Wikileaks [9]: Gates: No Iranian "lethal" support of Taliban'

Friday, 12 February 2010, 13:18

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 ROME 000173

NOFORN

SIPDIS

SECDEF FOR USDP, ISA, ISA/EURNATO

EO 12958 DECL: 02/11/2020

TAGS PREL, MARR, MOPS, NATO, IT, AF, IR

SUBJECT: SECDEF MEETING WITH ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER

FRANCO FRATTINI, FEBRUARY 8, 2010

ROME 00000173 001.2 OF 003

Classified By: Ambassador Alexander Vershbow for Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D )

1. (S/NF) SUMMARY: Secretary of Defense Robert Gates (SecDef) met with Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs Franco Frattini during an official visit to Rome on February 8... SecDef warned that a nuclear Iran would lead to greater proliferation in the Middle East, war, or both. SecDef agreed with Frattini that a United Nations conference highlighting security challenges in the Horn of Africa was a good idea. END SUMMARY.

2. (S/NF) Frattini opened by telling SecDef that the U.S. can count on Italy's full support on Afghanistan, Iran and fighting terror. ... Frattini wanted to get beyond "just talking" -- referencing the London conference ...

5. (S/NF) Frattini also asked about practical cooperation across the Afghan-Iranian border. Local incentives for cooperation might undermine weapons and drug trafficking and help co-opt reconcilable Taliban. SecDef noted that Iran is playing both sides of the street -- trying to be friendly with the Afghanistan government while trying to undermine ISAF efforts. He noted that intelligence indicated there was little lethal material crossing the Afghanistan-Iran border. SecDef suggested that trade route protection from Afghanistan into Eastern Iran, which is important for local economies on both sides of the border, might be a place to start. SecDef noted that any effort will need to be coordinated with Kabul. Frattini agreed this would be a good starting point..."