN, with its heavy focus on security
issues, by giving them the Ministry of Interior.
BERLUSCONI TACKLES SECURITY, TAXES, TRASH, CRIME
--------------------------------------------- ---
¶3. (SBU) In his first address to Parliament on May 13,
Berlusconi outlined his government's priorities and called
for cooperation with the opposition, saying his government
would move quickly to resolve the Naples garbage crisis,
abolish property tax on a family's first home (and lower
taxes in general), improve public safety, increase regional
control over locally-sourced tax revenues, and stimulate
economic growth in the South. For the first time, Berlusconi
noted the need to combat organized crime as a government
priority (REF B).
¶4. (C/NF) Highlighting the importance of resolving the Naples
garbage issue, which has evolved into a crisis of public
order, Berlusconi held his first Council of Ministers (CoM)
meeting in Naples on May 21, at which he created an
Undersecretary position for working on the trash crisis and
threatened to jail anyone blocking the movement of garbage
trucks. The CoM also decided on promised tax cuts and new
security measures, including specific measures against
illegal immigrants (REF C). Finance Minister Giulio Tremonti
claims that lost revenue will be made up for by spending cuts
and a crack down on tax evasion, but many -- including EU
officials -- are skeptical. Previous Berlusconi governments
ran deficits that violated EU limits.
NEARLY UNPRECEDENTED PUBLIC APPROVAL
------------------------------------
¶5. (SBU) Polls published the last week of May indicate that
between 50% and 60% of Italians approve of Berlusconi's
performance to date, versus only 20% who do not. 25% of
people who voted against Berlusconi give him positive marks,
a remarkable statistic in Italy. The same polls indicate
that an even higher percentage of Italians support the
content of the decrees/draft laws approved May 21 by the CoM.
89% favor harsher penalties for drunk drivers; 87% support
the elimination of property taxes on a family's first home;
and 74% approve of quicker measures to expel foreigners
convicted of crimes, while 58% support making illegal
immigration a crime. Though opposition-leaning newspapers
highlight that only 9% believe Berlusconi will solve Naples'
long-running trash crisis within one month, 48% believe he
will solve the crisis in under one year.
BERLUSCONI IV, REACHING ACROSS THE AISLE
----------------------------------------
¶6. (C/NF) Most analysts expected Berlusconi's victory to be
narrow and cited meetings between Democratic Party (PD)
Secretary Walter Veltroni's confidant Goffredo Bettini and
ROME 00000681 002.2 OF 002
Berlusconi adviser (and Undersecretary) Gianni Letta as
evidence that they were planning some kind of post-election
grand coalition. The scale of Berlusconi's victory made
bipartisanship numerically unnecessary for all but
constitutional reforms. Nevertheless, Berlusconi reached out
specifically to Veltroni in his May 13 address and has made
several other overtures across the aisle. For the most part,
Veltroni has responded positively.
A DISORGANIZED OPPOSITION
-------------------------
¶7. (C/NF) Veltroni was weakened politically by the magnitude
of his loss in the April 13-14 elections, as well as by the
PD's loss in the key Rome mayoral race two weeks later.
Veltroni has formed a British-style shadow government in
opposition to Berlusconi, but former FM and PD heavyweight
Massimo D'Alema refused to participate in it and has begun to
challenge Veltroni on several fronts. Chamber President
Gianfranco Fini told the Ambassador that D'Alema has put
Veltroni ""in the freezer"" and will try to engineer a way to
dump him next year from the PD leadership.
¶8. (C/NF) No communist or far-left parties are represented in
the Italian parliament. One time Berlusconi ally
Pierferdindando Casini leads a small centrist caucus, but
Casini is in a difficult position politically given that most
of his views are ideologically similar to Berlusconi's.
Antonio DiPietro's small Italians of Value (IdV) party offers
the most vigorous opposition to Berlusconi, but its size
makes it of only minor significance.
COMMENT
-------
¶9. (C/NF) Berlusconi's strong, popular start contrasts
starkly with the Prodi government's two years of internal
squabbling. With support even from many Italians who voted
for the opposition, Berlusconi dominates the political
landscape while outmaneuvering his domestic opponents at
every turn. To be sure, prospects of weak economic growth, a
large fiscal deficit and the reality that the Naples trash
crisis could take a long time to resolve all present
significant challenges. Moreover, the opposition, both in
and out of parliament, will not remain disorganized and quiet
indefinitely. But for the moment, Berlusconi has started his
fourth governing mandate like a statesman with potential to
address many of Italy's most serious problems. END COMMENT.
SPOGLI
"