Italy's Prodi Calls Iraq Occupation a 'Grave Error'

[Kellanved]

Another U.S. ally in the war in Iraq distanced itself from the U.S.- led effort today when Italy's new prime minister, Romano Prodi, called the U.S.-led invasion and occupation a "grave error" and said he would propose a withdrawal of Italian troops.

"We consider the war in Iraq and the occupation of the country a grave error," Prodi told the upper house of parliament, wire services reported. "It has not resolved, but complicated the situation of security," he said.

Italy has about 3,000 troops in Iraq in peacekeeping roles. They are already due to be withdrawn in groups before the end of the year. Prodi did not set forth a timetable for withdrawal and it was unclear whether or not he would speed up the departure.

"It is the intention of this government to propose to parliament the return of our troops from Iraq," Prodi said.
...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/18/AR2006051800451.html

[sweetheart]

1. Prodi's lovely blast of fresh air

...after that tiresome smiling cheshire-cat bushian liar.

"It has not resolved, but complicated the situation of security," - the truth

[life_long_dem]

2. Why should we believe him?

Isn't Prodi in charge of Italy's D.H.S.? Venice is flooding, and he won't acknowledge that.

Sarcasm only.......

[Judi Lynn]

3. Italian Leader Calls Iraq Occupation 'Grave Error'

Italian Leader Calls Iraq Occupation 'Grave Error'

By Fred Barbash
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, May 18, 2006; 10:30 AM

Another U.S. ally in the war in Iraq distanced itself from the U.S.- led effort today when Italy's new prime minister, Romano Prodi, called the invasion and occupation a "grave error" and said he would propose a withdrawal of Italian troops.

"We consider the war in Iraq and the occupation of the country a grave error," Prodi told the upper house of Parliament, wire services reported. "It has not resolved, but complicated the situation of security." Italy has about 3,000 troops in Iraq in peacekeeping roles. They are already due to be withdrawn in groups before the end of the year. Prodi did not set forth a timetable for withdrawal and it was unclear whether he would speed up the departure.

"It is the intention of this government to propose to Parliament the return of our troops from Iraq," Prodi said.
(snip)

Bush's best friends from the start of the Iraq war in 2003 are dropping off one after the other. The party of Spain's prime minister, Jose Maria Aznar, was ousted in 2004 by voters upset in part by troop deployments in Iraq. The prime minister of Portugal, who stood next to Bush days before the invasion, resigned months later for another job.
The leaders of Poland and Ukraine, which had sizable units in Iraq, were both replaced in elections by successors who pulled out some or all troops. Japan's prime minister, Junichiro Koizumi, often cited by Bush in stump speeches as one of his best friends abroad, plans to step down in September. And even British Prime Minister Tony Blair, mired in Iraq-related controversies, appears poised to resign next year.

Honduras, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic originally had forces in Iraq but withdrew them.
(snip/...)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/18/AR2006051800451.html

[Judi Lynn]

4. ABC News: Prodi: War in Iraq Was 'Grave' Mistake

Prodi: War in Iraq Was 'Grave' Mistake
New Italian Prime Minister Prodi Says War in Iraq Was a Grave Mistake

ROME May 18, 2006 (AP)— Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi said Thursday the war in Iraq was a "grave" mistake, but said Italy would remain on the front lines in the war against terror.

"We consider the war and occupation in Iraq a grave error that hasn't solved but has complicated the problem of security," Prodi said in his first address to the Senate as prime minister. "Terrorism has found a new base and new excuses for internal and external terrorist action."

Prodi said his government would participate in anti-terror operations if they are sanctioned by international organizations, such as the United Nations.

"We are convinced participants in the war against terrorism, even militarily, when it is legitimized by an international organization to which we belong."
(snip/...)

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=1975938

[acmavm]

5. And the dripping sounds you hear are from the explosion

of the heads of bush** and berlusconi.

[Moderator]

6. Duplicate

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2292231

[still_one]

7. DUH

[Tight_rope]

8. Hell ...Italy help create this fucking mess...So they should just shut-up!

[VegasWolf]

9. At least THEY booted the conspirators out of office. We just reelect them

[glitch]

10. Or allow the machines to...too stupid to govern ourselves, apparently.nt

[Henny Penny]

11. Yeah...less of that truth nonsense!

We apologise for that breakdown in transmission... and now we would like to return you to our scheduled broadcast with UK Secretary of State for Defence...Mr Des Browne...

Give it up please... for Mr. Browne.

:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2292147

:puke:

[rocktivity]

12. What's Italian for "Well, put your politics where your mouth is

and pull your troops out NOW!!!"

:headbang:
rocknation

[Acadia Blue]

13. Corporatists, Berlisconi, Bush, and Blair, and now being called on

their joint actions. Hope the truth comes out.

[struggle4progress]

14. kick

:kick:

[Scurrilous]

15. Italy's Prodi wins confidence vote

Friday 19 May 2006

<snip>

"Romano Prodi, Italy's new prime minister, has won a confidence vote in the senate, securing its approval for his government.

Prodi won by 165 votes to 155. All seven of Italy's unelected senators for life voted "yes" in Prodi's support.

"It couldn't have gone better," Prodi said after winning the vote on Friday.

The vote was the first, and more difficult, of two parliamentary confidence votes which are required before Prodi's government can start work.

Prodi must seek a second vote of confidence next week from the lower house of parliament, where his coalition holds a comfortable majority."


http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/8E7F9420-B57F-46C8-8E54-4B60C727E2EE.htm