Italian Troops to Head for Iraq
(Source: Voice of America news issued July 25, 2003)
The Italian parliament agreed to send up to 3,000 soldiers to support American forces in Iraq in a sign of strengthening ties after Prime Minister Berlusconi’s visit to U.S. President Bush’s ranch this week.
When Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi hopped off a U.S. Marine Corps helicopter at George Bush’s Crawford Texas ranch early this week and was greeted warmly by a cowboy-booted U.S. President, nobody expected the visit to be just limited to an exchange of niceties.
As one of the few European leaders who placed himself squarely on the side of the U.S. in the tense run-up to the Iraq war, Berlusconi enjoys special status with Bush. Last week the Italian premier joined a select group of world leaders such as Britain’s Tony Blair and Spain’s Jose Maria Aznar (both of whom supported the U.S.-led war in Iraq) who have stayed at the U.S. president’s Crawford Texas ranch and the Camp David retreat in Maryland.
It was clear that hosting Berlusconi and giving him the red-carpet treatment was a chance for the White House to repay him by giving him a chance to show he has direct access to the world’s only superpower.
By: paulc - 14th August 2003 at 07:45
Now the italians are involved does this mean they will change sides halfway through ??
It is also a case of the pot calling the kettle black with Prodi saying Berlusconi is corrupt – these are the 2 people who head the largest EU governing bodies.
The old saying “absolute power corrupts absolutely” was never more appropriate with regard to these 2 people (and the EU in general)
By: Sauron - 14th August 2003 at 06:00
Well Berlusconi was elected fair and square and he may fit in better than you think. Look at some of the other notables
Joschka Fischer-former member of the radical left and one-time thug. Hates Israel.
Lionel Jospin-another radical communist in his younger days.
Giscard D’Estaing-a vain, diamond loving womanizer. Just the sort you want to write a political blueprint. He and Clinton would get along no doubt.
Jean-Claude Trichet- once charged with financial shady deals. Just the man to run the European Cental Bank.
Edith Cresson-charged with forgery and conflict of interest. Thinks english men are queers.
Neil Kinnock-now a Europen commissioner again. Once had to resign along with many others EU commissioners due to charges of fraud and corruption.
Romano Prodi-currently president of the European commission. Former Italian PM who has been under criminal investigation himself.
Sauron
By: ink - 14th August 2003 at 00:20
US Agent,
“At least their not FRENCH!”
For somebody how so ardently defends all things American I would expect you to have a better command of your own language.
As for the number of “Allies” America has – don’t be fooled, the people of these nations are still largely against the attack and occupation of Iraq, it just so happens that the US government is very lucky to have the politicians on their side.
By: US Agent - 13th August 2003 at 23:11
In addition to Italy & NZ, more…
US ALLIES offer assistance with security in Iraq
Voice of America July 16, 2003
A total of 3 Brigades.
The Bush administration has scored some success in recruiting other countries to help patrol Iraq. Poland will contribute 2,300 soldiers to a brigade that will also include units from Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary and Lithuania.
A second brigade will have 1,640 Ukrainians and the third 1,100 Spanish troops as well as units from Honduras, the Dominican Republic and El Salvador and Nicaragua.
:rolleyes:
By: US Agent - 13th August 2003 at 21:12
We can now add New Zealand to the list
😎
NZDF Deployment To Iraq
(Source: New Zealand Ministry of Defence issued Aug. 11, 2003)
Prime Minister Helen Clark and Defence Minister Mark Burton announced today that an engineering detachment of 61 New Zealand Defence Force personnel will be deployed in late September to work alongside the United Kingdom forces, and the forces of other countries led by the UK, which are currently engaged in humanitarian and reconstruction tasks in South-East Iraq.
“UN Security Council Resolution 1483 made it clear that the UN has a vital role to play in the post-war period. It also appealed to UN member states to assist the people of Iraq in their efforts to rebuild their country and to contribute to conditions of stability and security in Iraq,” Helen Clark said.
“The government has consistently said that New Zealand was prepared to provide humanitarian and reconstruction assistance at the end of the conflict, provided that there was appropriate multilateral cover.
“Resolution 1483 calls on those in a position to do so to provide assistance, and it is consistent with our obligations under the UN Charter that New Zealand should provide such assistance.
“Under Resolution 1483, we can make a useful contribution without in any way becoming an occupying power. The government is also pleased that New Zealand has the opportunity to operate once again alongside British forces while we engage in humanitarian and reconstruction work,” Helen Clark said.
Mark Burton said that NZDF engineers would work to repair and refurbish hospitals, health clinics, schools, police stations, law courts, and municipal and government buildings. In addition, they will assist in restoring electricity, and the rebuilding of bridges and water pipelines. Two NZDF staff officers will be stationed at the UK headquarters in Basra, and two staff officer will be sent to the UK Engineer Headquarters in Shaibah.
“As the current situation shows, there is an urgent need for the kind of civil reconstruction and support that New Zealand can offer,” Mark Burton said.
“Iraq is a challenging environment, but the NZDF is ideally suited to undertake this work, which is so vital to restoring normality for the Iraqi people.
“Our personnel have an international reputation for excellence. New Zealand’s calm, co-operative style has been enhanced by working alongside different forces in such diverse situations as Bosnia, Bougainville, Timor Leste, and most recently, our current deployment to the Solomon Islands.
“As is the case with all deployments, the situation will be closely monitored to ensure that conditions allow the NZDF to undertake the tasks for which they were deployed.”
The detachment will initially be deployed for six months, with an option of a second six-month rotation.
By: mongu - 29th July 2003 at 22:27
shudder!!
He is very, very corrupt. Even Romano Prodi think so, and he works for the bloody EU!!!!!
By: frankvw - 29th July 2003 at 21:15
I don’t think he did *that* 😀
By: US Agent - 29th July 2003 at 20:53
Wooooh, sounds like the European version of Bill Clinton. 😀
By: tenthije - 29th July 2003 at 20:43
blackmail
bribery
changing laws so he can not be prosecuted
business practices “a la Enron”
using state assets to get re-elected
if you give me a few hours I can add more, but I can’t really be bothered so I’ll wait for the others to add to the list :D;)
By: frankvw - 29th July 2003 at 20:41
Changed many laws to avoid trials, to avoid loosing some of his advert / tv companies, … He is using the state for his benefit.
By: US Agent - 29th July 2003 at 20:33
Besides insulting a German diplomat, what else has Berlusconi done? :confused:
By: Geforce - 29th July 2003 at 07:00
Berlusconi now unfortunatelly can add the title “Mr Europe” to his name. An embarresment to the whole continent. Brussels doesn’t like Berlusconi and Berlusconi doesn’t like Brussels.
By: mongu - 29th July 2003 at 00:25
Politics makes for strange bedfellows.
Berlusconi is a vile man and an embarrassment for Italy. And you Americans think Jacques Chirac is disreputable…
By: US Agent - 28th July 2003 at 23:27
At least their not FRENCH! 😉
By: frankvw - 28th July 2003 at 23:26
And I’m sure you will be delighted to know that his party is a neo-fascist one… Welcome in the free, democratic world of USAgent…
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July 28, 2003 at 11:09 pm