

Currently released so far... 12648 / 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
2011/05/14
2011/05/15
2011/05/16
2011/05/17
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
AORC
AF
AU
ASEC
AMGT
AS
APER
AR
AG
ARF
AJ
AA
AINF
APECO
AODE
ABLD
AMG
ATPDEA
AE
AEMR
AMED
AGAO
AFIN
AL
ASUP
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
AID
ASCH
AM
AORL
ASEAN
APEC
ADM
AFSI
AFSN
ADCO
ABUD
AN
AY
AIT
AGR
ACOA
ANET
ASIG
AMCHAMS
AGMT
AADP
ADPM
ATRN
ALOW
ACS
APCS
AFFAIRS
ADANA
AECL
ACAO
AORG
AROC
AO
ACABQ
AX
AMEX
AFGHANISTAN
AZ
AND
ARM
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
ACBAQ
AC
AUC
ASEX
AER
AVERY
AGRICULTURE
AFU
BR
BTIO
BY
BO
BA
BU
BL
BN
BM
BF
BEXP
BK
BG
BB
BTIU
BBSR
BRUSSELS
BD
BIDEN
BE
BH
BILAT
BC
BX
BT
BP
BMGT
BWC
CS
CA
CH
CD
CO
CE
CU
CVIS
CASC
CJAN
CI
CPAS
CMGT
CDG
CIC
CAC
CBW
CWC
COUNTER
CW
CT
CY
CNARC
CACM
CG
CB
CM
CV
CIDA
CLINTON
CHR
COE
CR
CIS
CDC
CONS
CF
CODEL
COPUOS
CIA
CFED
CARSON
CL
CROS
CAPC
CTR
CACS
CN
CBSA
CEUDA
COM
CONDOLEEZZA
CICTE
COUNTRY
CBE
CKGR
CVR
COUNTERTERRORISM
CITEL
CLEARANCE
CARICOM
CSW
CITT
CDB
CJUS
CTM
CAN
CLMT
CBC
EAID
ECON
EFIS
ETRD
EC
ENRG
EINV
EFIN
EAGR
ETTC
ECPS
EINT
ES
EIND
EAIR
EU
EUN
EG
EPET
ELAB
EWWT
EMIN
ECIN
ESA
ER
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
EAIG
ET
ETRO
ELTN
EI
EN
EUR
EK
EUMEM
EPA
ENGR
EXTERNAL
EUREM
ELN
EUC
ENERG
ENIV
EZ
ERD
EFTA
ETRC
ETRN
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EEPET
EUNCH
ESENV
ENNP
ENVI
ETRDECONWTOCS
ECINECONCS
EFINECONCS
ELECTIONS
ENVR
EXIM
ERNG
ECA
EINVEFIN
ETC
EAP
ECONOMY
EINN
ECONOMIC
EXBS
ECUN
ENGY
ECONOMICS
EIAR
EINDETRD
ECONEFIN
EURN
EDU
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ECIP
EFIM
EAIDS
EREL
EINVETC
ECONCS
ETRA
IC
IV
IAEA
IR
IO
IT
IN
IS
IZ
IMO
IPR
IWC
ICAO
ILO
ID
ICTY
ICJ
INMARSAT
INDO
IL
IMF
IRS
IQ
IA
ICRC
IDA
IAHRC
IBRD
ISLAMISTS
IGAD
ILC
ITU
ITF
INRA
INRO
IDP
ICTR
IEFIN
IRC
ITRA
ITALY
INRB
INTELSAT
IBET
IRAQI
ISRAELI
IIP
ITPGOV
ITALIAN
INTERNAL
INTERPOL
IEA
INR
IZPREL
IRAJ
IF
ITPHUM
ISRAEL
IACI
KBTR
KPAO
KOMC
KCRM
KDEM
KHIV
KBIO
KTIA
KMDR
KNNP
KSCA
KTIP
KWMN
KIPR
KCOR
KRVC
KFRD
KPAL
KWBG
KE
KTDB
KUNR
KSPR
KJUS
KGHG
KAWC
KCFE
KGCC
KOLY
KSUM
KACT
KISL
KTFN
KFLU
KSTH
KMPI
KHDP
KS
KHLS
KMRS
KID
KN
KU
KAWK
KSAC
KCOM
KAID
KIRC
KWMNCS
KMCA
KNEI
KCRS
KPKO
KICC
KPOA
KV
KDRG
KIRF
KSEO
KVPR
KSEP
KTER
KBCT
KFIN
KGIC
KCIP
KZ
KG
KWAC
KRAD
KPRP
KTEX
KNAR
KPLS
KPAK
KSTC
KFLO
KSCI
KIDE
KOMS
KHSA
KSAF
KPWR
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFSC
KRIM
KVRP
KENV
KNSD
KCGC
KDDG
KPRV
KTBT
KWMM
KMFO
KMOC
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KPAI
KO
KVIR
KREC
KX
KR
KCRCM
KBTS
KOCI
KGIT
KNUP
KPAONZ
KNUC
KNNPMNUC
KERG
KTLA
KCSY
KTRD
KNPP
KJUST
KCMR
KRCM
KCFC
KCHG
KREL
KFTFN
KLIG
KDEMAF
KICA
KHUM
KSEC
KPIN
KESS
KDEV
KWWMN
KOM
KWNM
KRFD
KMIG
KRGY
KIFR
MARR
MOPS
MASS
MX
MNUC
MCAP
MO
MR
MEPP
MTCRE
MAPP
MEPN
MZ
MT
ML
MA
MY
MIL
MD
MASSMNUC
MU
MK
MTCR
MUCN
MAS
MEDIA
MAR
MC
MI
MQADHAFI
MPOS
MTRE
MASC
MG
MARAD
MRCRE
MW
MP
MOPPS
MTS
MLS
MILI
MEPI
MEETINGS
MERCOSUR
MCC
MIK
MAPS
MV
MILITARY
MDC
NATO
NZ
NL
NO
NK
NU
NPT
NI
NG
NEW
NSF
NA
NPG
NSG
NE
NSSP
NS
NDP
NSC
NAFTA
NH
NV
NP
NPA
NSFO
NT
NW
NASA
NORAD
NATIONAL
NGO
NR
NIPP
NZUS
NC
NRR
NAR
NATOPREL
OEXC
OTRA
OPRC
OVIP
OAS
OIIP
OSCE
OREP
OPIC
OFDP
OMIG
ODIP
OVP
OSCI
OIC
OECD
OIE
OPDC
ON
OCII
OPAD
OBSP
OFFICIALS
OPCW
OHUM
OES
OCS
OTR
OSAC
OFDA
PGOV
PREL
PM
PHUM
PTER
PINR
PINS
PREF
PARM
PL
PK
PU
PBTS
PBIO
PHSA
PE
PO
PROP
PA
PNAT
POL
PLN
POLITICAL
PARTIES
PCUL
PAK
PGGV
PAO
PSA
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PAS
PGIV
PHUMPREL
PCI
PG
POGOV
PHUMPGOV
PEL
POLITICS
POLICY
PINL
PP
PREO
PAHO
PBT
PMIL
POV
PRL
PDOV
PTBS
PRAM
PREFA
PSI
PAIGH
POSTS
PALESTINIAN
PARMS
PROG
PTERE
PRGOV
PORG
PS
PGOF
PKFK
PSOE
PEPR
PPA
PINT
PMAR
PRELP
PINF
PNG
PFOR
PUNE
PGOVLO
PHUMBA
PSEPC
PNR
POLINT
PGOVE
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PDEM
PECON
PROV
PGOC
PY
PHUH
PF
PHUS
RU
RS
RO
RW
RP
RFE
REGION
REACTION
REPORT
ROOD
RCMP
RM
RSO
ROBERT
RICE
RSP
RF
RIGHTS
RIGHTSPOLMIL
RUPREL
RELATIONS
SENV
SU
SCUL
SOCI
SNAR
SL
SW
SMIG
SP
SY
SA
SHUM
SZ
SYRIA
SF
SR
SO
SARS
SN
SC
SIPRS
SI
SYR
SEVN
SG
SPCE
SK
STEINBERG
SH
SNARCS
SAARC
SCRS
SENVKGHG
SAN
ST
SIPDIS
SNARIZ
SNARN
SSA
SPCVIS
SOFA
SEN
SANC
SWE
SHI
TW
TU
TBIO
TSPL
TPHY
TRGY
TC
TT
TSPA
TINT
TERRORISM
TX
TR
TS
TN
TD
TH
TIP
TNGD
TI
TZ
THPY
TP
TBID
TF
TL
TV
TK
TO
TRSY
TURKEY
TFIN
TAGS
UN
UK
UNSC
UNGA
US
UNESCO
UP
UNHRC
UNAUS
USTR
UNDP
UNEP
UY
UNCHR
UG
UZ
UNPUOS
USEU
UNMIK
UNDC
UNICEF
UV
UNHCR
UNCHC
UNCSD
USOAS
UNFCYP
USUN
USNC
UNIDROIT
UNO
UNCND
USPS
USAID
UE
UNVIE
UAE
UNODC
UNCHS
UNFICYP
UNDESCO
UNC
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 10ROME174, SECDEF MEETING WITH ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER SILVIO
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. #10ROME174.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
10ROME174 | 2010-02-12 13:27 | 2011-02-22 11:00 | SECRET//NOFORN | Embassy Rome |
VZCZCXRO2519
PP RUEHBC RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKUK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHNP RUEHROV RUEHSL
RUEHTRO
DE RUEHRO #0174/01 0431327
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
P 121327Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 0584
RUEHMIL/AMCONSUL MILAN PRIORITY 0482
RUEHFL/AMCONSUL FLORENCE PRIORITY 4039
RUEHNP/AMCONSUL NAPLES PRIORITY 4267
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3273
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 1071
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY 3081
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE PRIORITY
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 ROME 000174
NOFORN
SIPDIS
OSD FOR USDP-ISA-EURNATO
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/13/2020
TAGS: PREL MOPS MARR NATO IT AF IR
SUBJECT: SECDEF MEETING WITH ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER SILVIO
BERLUSCONI, FEBRUARY 6, 201...
Classified By: Alexander Vershbow, ASD/ISA for Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D)
¶1. (S/NF) SUMMARY: Secretary of Defense Robert Gates (SecDef)
met with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi during an
official visit to Rome on February 6, 2010. SecDef thanked
Berlusconi for Italy's pledge of more Italian troops for
operations in Afghanistan and assured him that the creation
of RC-SW will not intrude on Italian operations in RC-W.
Berlusconi pledged Italy's full support for sanctions efforts
against Iran, sharing SecDef's assessment of the dire
implications should Tehran successfully develop nuclear
weapons. Berlusconi provided Italian insights on the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict, encouraging strong American
leadership. SecDef said the issue remains a high priority
for the Obama Administration. In relation to the Abu Omar
case, SecDef requested GOI's advocacy on recognizing U.S.
jurisdiction over Colonel Joseph Romano under the NATO SOFA.
Berlusconi expressed optimism that the matter will be
resolved favorably during the appeals process. END SUMMARY.
-----------
Afghanistan
-----------
¶2. (S/NF) Prime Minister Berlusconi opened the discussion
with a lengthy discourse on the state of Italian national
politics, assessing that his government is on solid ground.
He asserted that ""Italy wants to be the best friend of the
United States."" SecDef explained that both Presidents Bush
and Obama believed this to be true. After briefly thanking
Berlusconi for Italy's efforts in Haiti, SecDef applauded
Italy's contributions to Afghanistan, noting that ISAF
nations must loosen caveats to allow effective partnering
with Afghan forces. SecDef explained that once the U.S.
completes its force increases, there will be nearly 60,000
troops in RC-South -- too great a number for one commander.
This was the reason for the proposal to split the command and
create an RC-SW in Helmand and Nimroz provinces. SecDef
promised that it would not intrude on Italian forces in
RC-West. Berlusconi said he was satisfied that it will not
be a problem.
----
Iran
----
¶3. (C) As a prelude to a detailed discussion on Iran, SecDef
briefly outlined the phased adaptive approach to European
Missile Defense, explaining that a revised threat assessment
and better technology had led to the new approach. SecDef
enlisted Italian support for a NATO commitment to missile
defense at November's Lisbon Summit. SecDef recognized there
were legitimate questions about cost and C2, and promised
that the U.S. would provide detailed answers soon.
¶4. (S/NF) SecDef recalled his long involvement in U.S.-Iran
relations, including his participation in the first U.S.
meeting with the new revolutionary government in 1979.
Noting that every American president since then has tried to
reach out to Iran, SecDef asserted that President Obama's
approach has been the most sincere, energetic and principled.
He outlined the multiple opportunities -- including the
Tehran Research Reactor proposal, the IAEA's inspection of
the Qom facility, and multiple private offers for dialogue --
that Iran has been given to reassure the international
community of its intentions. All of these approaches,
however, have been rejected by Iran.
¶5. (S/NF) SecDef expressed deep disappointment in Tehran's
lack of responsiveness, reminding Berlusconi that Italy's
role is vital and pointing out the opportunity for
leadership. SecDef explained that it was clearly time for a
new UNSC resolution, which would give nations and the EU a
legal basis for even harsher action. He recounted the dire
consequences of a nuclear Iran, including proliferation by
other countries in the Middle East, a military response by
Israel at some point, or both. Sanctions must be applied to
get Tehran to change course and agree to a negotiated
solution.
¶6. (S/NF) Berlusconi agreed and recounted recent
consultations with Israeli leaders, including military
commanders, during his recent visit to Tel Aviv. Recalling
the tragedy of the Holocaust, Berlusconi said he believes the
Israelis will not follow the path of some German Jews in the
1930s, who discounted Hitler's threats as political
demagoguery. Given Ahmadinejad's promises to eliminate the
Israeli state, Berlusconi speculated that Tel Aviv would
strike, possibly with nuclear weapons, against Iran if Tehran
were close to acquiring nuclear weapons itself. He added
that no one, including President Obama, could stop Israel if
it sensed an existential threat -- noting his belief that
Israel has operational plans on the shelf.
¶7. (S/NF) SecDef cited an Israeli military exercise that flew
842 kilometers to Greece, pointing out the distance between
Israeli air bases and Iran's nuclear reactor is 840
kilometers. Berlusconi took the point, and asked the U.S. to
exert strong leadership in pressuring Iran. He added that
Iranian actions against protesters were morally unacceptable
and he cautioned that sanctions should not target the general
population but instead aim to weaken the government. SecDef
explained the manifold business interests of the IRGC --
Ahmadinejad's ""storm troopers"" -- and his confidence that
sanctions could be targeted against them without
significantly harming the people.
¶8. (S/NF) Berlusconi noted that Italian businesses have had
interests in Iran for 50 years. He referred to a
particularly lucrative contract between the Italian energy
company ENI and Iran that must be fulfilled in light of
significant penalties for non-compliance. He asserted,
however, that ENI has chosen not to renew the contract
because of concerns about Tehran's actions. Berlusconi
recounted conversations with Russia, saying he had lobbied
them against missile production that can aid the Iranian
military. Berlusconi said he would soon attend an EU Summit
to address Iran, believing that a preemptive strike by
Israeli on Iran would be disastrous. SecDef appreciated
Berlusconi's sense of urgency, reminding him that history has
consistently shown that tyrants are clear about their
intentions and noting Ahmadinejad's promise to wipe Israel
from the map.
----------------
Israel-Palestine
----------------
¶9. (S/NF) Berlusconi explained his efforts to get
Palestinians back to the negotiating table by offering to
host the negotiations and pay for all the costs. He detailed
an idea he had introduced in 1994 about a ""Marshall Plan"" for
the region, whereby he would entice the world's biggest
companies and hotels to invest in the West Bank and build an
airport there. He doubted Israel would allow investment to
happen given the current circumstances, but said the offer is
still on the table. SecDef agreed that we must work together
and stated that the Middle East Peace Process would be one of
President Obama's highest priorities in 2010. Berlusconi
argued that the issue has global implications. SecDef
concurred, noting that the global security environment is as
complex as ever. He noted that we keep adding new problems
like piracy to the list of challenges without solving the old
ones.
------
Africa
------
¶10. (C) In a brief exchange, Berlusconi noted his concern
about the Horn of Africa. Because of Italy's colonial
experience in Somalia, Ethiopia and Eritrea, it had an acute
understanding of the depravity of the region that allows
problems like piracy to take root. SecDef commented that
much of Africa had looked to the Soviet model in the
post-colonial period -- an unfortunate choice that guaranteed
poverty, and an error from which most of Africa has not yet
recovered.
-----
China
-----
¶11. (S/NF) Berlusconi recounted a recent trip to China by his
daughter, a recent U.S. college graduate, which left her
distraught. He explained that between urban migration and
university graduates, China is adding 24M workers to its
workforce each year. Italy has 23M workers in its entire
economy -- in other words, China annually increases it
workforce by the total size of Italy's. Berlusconi noted
that many Italian companies will withdraw tenders if
competing against a Chinese company, especially in Africa.
SecDef noted that China has two major challenges. First, in
Africa, natural resource extraction using imported Chinese
labor is causing significant resentment among African hosts.
Second, in order to add 20-30M jobs to its workforce yearly,
China must grow its GDP by 8-10 percent each year. SecDef
added that the source of internal stability in China is an
improving quality of life for its citizens, and that Chinese
leaders are ""scared to death"" that this is not sustainable.
-----------
Romano Case
-----------
¶12. (S/NF) In closing, SecDef asked Berlusconi for his
assistance in affirming U.S. jurisdiction over Colonel
Romano, one of the defendants in the Abu Omar case, under the
NATO SOFA. Berlusconi and Cabinet Advisor Letta assured
SecDef the GOI was working hard to resolve the situation.
Berlusconi gave an extended rant about the Italian judicial
system -- which frequently targets him since it is ""dominated
by leftists"" as the public prosecutor level. Berlusconi
predicted that the ""courts will come down in our favor"" upon
appeal, noting that higher-level appellate courts are
significantly less politicized than local courts.
¶13. (U) SecDef has cleared this cable. Drafted by OSD Staff.
DIBBLE
"