Plan to expand US base in Italy sparks row

[Robbien]

(ANSA) - Rome, September 22 - Premier Romano Prodi's government is under pressure to block plans to set up the biggest American military base outside the US on Italian territory .

The weekly magazine L'Espresso revealed the controversial project in its latest edition which hit newsstands on Friday . It said the administration of US President George W. Bush had won agreement from the previous Italian government led by Silvio Berlusconi to build the new base in the northern city of Vicenza .

Vicenza already hosts an American military base where 6,000 troops are stationed . This would be flanked by a supplementary base near Vicenza's airport which would represent the "nerve centre for any emergency war activities anywhere in the Middle East, Iraq and Afghanistan included", L'Espresso said .

It said more than $300 million had already been released for 2007 for the construction of new barracks and other buildings . The entire investment would amount to $1 billion with work due to be completed by 2010, the weekly said .

Several parties in Prodi's nine-way governing coalition immediately called on the premier to halt the project .

http://ansa.it/main/notizie/awnplus/english/news/2006-09-22_1224798.html

[RC]

1. We don't need this. Italy doesn't need this,

neither does the world.
It is way past time to rein in these war criminals in the administration.

[Eurobabe]

2. What for, war against Iran?

eom

[Vidar]

3. Keep us out, Italy.

[leesa]

4. Why do these countries allow the US to squat in their country?

Imagine the US having foreign bases inside our borders!

[RC]

5. Money.

The last I heard we were still paying most countries for our squatting rights. Plus all the money the base personal spend locally on leave.

Also most bases hire locals to work on the base.

[oblivious]

6. Prodi: "Today Iran enjoys a special status in regional and intl affairs."

Fiat sells a lot of cars in Iran, Italian petroleum companies are very active in Iran and Italy buys a lot of oil from Iran. At some point countries like Italy have to ask, which countries are more important to our economic future.

Ahmadinejad, Prodi discuss key regional, int'l issues

... In the meeting, the two sides laid emphasis on expansion of Tehran-Rome ties.

...Prodi said Italy "holds on to its stance that negotiation is the best way to settle the Iran nuclear issue and believes the trend of talks is positive."

He said that Tehran is a country with great influence in the international arena and there was no doubt it plays an effective and active role in the region. "Today Iran enjoys a special status in regional and international affairs."

The Italian prime minister voiced his country's eagerness to promote ties with Iran in all fields.
http://www.irna.ir/en/news/view/line-17/0609213777122805.htm