Posted on 05/30/2004 8:06:40 PM PDT by FairOpinion
ROME (Reuters) - President Bush (news - web sites) is often misunderstood by those who do not know him personally and are unaware of his sensitive side, Italy's Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said in a television interview on Sunday.
"He's a normal man, absolutely open to everyone's feelings. He's a family man, a husband, a father of two children who he loves very much. He's someone absolutely like us," Berlusconi, who revels in the role as Bush's closest European ally behind British prime minister Tony Blair (news - web sites), told RAI3's Telecamere.
"He has very deep feelings, especially for the U.S. victims (in Iraq (news - web sites)) ... his pain is deep."
Ahead of Bush's visit to Italy next Friday, which some opponents of the Iraq war have vowed to disrupt, Berlusconi defended U.S. pre-emptive military action in the Middle East.
"The West isn't the aggressor, we must always remember this," Berlusconi said in an interview recorded on Saturday, before the hostage drama in Saudi Arabia in which an Italian cook was killed.
"On the contrary, we are defending ourselves and trying to root out terrorists from their hideouts. That's what happened in Afghanistan (news - web sites) and that is what Bush has said is the case in Iraq."
Berlusconi has rejected mounting calls from opposition leaders to withdraw Italy's 2,700 troops in Iraq and is sticking to a firmly pro-U.S. line two weeks ahead of European and local elections which will be an important test of his popularity.
Berlusconi dismissed concerns about the failure to find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, saying the former regime of Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) could easily have destroyed or exported them and, in any case, the arrest of Saddam was justification enough.
"The real weapon of mass destruction in Iraq was Saddam Hussein -- and he was found."
Berlusconi dismissed concerns about the failure to find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, saying the former regime of Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) could easily have destroyed or exported them and, in any case, the arrest of Saddam was justification enough.
"The real weapon of mass destruction in Iraq was Saddam Hussein -- and he was found."
Got to love Berlusconi!
It'a great to have a few leaders like him, Blair and Australia's Howard supporting us, who are not afraid to speak out.
fyi :^)
I may never be able to insult Italian military valor again.
It's awfully nice to hear some kind words for our President for a change, as well as such strong words of support from Europe....and via Reuters no less!
Has anyone checked the temperature in Hades lately? Getting chilly down there?
:-)
GO DUBYA 2004!!
bmp
I had the honor of meeting GWB when I volunteered for his 2000 campaign. Had a pic taken with him too. He's nice but not smarmy and not phony either.
Bless him for these quotes. No nuance, just an honest opinion of GWB. Bump.
Leave John Kerry out of this.
Kerry is running around telling everyone who'll listen that Bush is harming the country with his go-it-alone, cowboy style. To Kerry, no one outside of American borders is interested or willing to help us in our fight. In this article, Berlusconi makes Kerry's stance seem ridiculous. But then again, Kerry may not want to acknowledge that people such as Berlusconi exist.
I really wish the Coalition and its leaders would publicize more the discovery of Sarin gas & mustard gas shells.
Shout it out from the rooftops!!!
In case anyone feels like sending a big warm American THANK YOU! letter to an English-speaking representative of the Government of Italy, here is the Contact page for Italy's embassy to the United States:
http://www.italyemb.org/Contact%20us.htm
Viva Italia!
<<< setting out a big plate of fresh Cannoli for everyone :-)
Thanks.
Viva Berlusconi!
We will remember who our real friends are.
If not for the socialists shicken chits, he'd still be in power.
Absolutely. Aznar is a true friend also.
And lesser known, but I have heard some of the E. European leaders speak out in strong support of the US, including the Lady President of Estonia, I think.
I said they spoke out in support -- but they didn't just speak, they have sent troops to fight with us, because they also understand, that freedom in the world is at stake.
Grazie!
BUMP! I'M GOING TO BUY MORE PRODUCTS FROM ITALY!
Just booked my vacation to Italy this summer. I will drive from Venice to the Amalfi Coast.
Memo to al Queda vermin: Freep you and the camel you rode in on.
The Baltic States, all, are our allies for they know the consequences of oppression and what it truly takes to overcome it. A Band of Brothers, we are.
I wish we have more leaders like him.
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