VZCZCXYZ4394
PP RUEHWEB
DE RUEHRO #0274 0651311
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 051311Z MAR 08
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9938
C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 000274
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
ISN/CB FOR ANDREW SOUZA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/05/2033
TAGS: PARM PREL ETTC IT
SUBJECT: AUSTRALIA GROUP: ITALIAN PARTICIPATION IN PLENARY
INFORMATION EXCHANGE AND EXPERTS ENFORCEMENT MEETINGS REF: STATE 16112 Classified By: EconCouns William Meara for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1.(U) Econoff delivered reftel non-paper on participation in the Australia Group's Plenary information exchange and
experts meetings to Roberto Liotto, the Italian MFA official responsible for GOI participation in the Australia Group
(AG). Liotto said that by March 14, he will inform the AG Secretariat of the subject of the GOI presentation and the
SIPDIS composition of the GOI delegation, which he will head. The GOI presentation is being prepared by experts at the
Ministry of Trade and Italian Customs.
2.(C) Liotto reiterated the GOI position concerning possible Russian membership in the Australia Group. The GOI supports
continued AG outreach on export control issues to the GOR, but recognizes that Russia must meet AG membership
requirements in order to become a member of the group.
SPOGLI