VZCZCXRO2919
OO RUEHAST
DE RUEHRO #1552 1421421
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 221421Z MAY 06
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4867
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD IMMEDIATE 0221
RUEHFL/AMCONSUL FLORENCE IMMEDIATE 1417
RUEHMIL/AMCONSUL MILAN IMMEDIATE 7124
RUEHNP/AMCONSUL NAPLES IMMEDIATE 1489
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS ROME 001552 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL KDEM KPAO IZ IT
SUBJECT: ITALIANS WELCOME FORMATION OF IRAQI GOVERNMENT 
 
REF: STATE 81632 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary. The GOI welcomed the formation of the new 
Iraqi Government and pledged to continue support for Iraqi 
reconstruction and democratic development.  Newly elected 
Prime Minister Prodi, who was critical of the war, and 
newly-appointed Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema issued 
individual statements of support for the new Iraqi 
Government.  These statements were widely covered in the 
Italian press.  End Summary. 
 
¶2. (U)  On May 20, the Italian MFA expressed satisfaction 
with the formation of the new Iraqi Government.  The GOI 
statement noted that the formation of the government was an 
important step toward stabilization, reconstruction and 
democratization of the country.  The statement reiterated 
Italy's commitment to provide support, along with "principal 
international partners", for the continuing reconstruction 
and democractic development of Iraq. 
 
¶3. (U)  Newly-elected PM Romano Prodi issued a message to 
Iraqi PM Al Maliki stating, "In the name of the Italian 
Government and me personally, I send you the sincerest 
congratulations for the formation of the new government.  The 
choice for reconciliation under the mark of inclusivity of 
all the most representative elements of the country is an 
important premise in the difficult path to rebuilding a 
democratic Iraq.  Italy will support Iraq in this." 
 
¶4. (U)  Newly-appointed FM Massimo D'Alema sent a 
congratulatory note to Iraqi FM Hoshiyar Zebari stating that 
the new Iraqi Government "is a source of hope for the 
pacification, reconstruction and democratization process for 
your country, so that the spirit of reconciliation and 
national unity between all political, religious and ethnic 
groups can prevail." 
SPOGLI