May 05, 2005

Italy Won't Withdraw Troops in Iraq

Premier Silvio Berlusconi said Thursday that he disagreed with some of the U.S. military's conclusions into the March shooting death of an Italian agent in Baghdad, but he said those differences won't affect Italy's friendship with Washington or its deployment of troops in Iraq.
[...]
"We must insist in our commitment and assist the forces of a free and democratic new Iraq,'' Berlusconi told lawmakers.

"Our friendship with the United States has overcome more difficult tests than this one,'' said the premier, a staunch ally of President Bush.

I think that Berlusconi knows our military didn't shoot at those journos on purpose, but he feels obliged to take his countrymens' part, although he knows only too well what liars Communists like Sgrena can be.
Glad the Italians seemed to have calmed down enough to allow him to make this commitment.
And the Danes have promised to keep soldiers in Iraq, also, at least until Feb. 1, 2006.
Thank you, loyal allies!