help italian campaign against yet another US military base

[stephinrome]

See below an appeal from citizens' committees in the city of Vicenza, Italy, where the U.S. military is pushing for yet another base. The deal was sealed with the former Berlusconi government and local politicians without involving the residents nor city council. The new Prodi government is reconsidering the agreement. They will make their decision by the end of September.

Urgent: Please read the appeal and send your letters/statements of support of this campaign to the Italian Defense Ministry: [e-mail]. Please also send a copy of your message (either BCC or separate email) to [e-mail] , one of the local activists.

Stephanie
U.S. Citizens for Peace & Justice, Rome
http://www.peaceandjustice.it

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In the city of Vicenza, Italy, there are plans to build yet another U.S. military base.

In opposition to these plans, local residents have formed 6 committees and for the past 3 months have petitioned the Italian government to refuse the authorization.

The entire affair has been conducted in a disgraceful manner. The request was initiated by Vicenza Mayor Hullweck and City Council member Cicero, in cooperation with the previous Berlusconi government, without ever informing the citizens of Vicenza nor was it discussed in City Council (and has yet to be discussed!). In May 2006, news of the plans started to leak out and concerned citizens began to act.

The citizens of Vicenza are strongly opposed to the construction of the new base for the following reasons:

1) Militarization of the city. Vicenza is currently home to various bases and housing facilities for the U.S. military (Camp Ederle, the bases of Longare and Tormeno, a residential village and various depots and warehouses throughout the city) not to mention headquarters for the European Gendarmerie. All this in a city of 110,000 inhabitants. The construction of a new base would make the city of Vicenza the largest U.S. Military base in Europe. This is in contrast with the rest of Italy and Europe, where the U.S. military presence is diminishing.

2) Protection of our territory. The area in question for the construction of the base is a vast green area completely surrounded by the city. Some houses will be no more than 30 meters from the base! Currently, the area includes a small civilian airport, a flying club, and the only rugby fields in the city.

3) Urban impact. In total, approximately 600,000 cubic meters would be built, the equivalent of 1900 apartments of 100 m2 each, adding more construction to an already heavily developed city lacking green areas.

4) Social impact. The new base would accommodate 2000 additional soldiers along with their families as well as civilian employees of the base. This would bring in an additional 15,000 people to a city of 110,000 inhabitants!

5) Economic impact. Italian taxpayers cover 37% of the operating costs for U.S. military bases in Italy, amounting to hundreds of millions of Euro per year. Another base would increase this figure.

6) Security issues. The soldiers housed at the new base would be part of the 173rd Airborne Brigade (some of which are already lodged at Camp Ederle) and are currently stationed in Germany. The 173rd is an airborne rapid response force. They were the first to parachute into Iraq at the start of the war. The presence of these troops creates problems of security for the city; both as a possible target for terrorist attacks as well as problems associated with soldiers returning from war zones. In this regard, the city of Vicenza has already experienced problems with fights and brawls as well as cases of rape concerning soldiers returning from Iraq. (see http://tinyurl.com/rd5us)

7) Acoustic and environmental impact due to the military vehicles and aircraft used at the base.

We believe that the future of our city (one of the most productive in Italy) should be aimed at development of the local economy, employment and research, not towards further militarization.

The Italian government will make its decision by the end of September.

We ask that the government maintain coherence with the ideas illustrated in their electoral platform and have the courage to respond to the request with a clear and decisive NO

The construction of a new military base would be a grave defeat for the entire city, and, we believe, for Italy as well.

Il Coordinamento Comitati Cittadini
http://www.altravicenza.it