Italy's task force to leave for Iraq on week-long mission

Xinhua News Agency ^ | April 27 2003

[knighthawk]

ROME, April 26 (Xinhuanet) -- A small force of Italian troops, military police and environment and cultural experts will leave for Iraq on Sunday on a week-long mission, Italian Environment Minister Altero Matteoli said Saturday.

Matteoli, in Paris for an environment summit, said the task force would leave Rome at 5:00 Sunday.

The task force includes two Environment Ministry officials, two experts from the Cultural Heritage Ministry, a Foreign Ministry representative and diplomat Antonio Armellin, who is charge of overseeing Italian aid operations in Iraq.

"Our aim is to carry out an initial assessment of the situation focusing on water, waste and the state of the land to see how we can help in the reconstruction work," Matteoli said.

"There could be interesting opportunities for Italian business. We can offer our technology and experience in rebuilding the country's infrastructure," he said.

Matteoli said his ministry was ready to provide funding of 1.3 million euros for environment projects in post-war Iraq, including improving water facilities and supplies and cleaning up the land.

Matteoli also said the task force would meet with US administrators to discuss Iraqi environmental and reconstruction issues.

On April 15, parliament gave the green light to a humanitarian mission for post-war Iraq.

A 2,500 or 3,000-strong troops and military police force will be sent to the country to help keep order and assist with emergency food and medical aid.

Italian troops are expected to be deployed for the most part in southern Iraq, where Italian minesweepers will also be operating, while members of the Carabiniere corps will be sent to Baghdad for policing duties.

[knighthawk]

Ping

[tuckrdout]

Italy has been a wonderful friend in all of this. I will never forget the stirring words of their Prime Minister...(although, you know what? I don't remember his name, or what the name of his position is....maybe I won't remember his stirring words after all!....)

[tiamat]

When the time comes we need to remember to do something nice for the italians.....

They don't have a lot to throw, but they have given what they can.

Tia

[knighthawk]

Berlusconi: 'Italy ready to help in Iraq war'
Italian Premier Berlusconi to Visit Bush in D.C.
Italy Would Contribute Troops and Hardware to Iraq War: PM Berlusconi

[tuckrdout]

BERLUSCONI! A PREMIER!

Hey, thanks!

[xJones]

Definitely we need to remember the Italians. After having been backstabbed by others, the Italians came shining through for us as best they could.