Italy Ready to Play Major Part in Afghan Force

Reuters | 12/14/01

[al-andalus]

Friday December 14 1:59 PM ET
Italy Ready to Play Major Part in Afghan Force
E.U. Agrees to Create Peacekeeping Force in Afghanistan (Reuters)

ROME (Reuters) - Italy is ready to contribute up to 1,000 men for a planned multinational peacekeeping force for Afghanistan (news - web sites), Under-Secretary for Defense Salvatore Cicu said on Friday.

``(Our contribution) will certainly be significant -- in terms of numbers and quality,'' Cicu told reporters.

``Nothing has been decided yet, but our best men will certainly be made available.''

Britain has offered to lead the multinational force and is awaiting authorization from the United Nations (news - web sites) before pushing ahead with the mission.

France has already said it will contribute troops to the operation while Muslim nations such as Turkey and Jordan are also expected to take part.

Cicu said he expected the final force to comprise some 3,000 to 4,000 troops.

U.N. officials want the force to be on the ground by December 22 when a post-Taliban government takes office in Afghanistan, but it is highly unlikely that more than a handful of soldiers will arrive before January.

The force is expected to guard government buildings in Kabul at the start, replacing victorious Northern Alliance soldiers who currently occupy the capital.

Cicu said Italian troops would be ready to leave for Afghanistan with 24 to 48 hours notice.

[al-andalus]

You know the war's won when the Italians want in.

[vladog]

Let`s see now the UN said they were in charge. Nato is sending the troops. The EU thinks the Nato troops are theirs and they are in charge. Now Italy is sending troops. Next of course the Fumbling French will send the FRL. The only decent troops they have. Mix all of this with the nature of the N/A. Hmmmmm, I smell a FUBAR the media can have fun with for years.

[Paleo Conservative]

They should do the catering.

[al-andalus]

'They should do the catering'

Maybe Bin Laden will come?

[ffusco]

Dear ignorant person, Italy deployed 2700 troops, helicopter gunships,strike jets, an aircraft carrier, 2 frigates and a supply ship over a month ago.

[al-andalus]

'Dear ignorant person, Italy deployed 2700 troops, helicopter gunships,strike jets, an aircraft carrier, 2 frigates and a supply ship over a month ago.'

That explains it. No wonder the Taliban gave up so quickly.

Seriously, I meant the post as a joke. Scusi, mi e piaciuta Italia!