Posted on 09/16/2001 2:34:16 PM PDT by Arkinsaw
Italian defence minister rules out Italian troop role
ROME, Sept 16 (AFP) -
Italian Defense Minister Antonio Martino on Sunday said Italian troops would not take part in any US retaliation after the terror attacks and that use of the term "war" was inappropriate.
"The term 'war' is inappropriate. It is not a conflict between states and Italian troops will not go anywhere," Martino told the RAI television station.
"I feel I am in a position to categorically exclude calling on the army," he said.
The defence minister warned that "nobody had better strike randomly," adding that 100,000 Italian soldiers were involved in various peacekeeping missions abroad.
He said the US would certainly take military action once the perpetrators of the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and Pentagon had been identified, and only then "will we see what we are called upon to do."
Asked about Saudi-born extremist Osama bin Laden's role in the attacks, Martino said "the idea that one man is behind this tragedy is misguided."
In an interview with the daily Il Messaggero published Sunday, Martino urged the US not to act alone in the event of a military operation.
"As was the case during the Gulf War, the idea that the United States should not act alone but should build a coalition and seek approval from the United Nations is gaining ground."
Martino said he favoured the build-up of a coalition prior to any military riposte "for the obvious reasons that by doing so the operation would be successful."
Asked about Saudi-born extremist Osama bin Laden's role in the attacks, Martino said "the idea that one man is behind this tragedy is misguided."
So which one is it idiot? Is it one guy or is it state-sponsored? Can't have it both ways, can we?
"Did they surrender yet?"
FMCDH
Right. It's just planes and bombs and bullets and thousands of people getting killed and stuff.
They deserve to be ignored about their next (and ongoing) disaster.
FMCDH
However this also illustrates why it is important that the Administration seeks a Declaration of War rather than the 21st Century version of the Tonkin Gulf resolution that Congress approved.
Mourn the Republic
1776-2001</font color=purple>
Probably afraid that on hearing the word, Italian troops would surrender en masse.
Bzzzz... WRONG ANSWER ITALY!
What we'll probably end up with are Italian combat troops and German food.
FACT: VP Cheney said Bin Laden's involvement is a certainty.
FACT: The Afghans have refused to give Bin Laden up, vowed to protect him, and threatened to take action against the US.
Sounds like a conflict between states to me.
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