April 15, 2004

Italy Closes Ranks Behind Berlusconi After the Killing of Italian Hostage in Iraq

Politicians and citizens closed ranks Thursday behind Premier Silvio Berlusconi's vow to stay the course in Iraq after the slaying of an Italian hostage there, and the government worked frantically to save three other Italian captives.

The horrifying news seemed to unite a country that is < i>traditionally bitterly divided in its politics and was largely opposed to war in Iraq. The reaction was somewhat similar to when 19 Italians were killed Nov. 12 in southern Iraq - Italy's worst single military loss since World War II.

"All of us must express a very firm condemnation and feel morally and civilly committed to do our part against terrorism," opposition leader Piero Fassino said Thursday, adding that withdrawing the troops would make Iraq "more out of control."
[Sounds like they're totally on board with us and with President Bush! Eccellente!--Jen]
[...]
Berlusconi made clear the government had no intention of withdrawing the 3,000 Italian troops in Iraq, the third-largest contingent after the United States and Britain.

"They have cut short a life. They have not damaged our values and our commitment to peace," Berlusconi said.
[...]
Al-Jazeera said it received a video showing the slaying [of the Italian hostage]. The tape was accompanied by a statement from a previously unknown group calling itself the Green Battalion, which threatened to "kill the three remaining Italian hostages one after the other, if their demands are not met," the network said.

The group demanded the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq, an apology from Berlusconi, and the release of clerics held in Iraq.
[They don't want much, do they?--J.T.]
[...]
The Italian troops were dispatched to Iraq to help with reconstruction.
[...]
Frattini recounted the contents of the tape, apparently described to him by the ambassador to Qatar, who watched the video and identified the victim.

"This boy, as the assassins were pointing the gun at him, tried to take off his hood and shouted: 'Now I'll show you how an Italian dies,'" Frattini said, adding, "He died as a hero."

Viva L'Italia!
Although it's been 450 years since my family called Italy home, it's wonderful to see this Italian courage and resolve!
I think that the rest of Europe learned a terrible lesson from the Madrid bombings last month and the subsequent disastrous election of the appeaser Zapatero which is that caving in to terrorists never pays, even in the short run.
After winning office, Zapatero immediately vowed to remove Spain's contingent from Iraq and then last week their police and security people foiled 2 more bomb threats.
Now, AQ has upped their demands, insisting that Spain's troops be out of Iraq in 90 days.
(Sadly, it seems that Al Queda has learned a few tricks, too; notice that they demanded the removal of American, not Italian, troops. Which means that we must be really getting to them! Yea!)
I feel real sadness that Signore Quattrocchi was murdered--Damn those jihadi scum!--but hopefully the other 3 Italians will be released, along with the other hostages in the face of this show of force and will.
Bravi, Italiani!