ID:166086
    Date:2008-08-14 14:06:00
    Origin:08ROME1046
    Source:Embassy Rome
    Classification:CONFIDENTIAL
    Dunno:08STATE87254
    Destination:VZCZCXRO0873
OO RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHRO #1046 2271406
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 141406Z AUG 08
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0788
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW IMMEDIATE 4442
RUEHSI/AMEMBASSY TBILISI IMMEDIATE 0226
RUEHFL/AMCONSUL FLORENCE IMMEDIATE 3171
RUEHMIL/AMCONSUL MILAN IMMEDIATE 9520
RUEHNP/AMCONSUL NAPLES IMMEDIATE 3318
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO IMMEDIATE 2962
RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE IMMEDIATE 0345
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0911
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS IMMEDIATE 4653
    
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