Cablegate: Iraq - Italy Requests Help to Disburse Soft Loans

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

UNCLAS ROME 004169

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID EFIN PHUM PK PREL IT IZ IRAQI FREEDOM AVIATION FAA
SUBJECT: IRAQ - ITALY REQUESTS HELP TO DISBURSE SOFT LOANS
TO IRAQ

REF: A. MCKERNAN-O'HARA EMAIL
B. ROME 04052

1. This is an action request. Please see Para 4 below.

2. (SBU) Federika Ferrari Bravo, MFA Coordinator for
Economic Assistance to Iraq, asked December 6 for U.S. help
to complete an Italy-Iraq loan agreement to permit Italy to
disburse a five million euro soft loan to reestablish the
Iraqi meteorological system, essential for running Iraq's
airports. Italy cannot disburse the loan until the Iraqi
Ministry of Finance signs the already-drafted agreement.

3. (U) Although Italy's own efforts to date have not led to
a signed agreement, Ferrari Bravo said she would again ask
Italy's Embassy in Baghdad to press Iraq's Finance Ministry,
but would appreciate our also raising the matter with the
Ministry. The point of contact at Italy's Embassy in Baghdad
is Mainarndo Bernadelli, Deputy Chief of Mission.

4. (SBU) Comment and Action Requested. We would like to be
responsive to Ferrari Bravo's request, which she directed to
Deputy Senior Coordinator for Iraq Robert Deutch (reftel B)
during his courtesy call on her. We would appreciate
guidance on what we might tell Ferrari Bravo. End comment
and action requested.
SPOGLI

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