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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ROME 000647 
 
SIPDIS 
 
OES/OPA - LISA PHELPS 
 
FLORENCE FOR SAN MARINO 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: EFIS SENV PREL KSCA IWC IT
SUBJECT: INTERNATIONAL WHALING COMMISSION: ITALIAN VIEWS 
 
Ref:  State 57029 
 
¶1.  Summary.  Italian International Whaling Commissioner Giuseppe 
Ambrosio responded on June 8 to our inquiries regarding the upcoming 
International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting (reftel).  Among the 
key points: Italy supports keeping the Small Working Group (SWG) 
closed to observers, and believes it could be useful to reduce the 
number of SWG members.  In light of this, and because Italy feels 
well-represented by the current and upcoming EU Presidency 
countries, Italy is considering withdrawing from future SWG 
meetings.  Italy would support Dr. L. Rojas Bracho (Mexico) as 
Commission Chair; Mr. O. Samsing (Denmark), Mr. A. Nakamae (Japan), 
or Prof. J. M. M. M. Palmeirim (Portugal) as Vice-Chair; and Dr. W. 
Hogarth as SWG Chair.  End summary. 
 
¶2.  Below, in Q and A format, are reftel questions and the text of 
Commissioner Ambrosio's reply, slightly edited to improve 
readability. 
 
 
a. Q:  What are your recommendations for continuation of the 
"Future" process, with a goal towards reaching a consensus package 
by the 2010 annual meeting? 
 
A:  Italy believes that in order to achieve a consensus on any 
package, a serious political effort will need to be made to avoid 
predetermined positions and/or blocks.  They see the current 
practice of forming geographically- or policy-oriented groups of 
countries as a serious threat to the IWC.  In addition, Italy 
believes that any proposed package will need to be strongly based on 
the scientific advice of the IWC Scientific Committee, according to 
the current existing procedures.  No dangerous shortcuts and/or 
temporary solutions can be acceptable. 
 
 
b. Q: Should the meetings be open to observers? 
 
A:  Italy holds that SWG meetings should remain closed to observers. 
 That will permit continuation of the current candid discussions 
that may not necessarily represent the actual or final position of 
countries.  In Italy's view, this is one of the main positive 
aspects of the work of this WG.  The suggestion of having closed 
meetings was tabled by Prof. Juma at the London meeting and it 
represents a normal practice in sensitive international 
negotiations. 
 
 
c. Q: Should there be a limit on the number of countries that 
participate in these discussions? 
 
A:  A smaller number would probably help more the current process, 
provided that a good geographical and "cultural" representativeness 
is maintained.  For this reason, Italy is currently considering 
withdrawing for the next meetings, given the fact that Italy feels 
well represented by the current and next EC Presidencies (Czech 
Republic and Sweden).  It is also true that if some Member Country 
does not feel represented, it has the full right to be included. 
 
 
d. Q: Given the important role the IWC Chair and 
 
ROME 00000647  002 OF 002 
 
 
Vice-Chair have played throughout this process, what recommendations 
do you have as to who the next 
Chair and Vice-Chair of the Commission should be? 
 
¶A.  Italy believes that Dr. L. Rojas Bracho (Mexico) would be a 
competent and balanced Chair and that Mr. O. Samsing (Denmark) or 
Mr. A. Nakamae (Japan) could be competent Vice-Chairs.  However, 
Italy is not aware if these distinguished commissioners are 
interested in these vacancies.  On the other hand, Italy is 
unofficially aware that Prof. J. M. M. M. Palmeirim (Portugal) is 
open to nomination and Italy would see also this as a reasonable 
option. 
 
 
e. Q: An expert in multilateral negotiations has chaired the SWG. 
 
e.1: Has this been effective? 
 
¶A.  Yes. 
 
e.2: What recommendations, if any, do you have regarding the 
chairmanship of the SWG? 
 
¶A.  In order to optimise the current limited resources of the IWC, 
Italy believes that Dr. W. Hogarth could be an excellent chair of 
this group. 
 
Dibble