Posted on 03/05/2005 6:55:32 AM PST by billorites
ROME (Reuters) - The United States and its staunch Iraq war ally Italy face their worst falling out in years after U.S. troops killed an Italian secret service agent and wounded an Italian reporter.
The shooting in Iraq on Friday, as the reporter was being whisked to freedom after being held hostage for a month, was sure to fuel anti-war activists in Italy and put pressure on Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
Berlusconi, who defied widespread public opposition to the Iraq war and sent 3,000 troops, took the rare step of summoning U.S. ambassador Mel Sembler to his office.
He demanded the United States "leave no stone unturned" in investigating the incident. President Bush was quick to call Berlusconi and promise a full investigation.
The shooting was the worst di`lomatic incident between Italy and the United States since 1998, when a U.S. Marines jet flying recklessly low and fast cut a ski lift cable, killing 20 people.
U.S. troops at a checkpoint shot and killed agent Nicola Calipari and wounded journalist Giuliana Sgrena as they rushed to Baghdad airport.
The agent had helped free Sgrena a month after she had been kidnapped.
Is this the right headline? The reporter wasn't killed. She was wounded.
Is that Rueter's headline? The reporter was not killed. But I suppose it makes for larger impact so to hell with the truth.
That is the headline at the source. Reuters is trying to hype this story.
The headline on the story is just as you posted it. What monumental screw-up. I'm sure the editor will be fired...(coughing fit of laughter ensues).
Aside from the false headline the problem appears to be that the Italians were sneaking around and then refused to heed warnings to stop at a checkpoint.
I'm shocked! Just SHOCKED!
Our troops followed established procedure.
An Italian member of Secret Service (their Intelligence group, I believe) was killed, others including the Reporter were injured following the car crashing. She's fine. The car was racing at the checkpoint (headed to airport) and was flagged to slow down but didn't.
Me too! ;)
More wishful thinking on the part of Reuters.
http://mypetjawa.mu.nu/archives/070103.php
Note that the car was speeding toward a checkpoint where coalition forces attempted to signal them to slow down, then lit the car up attempting to damage the engine. There is also speculation that the dead man and the others who were injured were hurt in the subsequent crash and not actually hit by bullets. We'll have to wait and see.
Reuters is being more accurate then usual. Wounded is killed but killed is 1000's slaughtered.
I saved the article to HD, for evidence of media bias and anti-US Military.
Top of the hour news just stated that President Bush has already talked to the Italian PM, (called him from Air Force One) and said a full investigation will be conducted.
I agree with the others that running a checkpoint is the A #1 way to get yourself shot. Duh.
Yes I heard that the US troops did everything possible to tell the car to STOP, the car blasted through the checkpoint anyway. It could have been a car bomb for all they knew.
yes, but there was another reporter I believe in the same vehicle and he was killed. That's sad for sure and I'm glad the other reporter is OK. However, no one should speed through a check point...that's asking for trouble. The US Troops are NOT mindreaders!!!
Reuters would make Goebbels proud.
Oh, thanks. I hadn't realized there was ANOTHER reporter there.
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