Posted on 03/17/2005 6:05:23 PM PST by Tailgunner Joe
TO BITING criticism from the Italian Opposition and the press, Silvio Berlusconi, the Prime Minister, backtracked yesterday over his announcement that Italian troops would start withdrawing from Iraq in September, claiming that this had only ever been a “hope” rather than a commitment.
On Tuesday night Signor Berlusconi had caused consternation in London and Washington by declaring on state television that Italy would begin a “progressive withdrawal” of its 3,000-strong contingent from Iraq starting in September, provided local security conditions allowed this.
He said that he had discussed an “exit strategy” with Tony Blair and was responding to public opinion.
Il Giornale, the newspaper owned by the Berlusconi family, carried a front-page headline the next day reading “Troops to start pulling back in September” and described the move as “a turning point”.
Yesterday, however, Italian newspapers carried a “clarification” from Signor Berlusconi’s office stating that after a “long and cordial” conversation with President Bush the Italian leader wished to make it clear that there was “no fixed date” for withdrawal, which could only take place “in consultation with our allies”.
Signor Berlusconi said that the media had misinterpreted his words and built “castles in the air”.
La Repubblica retaliated with a front-page cartoon showing the Prime Minister declaring: “I never said what I said, and if I did say it, I misrepresented myself.”
The cartoon in Corriere della Sera had Signor Berlusconi dictating a statement reading: “I have agreed with Bush on an immediate withdrawal — that is, the immediate withdrawal of what I said on television.”
Signor Berlusconi insisted that he had not “corrected myself in anything” and rejected calls from the centre-left Opposition to go before parliament to clarify his position.
The Left had earlier lambasted him for making his remarks about troop withdrawals on a chat show rather than to Parliament. “What should I tell Parliament?” he was quoted as saying by Ansa, the Italian news agency. “Non-news?”.
The Left said that Signor Berlusconi had made his announcement for a domestic audience with an eye on key regional elections next month, seen as a dress rehearsal for the general election due next year, and had not taken into account its impact on Italy’s allies.
Gianfranco Fini, the Foreign Minister, who was accompanying President Ciampi on a state visit to Britain at the time of the announcement, is reported to have learnt about it from news agencies.
“In a serious country, heads of government cannot allow themselves ambiguous announcements on issues that touch on the life and death of many human beings,” Corriere della Sera said.
Bulgaria will reduce its troops in Iraq by around a quarter in June and will soon take a decision on a complete withdrawal this year, Nikolai Svinarov, the Defence Minister, said yesterday. The Balkan state, a staunch ally in the US-led operations, has a 450-strong light infantry battalion operating under Polish command in the south central town of Diwaniyah.
Well that was quick turnaround...
Send them home for rest, we can use them in Iran in the near future.
Now this is the Italy I know and love!! Total confusion, seemingly no leadership, yet the country keeps humming along!
I think Italy doesn't want a pullout yet. The start of a democratic country in the mid-east is historic and better to stay and reap the PR than turn and run at this point.
Do the trains still run on time?
Still?
"Send them home for rest, we can use them in Iran in the near future."
You-becha!
This is great! The local leftie talk show host was crowing about the Italians just yesterday. I'm going to love calling in tomorrow and feeding him some well done crow.
Crow tastes best with a spicy sauce.
Maybe Berlusconi has suddenly realized he has been played for a fool..
By the terrorists, and the communists..
Maybe it's all Bush's fault he found out..
Maybe I'll stop now..
Thank HEAVEN Berlusconi came to his senses and realzed he was being set up by that idiot reporter to hand another victory to al Qaeda the way Spain did.
The way things are going in Iraq right now, Italy could withdraw it's troops in September, you never know.
The important thing is not to give ANY perceived victory to proponents of Moussilini (Il Manifesto) or their friends in the Religion of Pieces (terrorists)
You joined FR just to insult an ally? Clever you.
Looks like another case of the 'Bush Doctrine' effect.
:}}}}}}}}Ping
Great pasta though...
Amazingly so.
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