posted on Mar, 15 2005 @ 03:32 PM
Italian Premier Berlusconi has announced that Italy will commence its withdrawl of some 3,000 troops from Iraq in September this year. The news comes
amidst public outcry after the shooting of an Italian Special Agent by American soldiers. The pull out is conditional on whether Iraqi forces can
defend themselves.
story.news.yahoo.com
ROME - Premier Silvio Berlusconi, facing rising opposition to the war in Iraq and public outcry over the deadly U.S. shooting of an Italian agent in
Baghdad, announced Tuesday that Italy will start withdrawing its 3,000 troops from Iraq beginning in September.
While taping a state TV talk show to air later Tuesday, Berlusconi said, "In September we will begin a progressive reduction of the number of our
soldiers in Iraq."
Please visit the link provided for the complete story.
This really shouldnt come as a suprise as public opposition to the Iraq war in Italy was fervent to say the least. The shooting of Special Agent
Calipari was just the political push needed for Berlusconi to announce a withdrawal. Any US objections or criticism of the Italian pull out would be
muted due to the accidental shooting of Calipari.
The Italian decision is just the latest in a string of withdrawals from Iraq. The Ukraine will have withdrawn its 1,650 troops by October, Australia
and Briton are contemplating their options.
Related News Links:
news.bbc.co.uk
www.cnn.com
[edit on 15/3/05 by subz]
[edit on 15-3-2005 by Spectre]