Cable Viewer

Currently released so far... 12576 / 251,287

### Browse latest releases

2010/11 2010/12 2011/01 2011/02 2011/03 2011/04 2011/05
2010/11/28 2010/11/29 2010/11/30
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

### Browse by creation date

66 72 73 75 79 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 96 97 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10
1966/12
1972/02 1972/08
1973/04
1975/03
1979/08
1985/03 1985/05 1985/06
1986/05
1987/06
1988/01
1989/12
1990/01 1990/07 1990/08 1990/10
1991/05
1992/01 1992/06 1992/12
1993/10
1996/11
1997/12
2000/05 2000/06 2000/09 2000/11
2001/02 2001/03 2001/06 2001/07 2001/09 2001/10 2001/11
2002/01 2002/02 2002/03 2002/04 2002/07 2002/08 2002/09 2002/11
2003/01 2003/02 2003/03 2003/04 2003/05 2003/06 2003/07 2003/08 2003/09 2003/10 2003/11 2003/12
2004/01 2004/02 2004/03 2004/04 2004/05 2004/06 2004/07 2004/08 2004/09 2004/10 2004/11 2004/12
2005/01 2005/02 2005/03 2005/04 2005/05 2005/06 2005/07 2005/08 2005/09 2005/10 2005/11 2005/12
2006/01 2006/02 2006/03 2006/04 2006/05 2006/06 2006/07 2006/08 2006/09 2006/10 2006/11 2006/12
2007/01 2007/02 2007/03 2007/04 2007/05 2007/06 2007/07 2007/08 2007/09 2007/10 2007/11 2007/12
2008/01 2008/02 2008/03 2008/04 2008/05 2008/06 2008/07 2008/08 2008/09 2008/10 2008/11 2008/12
2009/01 2009/02 2009/03 2009/04 2009/05 2009/06 2009/07 2009/08 2009/09 2009/10 2009/11 2009/12
2010/01 2010/02

### Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
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 Freetown Consulate Fukuoka
Embassy Guatemala Embassy Gaborone Consulate Guayaquil Consulate Guadalajara
Embassy Helsinki Embassy Harare Embassy Hanoi Consulate Ho Chi Minh City Consulate Hermosillo Consulate Hamilton Consulate Hamburg Consulate Halifax
Iran RPO Dubai Embassy Islamabad Consulate Istanbul
Embassy Jakarta Consulate Jerusalem Consulate Jeddah
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 Ouagadougou Embassy Ottawa Embassy Oslo
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
Embassy Quito Consulate Quebec
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
Embassy Windhoek Embassy Wellington Embassy Warsaw
Embassy Yerevan Embassy Yaounde
Embassy Zagreb

### Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
AF AMGT ASEC AMED AEMR APER AORC AR ARF AG AS ABLD APCS AID AU APECO AFFAIRS AFIN ADANA AJ ADCO AA AECL AADP ACAO ANET AY APEC AORG ASEAN ABUD AGR AROC AO AE AM AODE AL ACABQ AGMT AX AMEX ATRN AFGHANISTAN AZ ASUP AND ARM AQ ATFN AMBASSADOR ACBAQ AFSI AFSN AGAO AC ADPM ASIG AUC ASEX AER AVERY AGRICULTURE ACOA ASCH AFU AINF AMG ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG AORL ADM AN AIT AMCHAMS ALOW ACS
BR BA BK BD BU BEXP BO BM BT BRUSSELS BIDEN BTIO BE BY BB BL BG BP BC BBSR BH BX BF BWC BN BTIU BMGT BILAT
CA CASC CS CU CWC CBW CO CH CE CI CDG CVIS CG CM CICTE CMGT COUNTER CPAS COUNTRY CJAN CIDA CD CT CODEL CBE CW CDC CFED CONS CONDOLEEZZA CL COM CR CKGR CHR CVR CIA CLINTON CY COUNTERTERRORISM CITEL CLEARANCE COE CN CARICOM CB CACS CSW CIC CITT CACM CDB CF CJUS CTM CAN CLMT CBC CAC CNARC CV CROS CIS CBSA CEUDA CARSON CAPC COPUOS CTR
DR DA DK DHS DPRK DEPT DEA DJ DISENGAGEMENT DE DOMESTIC DOD DOE DTRA DS DEFENSE DO DAO DCM DEAX
EFIN ECON EAID ENRG EAIR EC ELAB ETRD EINV ETTC ECIN EPET EG EAGR EFIS EUN ECPS EU EN EIND ELTN EINT ECA EPA EWWT EMIN ENVI ENGR ETRC EXTERNAL EI ELN ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS ET EZ EK ES EINVEFIN ETRDECONWTOCS ER EUR ETC ENVR EAP ENIV ECONOMY EINN EFTA ECONOMIC EXBS ELECTIONS ECUN ENGY ECONOMICS EIAR EINDETRD ECONEFIN EURN EDU ETRDEINVTINTCS ECIP EFIM EAIDS EREL EINVETC ECONCS EUMEM ETRA ESA ECINECONCS EAIG ETRO EUREM EUC ENERG ERD EEPET EUNCH EXIM EFINECONCS ETRN ESENV ENNP EINVECONSENVCSJA ERNG
FI FR FTA FARC FJ FTAA FAC FBI FAO FAS FM FINR FREEDOM FOR FINANCE FOREIGN FOI FDA FMLN FO FISO
GV GG GM GH GOV GOI GL GT GF GR GCC GAERC GE GZ GA GAZA GY GLOBAL GTIP GERARD GANGS GTMO
HA HR HO HK HU HILLARY HI HURI HUMAN HYMPSK HSTC HEBRON HUMOR
IS IC IR IT IN IAEA IBRD ITU ILO IZ ID ICRC IPR ISRAELI IIP IMO INMARSAT IWC IV ITPGOV ITALIAN IO INTERNAL IRS ICTY IA INTERPOL IRAQI IEA INRB IL ICAO ICJ INR IMF ITALY IAHRC IZPREL IRAJ ITF IQ ILC IF ITPHUM ISRAEL IACI ICTR IEFIN INTELSAT INDO IDP IRC ITRA IBET INRA INRO IDA IGAD ISLAMISTS
JA JUS JO JOSEPH JM JP JAMES JOHN JOHNNIE
KCRM KNNP KDEM KFLO KTIP KFRD KWMN KJUS KSCA KSEP KFLU KOLY KHLS KCOR KTBT KPAL KISL KIRF KTFN KPRV KAWC KUNR KV KIPR KTIA KTDB KPAO KZ KBCT KN KPKO KSTH KSUM KIDE KS KU KWBG KPAONZ KOMC KNUC KMDR KE KNNPMNUC KSTC KWAC KERG KACT KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KSCI KGHG KHDP KVPR KICC KPRP KBIO KCIP KTLA KMPI KHIV KCSY KTRD KCFE KGIC KRVC KNAR KSPR KMRS KNPP KDRG KJUST KMCA KOCI KPWR KFIN KFSC KCMR KTER KRCM KIRC KSEO KNEI KCFC KSAF KSAC KR KG KCHG KAWK KGCC KPLS KREL KMFO KFTFN KTEX KCOM KO KLIG KDEMAF KBTR KRAD KGIT KVRP KPAI KICA KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KHUM KREC KSEC KPIN KESS KDEV KWWMN KOM KBTS KCRS KWNM KRFD KVIR KMIG KDDG KRGY KMOC KIFR KID KAID KWMNCS KPOA KPAK KRIM KHSA KENV KOMS KWMM KNSD KX KCGC KCRCM KNUP
LE LY LI LH LTTE LG LO LAB LOG LT LABOR LU LA
MARR MNUC MX MOPS MO MCAP MASS MY MZ MTCRE MIL ML MPOS MP MG MD MK MA MI MOPPS MR MTS MLS MILI MAR MU MEPN MAPP MEPI MASC MEETINGS MERCOSUR MW MAS MTCR MT MCC MIK MARAD MAPS MV MILITARY MDC MEPP MEDIA MASSMNUC MUCN MC MTRE MRCRE MQADHAFI
NZ NU NP NO NATO NI NL NS NAFTA NDP NIPP NPT NE NZUS NH NR NA NSF NG NSG NC NEW NRR NATIONAL NT NASA NAR NV NSSP NK NATOPREL NPG NSFO NSC NORAD NW NGO NPA
OTRA OVIP OPCW OPDC OREP OAS OPIC OECD OFDP OPRC OIIP OEXC ODIP OSCE OIE OSCI OTR OMIG OSAC OBSP OFDA OFFICIALS OVP OIC OHUM ON OCII OES OPAD OCS
PGOV PREL PRAM PTER PREF PARM PHUM PINR PA PE PM PK PINS PMIL PROP PALESTINIAN PBTS PARMS PHSA POL PO PROG POLITICS PBIO PL PTERE PRGOV PORG PP PS PGOF PKFK PSOE PEPR PPA PINT PMAR PRELP PREFA PINF PNG POLICY PFOR PUNE PGOVLO PAO PHUMBA PSEPC PNAT PNR POLINT PGOVE PHALANAGE PARTY PDEM PECON PROV PBT PAK PGOC PY PLN PGIV PHUH PF PRL PG PHUS PTBS PU POV POLITICAL PARTIES PCUL PGGV PSA PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA PINL PAS PDOV PHUMPGOV POGOV PREO PEL PHUMPREL PCI PAHO PSI PAIGH POSTS
QA
RO RU RS RP RW RICE RM RSP RF RCMP RIGHTS RIGHTSPOLMIL RUPREL RELATIONS REACTION RFE ROOD REGION REPORT RSO ROBERT
SENV SMIG SNAR SOCI SP SY SYRIA SZ SU SA SCUL SW SO SL SR SENVKGHG SF SI SEVN SARS SN SC SAN STEINBERG SG ST SIPDIS SNARIZ SNARN SSA SK SPCVIS SOFA SYR SANC SWE SHI SEN SHUM SH SPCE SNARCS SIPRS SAARC SCRS
TSPL TF TU TRGY TS TBIO TT TK TPHY TI TSPA TERRORISM TH TIP TC TNGD TW TX TO TRSY TN TURKEY TL TV TD TZ TBID TINT TP TFIN TAGS TR THPY
UK UNGA UN UNCHC UNSC UV US UY USTR UNHRC UP UG USUN UNESCO USPS UZ USEU UNCHR USAID UNMIK UNHCR UE UNVIE UAE UNO UNDP UNAUS USOAS UNODC UNCHS UNFICYP UNEP UNIDROIT UNDESCO UNC UNPUOS UNCSD UNDC UNICEF USNC UNCND
VE VT VZ VTPREL VM VTIZ VAT VN VC VI VTEG
WTO WTRO WS WI WZ WHO WBG WB WWARD WHA WITH WIPO WTRQ WEU WMO WA WHTI WFP WMD
XF XM XG XT XZ XA XY XK XL XW XV XB XU XS XR XH XD XC XX XE XQ XTAG XI
YM YI YE YMCS
ZI ZU ZR ZB ZJ ZP ZEALAND ZN ZL ZA ZK ZF ZANU ZO ZOELLICK

### Browse by classification

CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN SECRET SECRET//NOFORN UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

### Community resources

Follow us on Twitter Check our Reddit Twitter this Digg this page Contact us on IRC

courage is contagious

### Viewing cable 05ROME1593, IRAQ/ITALY: BERLUSCONI IN PARLIAMENT ON CALIPARI-

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.

To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.
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. #05ROME1593.

Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
05ROME1593 | 2005-05-09 15:53 | 2010-12-20 21:30 | SECRET | Embassy Rome

`

    This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

    091553Z May 05

` `

    S E C R E T  ROME 001593

    SIPDIS

    BAGHDAD PLEASE PASS TO BG VANGJEL;
    JUSTICE FOR ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL, CRIMINAL DIVISION

    EO 12958 DECL: 05/08/2015
    TAGS PREL, MOPS, KJUS, IT, IZ, IRAQI FREEDOM
    SUBJECT: IRAQ/ITALY: BERLUSCONI IN PARLIAMENT ON CALIPARI-
    STRESSES GOOD RELATIONS AND COOPERATION WITH US, COMMITMENT TO IRAQ; ALSO MENTIONS WITHDRAWAL PLANS
    REF: ROME 1506

    Classified By: DCM Emil Skodon, reasons 1.4 b and d.

    ¶1. (S) Summary and Recommendation: On May 5-6, PM Berlusconi spoke to both houses of Parliament about the joint investigation and separate reports of the March 4 shooting of Italian Intelligence officer Nicola Calipari by US forces near Baghdad. While Berlusconi defended the Italian report and took issue with some of the US report’s findings (see synopsis of his remarks at para 3), he reaffirmed the points of most importance to us: the incident was unintentional; US-Italy relations and our alliance remain strong; and Italy remains committed to its involvement in Iraq. We continue to recommend letting the US report speak for us rather than prolonging public debate. While the issue appears to be losing steam here, we still must deal with the MLAT requests and the possibility of a continuing investigation by Italian prosecutors. End summary and recommendation

    ¶2. (U) On May 5, PM Berlusconi briefed the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate on the Italian and US reports that concluded the work of the joint investigation in to the March 4 shooting of Italian Intelligence officer Nicola Calipari by US forces near Baghdad. Berlusconi, in televised session, was flanked by FM Fini and other cabinet ministers. A debate followed. A synopsis of his remarks, as reported in the Chamber of Deputies transcript follows (his report to the Senate was nearly identical).

    ¶3. (U) Begin synopsis of transcript:
    The impossibility of reaching shared conclusions....certainly mean that the joint investigation...was not able to bring its task to full completion. Nonetheless, it is also true that the US decision to open a joint investigation with Italy is unprecedented and came in response to a request by the Italian government. Investigations were objectively conditioned by the lack of preservation of the scene of the incident. This notwithstanding, the work of the joint investigation team was carried out in a climate of strong mutual cooperation and the Italian members of the team had full access to -- and were enabled to acquire -- all the information available.
    Discrepancies between the Italian and American reports turned out to be irreducible and I will certainly not be the one to minimize the size of the disagreement. Discrepancies in the two texts touch on aspects that are far from being marginal. The US considered reliable testimony and data that do not coincide with what we collected and which we found were reliable. In particular, the declarations by the two Italian survivors are in contrast with those by the US military. Given that the impartiality and good faith of the US investigators cannot be under discussion, and I think we all agree on this, we cannot but respect their conclusions, noting that they do not coincide with ours. This is even the opinion of the Americans on our results and also, their report converges with ours on this -- it recognizes that not everything worked as it should have in preparing/locating and managing that blocking position.
    Both sides, however, recognize that the incident was unintentional and both sides recognize the need to take concrete operational measures to avoid similar occurrences in the future. Still, one thing is to conclude like the Americans did, because of disciplinary measures, and another is to underscore, as we did -- and I quote -- on the basis of acquired evidence that there was a lack of intention . The absence of criminal intent -- the intention -- does not rule out the guilt/responsibility that is ascribable to negligence, imprudence or even simply inexperience. And this, you will agree, is not a small difference. The Italian report concluded that the blocking positions was irregular. It was set up with no written or specific instructions and was located where it had little visibility and could not protect the security of the military manning it nor that of drivers of vehicles approaching it. Accusations and criticism of the Government for how it managed the Calipari case and for the conclusion of the joint investigation are paradoxical. If we believe one vision of the facts is credible rather than another, it evidently cannot be friendship to make one change one’s mind. This is elementary and holds true for both the US and Italy.
    The friendship between Italy and the US is not under discussion. The alliance and the friendship with the United states have solid foundations, foundations that we are committed to consolidating every day against the threat of totalitarianism and terrorism. Our friendship has overcome even more difficult tests. To this day, Italy recognizes itself in the Le Monde headline after the 9/11 tragedy that read, “We are all Americans.”
    Our commitment to do what is possible to ascertain the truth and possible responsibilities remains unchanged. It is a commitment we intend to honor, first and foremost for the respect we owe to the memory of Nicola Calipari. The Italian judiciary can count on the firm support of the Government. I want to free the ground from any misunderstanding: there is no connection between the investigation into the circumstances of the death of Calipari and the continuation of the Italian commitment toward reconstruction in Iraq...We do not intend to establish any kind of link between the assessment of the event in which our official lost his life and Italy’s role in Iraq. Italy is in Iraq in compliance with a UN Security Council Resolution.
    End synopsis of transcript.

    ¶4. (U) In response to press questions after the debate, Berlusconi said:
    The Center-Left opposition’s attitude was “responsible,” because they did not place under discussion the alliance nor the friendship with the US. The opposition continues to ask for our withdrawal from Iraq, which is in the plans, in agreement with the Iraq government and the allies. In the past, we have made announcements to this effect and we hold to this prospect. There is no reason today to say, “everybody home.” It would sound irresponsible and incomprehensible. On the progressive withdrawal of troops from Iraq we already announced our position some time ago. We already discussed it with our main allies. We will continue to talk with them. A progressive reduction of our presence will certainly occur. I had even given an indication of when. Everything will be in agreement with the Iraqi government and with our allies. I even spoke about it directly and personally with Bush and Blair. Therefore, we continue in this direction. An international conference on Iraq will soon take place. Italian efforts for the reconstruction of Iraq are not isolated and even NATO and the EU are now involved.

    ¶5. (S) COMMENT: Berlusconi’s remarks, while reassuring on Iraq and on US-Italy relations, also reflect a position he and his government staked out on the Calipari case from the beginning: a commitment to fix responsibility. Although this commitment was not actually included in the joint investigation’s terms of reference, Berlusconi evidently felt an obligation to adhere to it. We believe this was at the heart of US-Italian disagreements over the joint investigation conclusions and set the tone of both the Italian report and Berlusconi’s remarks to Parliament. In particular, the determination to avoid any criticism of Calipari’s own role led the Italian government and investigators to ignore a question that seemed obvious to the US investigation: out of the 30 cars that came to the blocking position, why was this the only car fired upon that night? As in Reftel, we continue to urge Washington to discourage USG spokespeople from point-by-point refutation of the Italian report or Berlusconi’s remarks. As much as possible, we should allow our report to speak for itself on our view of the incident. This will hasten the fading of the case from the political radar screen.

    ¶6. (U) Baghdad minimize considered.
    SEMBLER
    NNNN  2005ROME01593 - Classification: SECRET

`