US invites Italian PM to play special role in Mideast peace process: official

Xinhua News Agency ^ | June 03 2003

[knighthawk]

ROME, June 3 (Xinhuanet) -- US President George W. Bush has asked Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi to "play a special role" in the Mideast peace process when he takes over as duty president of the European Union next month, Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said Tuesday.

Speaking at the end of a NATO meeting in Madrid, Frattini said Bush wants Berlusconi to be the "fourth player" in the process along with the US, Israel and Palestinians.

The president believes that Italy can have an active role in "encouraging and promoting agreement between Palestinians and Israelis, thanks to the ties of friendship with both sides as wellas the US," added Frattini.

Nevertheless, Frattini cautioned against excessive optimism, saying, "it would be out of place to send out extremely triumphalistic messages like 'we've agreed on peace'.

[knighthawk]

Ping

[McGavin999]

HA! I never even thought about that. The Italian PM is going to be the president of the EU for the next 6 months. Talk about timing!

[McGavin999]

Look at this!

[facedown]

The president believes that Italy can have an active role in "encouraging and promoting agreement between Palestinians and Israelis, thanks to the ties of friendship with both sides as wellas the US," added Frattini.

This could be very interesting.

[ffusco]

I think the Italians , Palestinians and Isrealis all agree on one thing: always use extra virgin olive oil for best results.