VZCZCXRO0036
PP RUEHFL RUEHNP
DE RUEHRO #0428 1050638
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 150638Z APR 09
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1926
RUEHMIL/AMCONSUL MILAN 9977
RUEHFL/AMCONSUL FLORENCE 3585
RUEHNP/AMCONSUL NAPLES 3763

UNCLAS ROME 000428 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR ECA; ECA/P/C; EUR/PPD; EUR/WE; R 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: KPAO SCUL PGOV PREL IT
SUBJECT:  COORDINATION OF RESPONSE TO ABRUZZO EARTHQUAKE 
 
REF:  A) ROME 402, B) ROME 392, C) STATE 33560 
 
¶1.  In the wake of the earthquake which struck Italy on April 6 (Ref 
B), expressions of American solidarity and sympathy have been widely 
reported in the media and greatly appreciated.  Caustic comments 
about the size of our initial emergency $50,000 disaster grant were 
reported in only one provocative newspaper, and quickly balanced by 
the President's April 7 telephone call to Prime Minister Berlusconi. 
The contents of that call, as described by the PM to the media, 
included the President's offer of assistance.  The PM said he told 
the President that Italy could manage well in the immediate 
aftermath, but that American (and other) assistance would be needed 
in reconstruction and rehabilitation of cultural monuments, possibly 
some churches.  According to Berlusconi's reports, the President 
replied positively, indicating the U.S. would look at Italy's needs 
and try to help. 
 
¶2.  This has morphed, in the public consciousness, into the 
assumption that the USG will be involved in rehabilitation efforts 
following immediate remediation.  Several other governments have 
also expressed willingness to consider assistance, with media 
reporting that the FRG offered to rebuild a church in hard-hit Onna, 
for example.  Today we learned that Prime Minister Berlusconi, as a 
follow-up to his phone call with the President, has tasked Minister 
of Culture Sandro Bondi with fundraising in the U.S. for the 
restoration of cultural heritage sites damaged in the earthquake. 
Asked about the timing, the Minister's staff told us the plan is 
that the Minister travel to the U.S. within ten days. 
 
¶3.  Charge spoke last week to the President of the National Italian 
American Foundation (NIAF), Joseph V. Del Raso, about possibly 
combining efforts toward earthquake assistance.  Del Raso reacted 
very positively to the idea of a public-private partnership for the 
possible rehabilitation of a cultural site, such as a church or 
other building of cultural significance.  It is our understanding 
that NIAF, which set up a disaster relief fund immediately after the 
earthquake, had already raised 100,000 dollars at the time of the 
Charge's conversation with Del Raso. 
 
¶4.  Post appreciates ECA's and EUR's interest and looks forward to 
working with you to determine the best way forward in this effort. 
We propose Post be the go-between with the GOI, and Washington be 
the lead in the establishment of a public-private partnership. 
 
¶5.  Point of contact at Embassy Rome for this project will be CAO 
David Mees:  MeesD@state.gov; Tel 011-39-06-4674-2120.  Cell: 
011-39-335-846-8020; Fax: 011-39-06-4674-2478. 
DIBBLE