

Currently released so far... 6239 / 251,287
Articles
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
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Amsterdam
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 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
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
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 Lagos
Mission USNATO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
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 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 Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
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 Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Browse by tag
ASEC
AU
AORC
AF
AM
AFIN
AEMR
AR
ASIG
AMGT
AG
APER
AL
ABLD
ASUP
AA
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
AE
AMED
AS
AGMT
APECO
AO
AFFAIRS
AJ
ACOA
AX
AROC
ATFN
ASEAN
AFGHANISTAN
ADCO
AFU
AER
ALOW
AODE
ABUD
ATRN
AID
AC
AVERY
APCS
CASC
CJAN
CVIS
CS
COUNTER
CD
CU
CI
CO
CG
CE
CA
CMGT
CH
CWC
CBW
CKGR
CR
CN
CPAS
CONS
CDG
CLINTON
CT
CJUS
CY
CV
COUNTERTERRORISM
CIA
CACM
CDB
CAN
COE
CM
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
CACS
CF
CONDOLEEZZA
CARSON
CL
CIS
CODEL
CTM
CB
COM
ECON
EFIN
ETRD
EAIR
EAID
ET
EFIS
ENRG
EPET
ETTC
ER
EG
EINV
EAGR
ELAB
EUN
EWWT
ENGR
EMIN
ECIN
ENIV
ES
EC
ECPS
EIND
EI
EU
ENVI
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ELTN
EZ
EINT
ELN
EUR
EUNCH
EN
EINVECONSENVCSJA
ELECTIONS
EINVEFIN
ENNP
ECUN
EXTERNAL
EK
EFINECONCS
ECINECONCS
ECIP
EINDETRD
EUC
EREL
ENVR
ECA
ENERG
ENGY
ETRO
EFTA
ECONCS
ECONOMICS
ECONEFIN
EINVETC
EINN
ESA
ETC
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ESENV
ETRDECONWTOCS
IR
IZ
IWC
IC
ILC
IO
IAEA
IN
IS
IT
ICRC
INTELSAT
ILO
IBRD
IMF
ICAO
IMO
ITALY
ITALIAN
IRAQI
ITRA
ISRAELI
ICJ
IACI
INTERPOL
ID
IV
ICTY
IQ
IPR
INRB
ITPHUM
IIP
IL
IA
INR
ITPGOV
IZPREL
IRC
INRA
INRO
IRAJ
IEFIN
IF
KE
KCRM
KDRG
KIPR
KCOR
KSCA
KBIO
KDEM
KMCA
KMPI
KNNP
KJUS
KOMC
KGHG
KSUM
KSTC
KIRF
KTIP
KWMN
KZ
KG
KTFN
KHLS
KPAO
KFRD
KTIA
KOLY
KCFE
KISL
KFLU
KPKO
KWBG
KTBT
KTDB
KOCI
KUNR
KAWK
KICC
KPAL
KSTH
KN
KS
KGIC
KNPP
KWAC
KMDR
KAWC
KBCT
KIDE
KFLO
KWMNCS
KSEP
KU
KNEI
KVPR
KACT
KRAD
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KCIP
KSAF
KV
KSPR
KPRP
KFSC
KCRS
KR
KRFD
KX
KO
KPWR
KMIG
KSEC
KIFR
KDEMAF
KFIN
KGCC
KPIN
KHIV
KPLS
KIRC
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KGIT
KBTS
KPRV
KBTR
KERG
KWMM
KRVC
KNSD
KVIR
KNUP
KTER
KDDG
KHSA
KMRS
KHDP
KTLA
KPAK
KNAR
KREL
KPAI
KTEX
KCOM
KNNPMNUC
KPOA
KLIG
KHUM
KDEV
KNUC
KCFC
KREC
KOMS
KWWMN
MASS
MP
MARR
MOPS
MNUC
MX
MO
MCAP
MY
ML
MU
MIL
MC
MTRE
MA
MD
MTCRE
MEPI
MAR
MRCRE
MR
MV
MPOS
MZ
MEPP
MOPPS
MAPP
MASC
MT
MERCOSUR
MK
MDC
MI
MAPS
MCC
MASSMNUC
MQADHAFI
MUCN
MTCR
MG
OVIP
OREP
OTRA
OSCE
OECD
OIIP
OEXC
OPCW
OPIC
OPDC
OPRC
ODIP
OVP
OSCI
OAS
OFDP
OTR
OSAC
OIC
OFFICIALS
OIE
PREL
PGOV
PHUM
PTER
PE
PINR
PINS
PARMS
PARM
PHSA
PA
PK
PBTS
PO
PREF
POL
PLN
POLITICS
PROP
PL
PM
PAO
PSI
PG
PEPR
POV
PALESTINIAN
PINT
PSOE
PU
POLITICAL
PARTIES
PBIO
PECON
PAK
POGOV
PINL
PKFK
PMIL
PY
PFOR
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PRAM
PMAR
PGOVLO
PUNE
PORG
PHUMPREL
PF
POLINT
PHUS
PGOC
PNR
PGGV
PNAT
PGOVE
PRGOV
PRL
PROV
PTERE
PGOF
PHUMBA
PINF
PEL
SNAR
SO
SENV
SU
SCUL
SOCI
SP
SC
SA
SMIG
SAN
SZ
SW
SN
SY
SR
SL
SEVN
SF
SYR
SI
SG
STEINBERG
SIPRS
SH
SNARCS
SOFA
SANC
SHUM
SK
ST
TERRORISM
TRGY
TZ
TX
TBIO
TSPA
TS
TSPL
TW
TU
TD
TIP
TURKEY
TP
TI
TC
TPHY
TH
TO
TK
TNGD
TINT
TRSY
TR
TFIN
TT
UG
UK
UP
UNGA
UNHRC
UZ
UN
UNAUS
USTR
UNSC
US
UNEP
UY
UNESCO
USUN
UNHCR
UAE
UNMIK
USEU
UV
UNO
UNDP
UNCHS
UNVIE
UNCHC
UE
UNDESCO
USAID
UNDC
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 09ROME877, ITALY: MAKING POLITICAL HAY ABOUT ISAF MISSION
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. #09ROME877.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
09ROME877 | 2009-07-30 15:03 | 2011-03-08 11:11 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Rome |
VZCZCXRO0872
OO RUEHSL
DE RUEHRO #0877/01 2111524
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 301524Z JUL 09 ZDK
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2470
INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 0521
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ROME 000877
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/30/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV NATO IT AF
SUBJECT: ITALY: MAKING POLITICAL HAY ABOUT ISAF MISSION
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Elizabeth Dibble. Reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).
¶1. C)Summary: Lega Nord Leader Bossi grabbed an opportunity
afforded by what was supposed to be a routine vote to call
for a political level discussion on the ISAF mission in
Afghanistan and Italy's continued involvement. Citing the
high cost of the mission and increasing NATO casualties,
Bossi assessed that the objectives of the mission - bringing
democracy and prosperity to Afghanistan - were probably
unachievable even with greater sacrifices. Bossi's surprise
intervention was quickly echoed by the center-left Italy of
Values (IdV) party, with its parliamentary group leader
calling for a review of Italy's approach after Afghanistan's
August 20 elections. Defense Minister LaRussa, backed by the
Prime Minister, reaffirmed Italy's commitment to the ISAF
mission as part of the GOI's global strategy to combat
terrorism. Bossi's timing is largely driven by domestic
political calculus - the need to demonstrate independence
from Berlusconi and greater Lega Nord clout while not
rupturing the coalition before March 2010 regional elections.
But the discussion does tap into broad unease and the
apparent spreading violence in Afghanistan, recent Italian
casualties, and the expectation that there will be more. End
Summary.
Bossi: Time to Review ISAF Mission
----------------------------------
¶2. SBU) Northern League President Umberto Bossi took
advantage of what was supposed to be a appropriations vote
for Italy's overseas missions to launch a broad debate on the
utility and future of Italian military participation,
particularly in Afghanistan. The bill - which goes to a vote
on July 30 or 31 and is expected to pass - simply provides
the resources to follow through on the Overseas Mission
decree that was unanimously endorsed by the Chamber of
Deputies on July 23.
¶3. SBU)In comments on July 25, Bossi noted that in light of
the rising casualties, increasing violence, and escalating
costs, Italy should consider bringing its troops home, not
just from Afghanistan but from a number of overseas missions,
including KFOR and UNIFIL. He also questioned whether the
objectives of bringing democracy and economic development to
Afghanistan were realistic. Bossi's blunt call was picked up
across the aisle by the leftist Italy of Values (IdV) party
headed by Antonio DiPietro who said that he opposed ""moving
from defending the local population to waging war ...
especially when good intentions have crumbled."" After an
outcry from within the government, and from PdL and most
opposition parties, both Lega and the IdV ""refined"" their
position, noting that they intended to support the funding
legislation but that the changing nature of the situation on
the ground in Afghanistan, including the Kabul government's
failure to deliver and the increased Taliban threat to
Italian and international forces argued for a political
discussion of the appropriate level of Italian engagement.
Noting a need to reassess after ""eight years of war,"" IdV
group leader Massimo Donadi called for a broader political
discussion after Afghanistan's August 20 elections.
LaRussa: Italy Committed in Afghanistan
---------------------------------------
¶4. SBU) Defense Minister LaRussa strongly rebutted the
skepticism about the mission, calling the ISAF mission
""unrenounceable and indispensable."" In his July 28 briefing
to the Chamber of Deputies, he underscored that the mission
had not changed - that the ISAF presence was necessary for
reconstruction and democratization to take hold - and that
Italy would stay until the job was done. He also detailed
short term plans to enhance the effectiveness of the Italian
effort. In addition to 400 troops for election security and
100 Carabienieri to train Afghan police, Italy plans to add
two Mangusta helicopters to the six already there, increase
the number of Predators, and substitute Linces with more
secure Freccia armored vehicles. LaRussa reiterated his
previous statements that he was lifting restrictions on
Italy's Tornado aircraft and that they would be allowed to
use their cannons to provide close air support as needed.
Prime Minister Berlusconi echoed LaRussa's comments, noting
that Italy had no intention
of changing its position on Afghanistan and chiding Bossi,
noting that his party had unanimously supported the
authorization for the missions in a July 23 vote. In comments
to PdL parliamentarians on July 29, Berlusconi was more
conciliatory, telling them that it would be appropriate to
discuss Italy's long-term ""exit stretagy"" after the Afghan
Presidential vote, but he stressed ""only in coordination with
our partners.""
ROME 00000877 002 OF 002
Finite Forces, Finite Money
---------------------------
¶5. C) Italy maintains three deployments of over 2,000
soldiers apiece -- UNIFIL, KFOR, and ISAF -- and is trying
to find new forces in a tight manpower and budgetary
environment. The GOI has pushed for a gradual draw down of
forces in Kosovo next year which will help its bottom line
and may free up troops for Afghanistan. Italy's current
command of the UNIFIL operation is a major factor in the size
of its contribution. MOD LaRussa's foreign policy advisor,
Alessandro Ruben, told us July 28 that if Italy hands over
command of UNIFIL to Spain next year, it expects to cut its
forces as well (septel). Ruben also stressed that Bossi --
who has a visceral dislike for foreign deployments -- is
making common cause with Italy's powerful and
independent-minded Finance Minister Tremonti who also thinks
they are a bad deal for Italy's core interests. By calling
for a cost-benefit analysis of its overseas obligations,
Bossi is serving notice of Lega's determination to get its
share of financing for projects it cares more deeply about,
including fiscal federalism and immigration issues.
Afghanistan: Creeping Doubt
---------------------------
¶6. C) Bossi and DiPietro are tapping into a growing Italian
unease about the course of the conflict in Afghanistan.
Since the spring, Italian forces appear to have taken on a
more aggressive posture and sought engagements with Taliban
forces in RC-West but have also come under more regular
attack. The Italian press has also extensively covered the
U.S. build up, the increases in Taliban strikes, and the
mounting NATO casualties. The death of a paratrooper on July
14, the first combat death since Berlusconi returned to
office in the Spring of 2008, has brought the issue to the
forefront of discussions. With Italian forces now regularly
engaged in firefights - extensively covered in the press and
commented upon by the government - the image of ISAF as
primarily a peacekeeping mission is eroding. The U.S.
build-up, our focus on the degrading situation in Pakistan,
and the launching of large new operations has fueled an image
of a situation slipping out of control. Both Bossi and
DiPietro seized on President Obama's comments about working
towards an ""exit strategy"" as a pretext to propose a rush to
the door. FM Frattini's Chief of Staff, Alain Economides told
Charge July 29 that ""we don't have a problem for now.""
However, he and Ruben noted that the public spin could veer
sharply.
Posturing for Regional Elections
--------------------------------
¶7. C) Comment: The timing of Bossi's outburst has far more
to do with domestic political calculation. With the G8 and
European elections now over, the Northern League and
Berlusconi's PdL are in open competition for the same voters
in the March 2010 regional elections. Coming off a very
strong showing in the European Parliament elections, Bossi is
both demonstrating his independence from Berlusconi and is
also seeking greater leverage within the current coalition.
While Afghanistan is a non-issue for Lega's core supporters,
Bossi is actively trying to lure working class voters who
have in the past backed the flailing leftist parties across
the divide. Taking an anti-militarist stance burnishes his
appeal. Most of Italy's regional president posts are up for
election next Spring and Bossi is keen to ensure that Lega
Nord has the edge in the competition for the key posts
against its PdL coalition partner. Reminding Berlusconi,
with whom he works very well, of his growing relative power
aids that effort. End Comment.
DIBBLE
"