SGRENA’S CHICKENS COMING HOME TO ROOST
Looks like Italian communist journalist Guiliana Sgrena’s lies and distortions about the tragic incident that occurred at the American checkpoint in Iraq have had their desired effect. Prime Minister Berlusconi is announcing that Italian troops will leave Iraq in September:
Italy is to begin withdrawing its troops from Iraq in September 2005, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has said.
He told Rai state television the pullout would take place “in agreement with our allies”.
Italy has 3,000 troops in Iraq - the fourth largest foreign contingent.
Italian politics is notoriously unstable. In order to maintain his position, Berlusconi has done a masterful job of balancing his support for the United States in Iraq with addressing domestic concerns of his center-left coalition.
Sgrena comes along and basically upsets the apple cart:
“I spoke to Tony Blair about it, and public opinion in our countries is expecting this decision,” he told Rai.
He said the exact numbers would depend on the Iraqi government’s ability to deal with security.
The BBC’s Tamsin Smith in Rome says it is the first time Mr Berlusconi has suggested a timetable for withdrawal.
Local elections coming up next month may have had something to do with the announcement of the decision. Captain Ed thinks it may be something a little more sinister:
One wonders if this wasn’t a negotiated commitment between Italy and Giuliana Sgrena’s kidnappers. It certainly looks that way, or else it appears to be a reaction to American demands to stop paying ransoms to terrorists.
Not sure I agree that Berlusconi would acquiesce to a terrorist demand that pushes around the Italian military. But he may have added up the domestic political costs of maintaining forces in Iraq while realizing in any future hostage situation, he would be under enormous pressure from the US not to deal with the terrorists.
The left will have a hoot with this news, which begs the question…
Which side are they on?
It is pretty difficult to be angry with Berlusconi. He has really been a trooper despite his tightrope walk. In the end, he is forced to do what is required by the people of Italy.
I do pray that this was not part of the negotiated agreement with the kidnappers though.
Comment by King of Fools — 3/15/2005 @ 7:21 pm