VZCZCXRO5348
PP RUEHFL RUEHNP
DE RUEHRO #0493/01 1240915
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 040915Z MAY 09
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2012
RUEHMIL/AMCONSUL MILAN 0018
RUEHFL/AMCONSUL FLORENCE 3606
RUEHNP/AMCONSUL NAPLES 3796

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ROME 000493 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/PPD; EUR/WE; ECA; ECA/P/C; R 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: KPAO SCUL PGOV PREL IT
SUBJECT:  ABRUZZO EARTHQUAKE-POSSIBLE NEXT STEPS WITH NIAF 
 
REF:  Rome 428 
 
¶1.  SUMMARY:  At the conclusion of a visit by a delegation of the 
National Italian American Foundation (NIAF), Post proposes moving 
forward in a public-private partnership with NIAF, focused on 
education, specifically on the University of Aquila, in response to 
the earthquake that struck the Abruzzo region of Italy on April 6. 
NIAF has done considerable work on fund-raising and planning 
already, and their approach complements and enhances the assets the 
USG can bring to the effort.  END SUMMARY. 
 
¶2.  Charge joined NIAF President Joe Del Raso in meetings with the 
chief of Italian Civil Defense, the Ministers of the Interior and of 
Culture, and the Prime Minister's Undersecretary April 29 and 30. 
Italian interlocutors took on board the message that U.S. support 
may not take the same shape as that of some other countries, i.e. 
"adopting" one of the 44 cultural monuments published by the 
Ministry of Cultural Assets.  They understood that the U.S. private 
sector will take a leading role in the raising of funds, and that 
the USG will do everything it can to support this effort.  They also 
accepted, even welcomed our inclination to direct American support 
toward the University of Aquila. 
 
¶3.  The apparent convergence of interest suggests to us that the 
most promising way forward is a possible public-private partnership 
led by NIAF.  NIAF has already raised Dollars 400,000 in 
"spontaneous donations,"  which average Dollars 79.00.  They believe 
a subsequent targeted fundraising campaign can net a far greater 
sum.  As they have long considered educational exchanges one of 
their most important activities, they announced this week a program 
that will allow students from the University of Aquila to finish 
their studies at certain American universities.  (NIAF has already 
recruited four partner universities and is working with several 
others.)  NIAF President Del Raso says this "living approach" has 
the best chance of appealing to American donors.  The focus on the 
University of Aquila allows NIAF to include a portion of raised 
funds toward "bricks and mortar."  Though it is by no means clear 
that this will include the University's main building, which is one 
of the 44 historic monuments on the GOI's list, it will at least 
address in part what the GOI considers a priority for foreign 
support. 
 
¶4.  NIAF has heard concerns on the part of potential American 
donors, and is going to considerable lengths to make sure that none 
of the donated money will profit organized crime.  To that end, the 
delegation met with the Italian Director of National Police and the 
Minister of the Interior, and came away satisfied that this concern 
is taken seriously and being addressed with regard to reconstruction 
in Abruzzo.  The fact that NIAF's Vice Chair Louis Freeh is 
associated with the earthquake relief effort will also be a 
reassuring factor to potential American donors in this regard.  He 
is the most prominent member of an advisory committee of four 
individuals that NIAF has set up to lead their earthquake response 
effort.  The others are former A/S Pat Harrison, former Ambassador 
to the Vatican Jim Nicholson, and former Italian Ambassador Sergio 
Vento.  They are ready to work with other civil society groups, with 
the USG, and with the Italians on a coordinated American response. 
 
¶5.  What NIAF needs to make this into a public-private partnership 
is a signal that the USG sees a coordinated approach - with NIAF 
playing an important role - as the way forward.  They will do 
"whatever it takes," be it an MOU or a joint communique, to make 
this happen in partnership with the Department.  Throughout their 
visit, the NIAF delegates were at pains to coordinate their message 
with the Embassy, so that what the Italians heard was consistent. 
They would be happy to discuss bringing into this effort one or more 
famous persons to lend weight to the fundraising effort. 
 
¶6.  The Charge's visit to Italy's Civil Defense Chief Guido 
Bertolaso on April 29, and the subsequent tour of the devastation in 
the sealed-off historic center of Aquila, provided the visiting NIAF 
delegation access that would otherwise have been difficult for them 
to attain, especially so soon after the disaster.  It was Bertolaso 
who reacted most warmly to the proposed emphasis on the University 
of Aquila, referring to its economic importance:  "If we are not 
able to keep the (27,000) students here, Aquila will die."  In the 
subsequent tour of the center of the town, we came close to, but did 
not reach, the seat of the university, and could not assess how 
badly damaged it is.  NIAF board Secretary John Calvelli considers 
the University's Aula Magna or main hall, located in a nearby 
building, as a possible alternative project. 
 
¶7.  Palazzo Chigi arranged after the meeting with Undersecretary 
Gianni Letta a small press event during which NIAF president Del 
Raso handed over a blow-up of a check for Dollars 400,000.  Charge 
spoke briefly about U.S. commitment to help Abruzzo in the aftermath 
of this tragedy, adding that the American response would be a 
long-term effort. 
 
 
ROME 00000493  002 OF 002 
 
 
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