The Italian Prime Minister stated that the deadly attack on the Italian Carabinieri base in Iraq will not intimidate his country. Silvio Berlusconi said in a statement on Wednesday that no intimidation will disrupt Italy's decision to assist in the improvement of Iraq, the establishment of a self-reliant government, and the restoration of security and freedom there. Earlier, the President of Italy condemned the explosion, calling it a terrorist act against those fulfilling their duty to help the people of Iraq. However, an opposition party representative called for the withdrawal of about 2,300 Italian soldiers from Iraq. In the Vatican, Pope John Paul II condemned the explosion as a malicious attack on a peace mission. Italy was a staunch supporter of the war against Iraq. In Washington, the White House expressed condolences to the families of the victims and thanked Italy for its support of U.S. efforts in Iraq. British Prime Minister Tony Blair also expressed a similar view, stating that the threat of terrorism in Iraq is very serious. The President of the European Commission also extended condolences to the families of those killed in the attack on the Italian Carabinieri base in southern Iraq.
Italian Prime Minister Says No Intimidation Will Affect Italy's Decision to Help Iraq - 2003-11-12
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi affirmed that Italy will continue its support for Iraq despite a deadly attack on its Carabinieri base. The attack has sparked calls from opposition leaders for the withdrawal of Italian troops. This situation highlights the ongoing challenges and risks faced by coalition forces in Iraq.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
The Italian Prime Minister reaffirmed Italy's commitment to supporting Iraq following a deadly attack on an Italian military base, despite calls for troop withdrawal from opposition leaders.
- The attack targeted the Italian Carabinieri base in Iraq, resulting in casualties.
- Berlusconi's statement emphasized Italy's ongoing role in helping establish security and governance in Iraq.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The Iraq War began in 2003, with coalition forces led by the U.S. aiming to overthrow Saddam Hussein and establish a democratic government, facing significant resistance and violence.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%