

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 06ROME584, ITALY'S UNION COALITION PROGRAM: FAULT LINES ON
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. #06ROME584.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
06ROME584 | 2006-02-24 15:46 | 2011-03-17 11:00 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Rome |
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 ROME 000584
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/16/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON MARR PARM MOPS ELAB EINV IT ITALY NATIONAL ELECTIONS
SUBJECT: ITALY'S UNION COALITION PROGRAM: FAULT LINES ON
THE LEFT
Classified By: Political Minister Counselor David D. Pearce for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).
-------
SUMMARY
-------
¶1. (C) Romano Prodi presented the center-left Union
coalition's 281-page governing program on February 13. As
opposed to establishing a concrete program for the Union
coalition should it win the April 9 national elections, the
document has been viewed by critics from both the right and
the left as an index of the Union's internal disputes. The
Eurocentric foreign policy section is relatively short, heavy
on pacifist language, stresses multilateralism and
""rebalancing"" transatlantic relations, recognizes the
importance of the Middle East, calls for a withdrawal of
Italian troops from Iraq in consultation with the Iraqi
government, and anticipates a re-examination of the
disposition of Italian military facilities. Long on analysis
of Italy's economic and social ills, it is weak on
prescriptions for change. Although the foreign policy
portion is cause for concern, e.g., the near absence of
reference to NATO, the document serves mainly to underscore
the fault lines within the center left itself. END SUMMARY.
----------------
UNITY IN DISCORD
----------------
¶2. (SBU) Romano Prodi presented the center-left ""Union""
coalition's 281-page governing program on February 13. The
presentation ceremony featured Prodi standing on a stage
together with the leaders of the varied political parties in
Prodi's coalition. The event was meant to highlight
coalition unity and a forward-looking governing program, the
result of months of careful negotiation. Not surprisingly,
the program is a laundry list of general proposals on social,
environmental and labor issues.
¶3. (C) As opposed to establishing a concrete program for the
Union coalition should it win the April 9 national elections,
the document has been viewed by critics from both the right
and the left as an index of the Union's internal disputes.
The day after its presentation, a major battle broke out over
the absence of language on the controversial Lyon-Turin
high-speed rail (TAV). Communist Renewal and Green Party
leaders said its absence means the project would be canceled
while Prodi assured nervous moderates and business leaders
the project would go forward. Internal bickering has also
occurred over whether the Union should continue PM
Berlusconi's policy toward Israel (Daisy Party) or whether it
should be reversed completely (Italian Communist Party). One
Daisy party official told Poloff not to worry about he termed
""this trash document"" that they were forced to draft with
communists and greens. Poloff noted that they would have to
govern with those same people.
--------------
FOREIGN POLICY
--------------
¶4. (SBU) The foreign policy section is relatively short,
places Europe at the center of foreign policy, is heavy on
pacifist language, stresses multilateralism, recognizes the
importance of the Middle East, calls for a withdrawal of
Italian troops from Iraq and for reassessing the disposition
of the country's military facilities. Iran is not
specifically mentioned, though the program does refer to the
problem of weapons proliferation. A summary is provided
below:
--European integration: Europe and deepening European
integration is the center-left's ""guiding principle."" The
Union repeatedly describes EU federalism as a strategic goal,
states that Italy's national interests fold into those of
Europe and that it will work for the resumption of the EU's
institutional reform process. It proposes a Europe-wide
referendum in 2009 on the EU Constitution in conjunction with
European Parliamentary elections. It supports the accession
of Romania, Bulgaria and Croatia and underscores the need to
integrate western Balkan countries into Europe in order to
encourage the resolution of lingering conflicts. It favors
accession negotiations for Turkey but points to the need for
Turkey to comply fully with the Copenhagen criteria and to
resolve issues of political and institutional reform, human
rights, and the rights of minorities. NATO receives no
direct mention and notably not in its role as a locus for
transatlantic political consultation.
-- Common EU Foreign, Security, Defense Policies: The
program says a common EU foreign and security policy (CFSP)
and a common EU defense policy (ESDP) are major priorities.
The Union proposes implementing a CFSP immediately by
creating an EU foreign minister, abolishing veto powers on
foreign policy decisions within the EU Council, using
enhanced cooperation as often as possible in decision-making
processes and in conflict prevention and management, and
creating an EU seat in international organizations, such as
the IMF, WB, and UNSC. Italy will implement this policy
during its UNSC rotational presence in 2007 by coordinating
EU policies within the Security Council. The emphasis is on
policy rather than development of military capabilities.
There is no representation of ESDP, however, as competitive
with or replacing the transatlantic Alliance in a military
sense.
--United Nations/International Criminal Court/IAEA: The
Union's second guiding principle is what the platform
characterizes as Italy,s ""vocation for peace"" and is pegged
to article 11 of the Italian Constitution, which rejects war
as a method to resolve international controversies. The
focus is on multilateralism and multipolarism, in particular
regional organizations like the EU. Making the UN stronger
is a priority and Italy can/can relinquish part of its
national sovereignty to the UN. The use of force is allowed
only in the greater context of collective security and for
international police functions, in accordance with Chapter
VII of the UN Charter. In full compliance with article 47 of
its Charter, the UN should create a Military Staff Committee
and a ready alert contingent. Genocide is an attack against
another country and requires self-defense, and the General
Assembly should be given more powers toward this end. The
role of the International Criminal Court should be enhanced.
Efforts must be made for concrete progress toward the
disarmament of nuclear powers, in order to then apply a ""more
effective pressure"" on the new nuclear countries and on those
that have nuclear ambitions. The IAEA must be given more
powers to obtain full NPT compliance.
-- Rebalancing Transatlantic Relations: Italy must work to
enhance the UN system, reform the UN, become again a lead
country in Europe, and ""re-affirm and rebalance transatlantic
relations in order to contribute to international security
and assure peace and justice among nations.""
-- Terrorism: Terrorism is unacceptable and ""unjustifiable.""
The struggle against terrorism must be carried out using
""political methods, the intelligence services, and by
opposing terrorist organizations."" It is necessary to
develop a global strategy that should be articulated thus:
cooperation among intelligence services, control of suspect
financial flows and safe haven countries, development
cooperation agreements with third countries. (Note: There is
no reference to the use of military troops, and some
coalition members distinguish between legitimate insurgency
and terrorism. End Note.)
-- Iraq: The program states that ""the war in Iraq and the
occupation were a serious mistake."" It continues that it
""weakened the UN and undermined multilateral world
governance."" On the future of Italian troops in Iraq, it
states that, ""immediately after parliamentary elections in
April, the Union will ask the Italian parliament to vote for
the withdrawal of Italian troops. Withdrawal would occur
according to a schedule that is based on a timing that is
technically needed for withdrawal and in consultation with
the new Iraqi Government in order to guarantee security.
Withdrawal will be accompanied by a ""strong political
initiative to support.... transition toward democracy in Iraq
and contribute to finding a path for Iraq to attain full
democratic stability and which would give Iraqis full
sovereignty over their country."" (Note: The word used is
""consultation"" and not ""agreement."" The program does not
address the need to consult or coordinate Italy's withdrawal
with any of the other members of the coalition of the willing
that are still in Iraq. The US is never mentioned in the
chapter on Iraq. End note.)
-- Mediterranean: The Union's priority is an active Italian
and EU ""neighborhood policy"" with countries in the
Mediterranean region. ""Italy must work for a peaceful,
stable and democratic Mediterranean"" through special
relations with all and new development policies based on
universal principles and intercultural dialogue. The end
goal is a common Euro- Mediterranean space. Regional
disarmament and denuclearization must be pursued.
-- North-South and Solidarity: The Union proposes to
increase public funds for development assistance programs in
the poorer countries. ""Armed forces must never be used for
humanitarian intervention or development assistance.""
--New Defense Policies: The Union's intent is to (1) work on
European defense and on cooperation between the EU and the
US; (2) reorganize a new and modern defense system; and (3)
focus on human resources. Enhanced/structured EU cooperation
on defense has begun and should proceed rapidly. In order to
address the problems that derive from a unipolar world order,
""we must aim for an autonomous European defense, albeit
linked to the Atlantic Alliance, which is undergoing in-depth
changes."" The Union will propose the need to firmly anchor
Italy,s strategic position in Europe, as a player in
Europe's integration policies, as well as a loyal ally of the
United States. Italy's defense system must be made more
""flexible and integrated at a European level with our
allies.""
--Military Basing: The program cites the changed strategic
situation after the end of the Cold War and the need for
repositioned and modernized, more efficient forces. The
program also anticipates a shift of military facilities and
units toward southern Italy, both closer to threats emanating
from the Mediterranean and to many soldiers' homes in the new
all-volunteer military. This relocation of some military
presence to the south would be a result of a promised
""redefinition of the military burden ('servitu' militare')
borne by our territories, particularly in regard to nuclear
bases."" The program foresees a second National Conference to
examine the issue of the military burden borne by different
Italian regions. (NOTE: This item primarily concerns Italian
national military presence and, apart from La Maddelena, does
not raise questions about U.S.military presence at Italian
bases. The military burden discussed has long been a
controversial issue in Sardinia, which bears a
disproportionate burden in terms of military right-of-way,
training areas, practice ranges, etc. In November 2005, DS
Secretary Piero Fassino publicly promised Sardinian Regional
SIPDIS
President Renato Soru that the center-left would advocate for
shifting military burden to other regions and would call a
national conference on the issue. The only facility in Italy
that might qualify in the public eye as a ""nuclear base"" is
La Maddelena, now scheduled to be closed.
------------------------------------
THE ECONOMY: WHY ITALY IS IN DECLINE
------------------------------------
¶5. (SBU) In the section ""Why Italy is in decline,"" the Union
details a series of well-known problems with the Italian
economy. The analysis is precise and some of the solutions
track results from the Ambassador's Partnership for Growth.
The program is generally short on specific solutions to these
well-known problems. It generally offers generic solutions
that observers believe will be difficult for a fractured
coalition to implement.
¶6. (SBU) The Union proposes a renewed industrial policy to
strengthen small companies and shift to more technically
advanced sectors; a reform of public spending, primarily
investments; the strengthening of industrial districts and
their conversion into technology parks; and implementation of
measures aimed at improving competition in all sectors of the
economy. The Union plans to propose a new governance model
for growth and competitiveness--a major reorganization and
coordination between the government, line ministers and the
regions. In particular, the Union proposes the creation of a
new ministry for the real economy that would be in charge of
initiatives of economic competitiveness, support to
companies, energy policy, competition, and
internationalization.
-----------------------
SOCIAL AND LABOR ISSUES
-----------------------
¶7. (SBU) The Union program is highly critical of Berlusconi's
social and labor policies, which it claims have created a
precarious work environment. As a solution, the Union
proposes a laundry list of labor and pension reforms,
family-friendly work policies, education schemes and
immigration reforms. Union groups have criticized the
program as too long and inclusive to be a serious proposal.
COMMENT
¶8. (C) The Union's proposals for social and economic policy
are too broad and vague to be meaningful, and many of the
proposed labor reforms would increase the deficit and work
against measures designed to increase the efficiency of the
Italian economy. The foreign policy chapters contain some
areas of real concern, especially as regards a potentially
hyper-Eurocentricity and the near absence of any reference to
NATO. While the issue of re-examining the disposition of
military facilities makes no direct mention of NATO or the
US, this will be an issue to watch in the event that the far
left were to emerge with strong influence within a
center-left coalition post-April 9. The language on Italian
troop deployments to Iraq is sufficiently vague to please
both the moderates and extremists within the Union and
contains no real surprises. In brief, the document is a
hodgepodge, and serves best as a guide to the fault lines
within the center left itself. END COMMENT.
SPOGLI