Berlusconi: I tried to stop Bush

News.com.au ^ | 14 Nov. 2004

[ValenB4]

I tried to stop Bush: Italian PM From correspondents in Brussels November 14, 2003

ITALIAN Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said today he had tried to stop US President George W Bush from going to war against Iraq.

"I didn't support every action of the United States. I tried to persuade them not to intervene militarily," Berlusconi said.

"But when I saw there was no way (to prevent it), I stood by the United States."

Berlusconi's statement came as a surprise because he has been a staunch ally of the US administration in the conflict and he is one of the few European leaders who has contributed troops to help rebuilding Iraq.

Berlusconi did press for a UN resolution before the war but had not said publicly before that he tried to talk Bush out of the conflict. He did not elaborate.

The Italian leader was in Brussels for a conference hosted by the European Employers' Association.

Berlusconi said his support for the United States was partly motivated out of gratitude to the Americans who saved Europe from Nazism and Communism over the past century.

He called on Europe not to forget these sacrifices, saying it was necessary to show "loyalty."

The Associated Press

[ValenB4]

Instead of loyalty, it's more likely he just wanted to get in good with the US, especially with France, Germany, and Russia in opposition. Berlusconi's too smart to have bought into Bush's nonsense. He thought a few Carabinieri would be safe doing humanitarian work and cooking spaghetti. But by being too cute, he got burned.

[Alberta's Child]

"I didn't support every action of the United States. I tried to persuade them not to intervene militarily," Berlusconi said . . . "But when I saw there was no way (to prevent it), I stood by the United States."

Berlusconi sounds like John Kerry and Joe Lieberman going through their pathetic attempts to explain how they are opposed to the war in Iraq even though they voted in favor of the resolution authorizing the president to use force.

[ValenB4]

LOL. So much for FR's esteem of the Italian Lion.

[sinkspur]

Berlusconi's too smart to have bought into Bush's nonsense.

That's nonsense.

Berlusconi did the right thing; now he's turned into a gutless coward, trying to weasel out of it.

He perpetuates the Italian stereotype, that of the tank, always in reverse.

[swheats]

Seems balanced to me. No one wants to rush into war and commit other people's lives and loved ones.

When there was no other options, he gave President Bush what he needed, the cover of one more member in the coalition to move forward.

Thank you Berlusconi.

[A Citizen Reporter]

"LOL. So much for FR's esteem of the Italian Lion."

What a noble purpose you serve here, sir.

[Alberta's Child]

Actually, Berlusconi's comments simply illustrate the difference between the U.S. republican-style government and a European parliamentary system. The difference between Bush and Berlusconi is that Bush will be facing re-election next year, while Berlusconi effectively faces "re-election" on a daily basis.

If the United States operated under the same system as Italy, we probably never would have waged war against Iraq in the first place.

[ValenB4]

There it is! The word weasel! While remembering "cowardly," you forgot to continue the stereotype by calling him "greasy". I guess from now on he'll be going on holiday with Chirac, who would be lauded as the second coming of Charlemagne had he said yes to Bush.

Heaven hath no fury like a FReeper betrayed.

[A Citizen Reporter]

"If the United States operated under the same system as Italy, we probably never would have waged war against Iraq in the first place."

If that is true, then tell me why the Democrat congresscritters were moaning and wailing about having to vote UP or DOWN on IRAQ prior to the November election last year?

[Hugin]

Seems to me backing an ally even when you disagree with their move is what loyalty is all about. It was extremely unpopular at home and may cost his party the next election. It would have been much easier to go along with the French and Germans.

[sinkspur]

you forgot to continue the stereotype by calling him "greasy".

Italian stereotypes work because Italians perpetuate them, in real life.

The word is not "greasy"; it's "oily."

[ValenB4]

Only if you are willing to subordinate your conscience to stupidity.

[ValenB4]

I defer to your judgment on racial and ethnic epithets. You seem to be quite an expert.

[Alberta's Child]

I don't understand your point. Under a parliamentary system the U.S. would have avoided going to war with Iraq for the same reason most U.S. troops are going to be coming home by the middle of next summer -- because a party in power cannot have soldiers killed halfway around the world on a daily basis during an election campaign. Under a parliamentary system "campaign season" lasts for 365 days every year.

[A Citizen Reporter]

Yes, oh he who tossed out the first "cooking spaghetti" epithet. You are a gem.

[sinkspur]

I defer to your judgment on racial and ethnic epithets.

You used the term "greasy."

I did not.

[ValenB4]

I am of Italian descent. Thanks to political correctness, it's not racism if you make fun of your own ethnic background. You are so five minutes ago.

[squidly]

Instead of loyalty, it's more likely he just wanted to get in good with the US

Is that not the same thing?

[A Citizen Reporter]

Then you are obtuse. There WAS a congressional election in 2002, in which the congress was forced to go on record prior to the election, knowing FULL WELL that the American public supported the action in IRAQ. The democrat congress things did NOT want have to go on record voting against this operation.

[GeronL]

what was that joke about Italians in WW2???