C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 001046 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/15/2018
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, GG, RU, IT SUBJECT: AMB URGES ITALY TO PUSH FOR 
RUSSIAN WITHDRAWAL REF: STATE 87254 Classified By: Ambassador Ronald P. 
Spogli for reasons 1.4 b and d 

1. (C) Ambassador Spogli delivered reftel
points requesting the GOI's engagement with Russia to PM Berlusconi's 
principal adviser, U/S Gianni Letta on August 14. Letta told the 
Ambassador that he would convey the points to PM Berlusconi who was in 
the next room. 

2. (C) The Ambassador told Letta we had heard reports of a
continued Russian military presence around Gori and the port city of 
Poti which included attacks on Georgian military positions and 
destruction of property. The Ambassador said it was essential that all 
Russian troops withdraw from Georgia and return to South Ossetia as soon
as possible. Letta agreed. The Ambassador also encouraged the GOI to 
push Russia to permit free and unimpeded access to both international 
observes and providers of humanitarian and reconstruction assistance. 

3. (C) The Ambassador told Letta that Washington was "not happy" with the 
Italian response thus far and that we had been particularly perplexed by
FM Frattini's statements. The Ambassador encouraged the GOI to evaluate
the facts on the ground and act accordingly. The Ambassador noted that 
the current policy of "equidistance" (between U.S. and Russia) will seem
inappropriate once the facts have been fully examined. Letta indicated 
he had anticipated the U.S. displeasure with the Italian position and 
that he would convey the message to the PM soonest. SPOGLI