Posted on 03/09/2005 12:29:50 PM PST by West Coast Conservative
Italy's Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi insisted on "maximum collaboration" from the United States in a joint probe into the friendly fire killing of an Italian agent in Iraq, but played down any notion of a rift between the allies.
"We have a duty to demand the maximum collaboration to obtain the truth and determine who is responsible," Berlusconi said in an address to the senate on the killing.
The overall tenor of Berlusconi's address was conciliatory towards Italy's key ally, however, following Washington's decision to draw some of the sting from a burgeoning diplomatic spat by inviting Rome to participate in a joint inquiry.
Berlusconi, one of US President George W. Bush's staunchest European allies, said that in allowing an Italian military officer and a diplomat to sit on the joint commission, Washington had shown it had no intention of hiding the truth.
"I have already expressed my satisfaction over this decision, which demonstrates that our allies have no intention of keeping us from the truth."
The prime minister characterized Washington's decision as being "of the greatest importance", adding that Italy's "attitude of firmness" in the aftermath of the shooting, had been vindicated.
"I believe that this attitude of firmness was the only one that the Italian government should and could adopt," he said.
But Berlusconi also hinted that for the first time since the shooting last Friday, Rome may be prepared to recognize some responsibility for the incident.
"Only a frank and reciprocal admission of eventual responsibilities can enable us to close an incident from which we are all suffering."
Italy and the United States have been embroiled in a diplomatic spat since the killing by US troops last Friday of its top intelligence officer in Iraq, Nicola Calipari, as he escorted released hostage Giuliana Sgrena to Baghdad airport.
Sgrena, released unharmed by her kidnappers, was wounded in the shoulder.
On Tuesday, Foreign Minister Gianfranco Fini dismissed Washington's view that a lack of communication was responsible for Calipari's death, and demanded that the United States "identify and punish" those responsible for the shooting.
An internal Pentagon memo published by US media on Tuesday said the Italians had failed to make arrangements for their safe passage to the airport, were travelling at high speed and failed to respond to "numerous warnings".
Berlusconi also signalled a change in Italy's policy in Iraq, where it has come under fire from its allies for negotiating with kidnap gangs amid unconfirmed rumours that it has paid millions of euros in ransom payments.
"The Italian government is able to guarantee the security in Iraq only of those, humanitarian organisations in the first instance, who operate in close collaboration and under the protection of our military contingent," the prime minister said.
"It is not possible to do otherwise for those who venture, even for the most noble reasons, into other zones of Iraq where there is still a high terrorist presence and where there is a major risk of attack and kidnappings."
The shooting incident has fanned anti-American sentiment in Italy and renewed calls for a withdrawal of Italy's 3,000-strong military contingent from Iraq.
I'm about sick of the posturing of these wishy-washy Italians. If they can't trust that we wouldn't fire on their mangy Communist hack, they don't think much of our integrity. If I were the President, I'd send the Italian soldiers home and tell them we'll do the job in Iraq without them so they can guard Communist women journalists. And of course, I'd bar any Italian media from the war zone.
This investigation will show the Italians that the reporter was lying about her version of events that happened.
Any credible probe into this event should include the question of whether a ransom was paid or not.
We've already said we will cooperate in the investigation. You should too... first question: Who paid for her release?
Italy wants us cooperate maximally, just like they did with the terrorists when they gave them SIX MILLION DOLLARS to ransom a commie!
How many dozens of families will be crying because their loved ones were murdered with the 6 million dollars Italy gave? Which is more of a scandal, the USA accidentally killing someone who didn't respect a checkpoint, or Italy intentionally funding terrorists to slaughter dozens of people?
Should the USA expect this kind of Italian cooperation with terrorists in future?
Considering she works for a communist news paper I wouldn't be surprised if she set this up in order to funnel ransom money to the terrorists in Iraq.
This came out of the PM's own pocket. Why?
The wishy washy italians and the stupid commie journalists appearently do not realize that it is a COMBAT ZONE! Combat Zones tend to be deadly for anyone entering them. It is standard procedure to open fire when any car is not following the soldier's instructions TO THE LETTER. Especially cars that drive 60+ Miles Per Hour right at the checkpoint and showing no intention of stopping.
"Only a frank and reciprocal admission of eventual responsibilities can enable us to close an incident from which we are all suffering."
He, along with much of the Italian press and citizenry, is beginning to see the Communist reporter's story unraveling (especially after the photos of the relatively undamaged car that she claimed was "destroyed" in a "rain of fire"). I'm actually looking forward to this investigation. I think much of the blame will be shown to be with the Italians.
Thassa right, Mr. Italian PM! Your people are at fault since you didn't coordinate your intel activities and your ransom payment with others to rescue your communist reporter who hates the US. Your people screwed up and now you want to blame us. Forget it, a**hole!
Nobody knows more how painful this war more than the families of the 1500 U.S. patriots killed. Although sad to have a "journalist" killed over there, let's not lose our perspective, Jerry. Let's finish the damned mission so we can get our brave men and women home. That Bee-yotch was doing everything she could to drag out the mission. And I can guaran-damn-tee that she would be dead if she were actually targeted.
<< Berlusconi insisted on "maximum collaboration" from the United States in a joint probe into the [Death of an] Italian [Ransomer] in Iraq ...
"We have a duty to .... determine who is responsible," Berlusconi said .... >>
Dear Berlusconi
Your ransomer and his ransomed communist agitator and their driver, were, in the words of the communist, driving so fast they were laughing themselves stupid that you might have ransomed your communist agitator only to have her, on her way to the airport, commit suicide by automobile accident!
Well, Hell! Heck! Darn it! -- and, What-a you know!
In that frame of "mind" and at that pace they all attempted to run a military check-point on Iraq's most dangerous road, in a war zone!
A war zone made the more dangerous by the hatred-driven and insane anti-Americanism of your ransomed communist agitator and he who ransomed her.
Instant Khama!
And now you have the Truth, the whole Truth -- and nothing but the Truth!
Why isn't Italy giving 6 million dollars to terrorists far more of a scandal than this accidental killing? Won't a huge number of innocent people die because of Italy's terrorist funding? Seems to me Italy should be the one apologizing!
Who will come out smelling bad on this one?
1) PM Berlusconi
Contributed to death of Italian agent by not coordinating with Iraqis the means of recovery of Sgrena
2) Giuliana Sgrena
Did she fake kidnapping result in death of agent?
3) The driver
Driving resulted in death of Italian agent
You are right on the money. It seems like every day our marines, troopers and other military personnel are getting their arms and legs blown off in the fight against terrorists. Now, is it really asking Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi too much not to give ransom money to terrorists. This "blood" money provides them the opportunity to purchase more bombs to kill more of our fighting men and women? Hey, maximum cooperation -- right on. However, how about the Italians start with the "basics," like not aiding the enemy.
I appreciate the support the Prime Minister has given Bush in the past and the uphill fight he has in his own country, but he is starting to push a little too far. Show some "Blair" backbone, Silvio. JMHO
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