Newsgroup: it.politica.internazionale
Titolo: Berlusconi's U.S. relationship becomes less special (Reuters)

Iniziano le valutazioni politiche, come avevo facilmente previsto.
Saluti ai vigili urbani del NG.
Am.
 Berlusconi's U.S. relationship becomes less special
 
 By Phil Stewart  1 hour, 19 minutes ago
ROME (Reuters) - Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, long proud of 
having friends in high places, has seen the limitations of his rapport 
with Washington after a public falling-out over the killing of an 
Italian agent in Iraq.
With the United States refusing to accept any blame, Italy issued a 
52-page report on Monday admonishing U.S. roadblock procedures and 
inexperienced, stressed U.S. soldiers who shot intelligence agent Nicola 
Calipari last March.
While showing Berlusconi is willing to stand up to the world superpower, 
the episode nonetheless tarnishes his cherished claims to a cozy 
friendship with Washington and will embolden critics of his unpopular 
decision to send troops to Iraq.
"Berlusconi was trumpeting his special relationship with President Bush 
and the United States, and gets a slap in the face," said Jason Walston, 
director of international relations at the American University of Rome.
"It's not a body-blow, but it is a weapon that will be used against 
Berlusconi ... You sacrifice our hero, and you don't even get an apology 
when they kill him," he told Reuters.
Berlusconi, who faces a general election next year, will address 
parliament on Thursday about the incident and is likely to insist that 
U.S.-Italian ties remain strong.
His decision to start bringing troops home from Iraq in September is 
also not expected to be brought forward.
But he will not be allowed to forget that on the night Calipari died, he 
summoned U.S. ambassador Mel Sembler and told him that someone had to 
"take responsibility" for the killing.
"We have lost one of our best men and we cannot afford to be either 
intransigent or accommodating," Italian Culture Minister Rocco 
Buttiglione said on Tuesday.
BUMP IN THE ROAD
Secretary State Condoleezza Rice said in a telephone call on Tuesday 
with her Italian counterpart, Foreign Minister Gianfranco Fini, that she 
was "sorry" the two countries could not agree on the shooting, Italy's 
foreign ministry said.
But officials have been at pains to describe ties as strong and 
unchanging despite the death of Calipari, who was shot as he was 
escorting a newly freed Italian hostage to Baghdad airport. "This is a 
60-year relationship. There are bumps along the road," Sembler told 
reporters on Monday.
Since his election in 2001, Berlusconi ordered a sea-change in Italian 
foreign policy -- shifting focus away from "Old Europe" allies France 
and Germany and toward a close transatlantic alliance with the United 
States and Britain.
Bush has repeatedly thanked Berlusconi for his support and the two men 
have held numerous, back-slapping meetings.
However, the Italian leader was certainly overly optimistic if he 
thought this warm personal relationship would persuade the U.S. military 
to take the wrap for the "friendly fire" killing. Previous cases have 
underlined the Pentagon's reluctance to bow to outside pressure in 
internal inquiries.
In 1998, a U.S. Marines jet -- flying recklessly low -- cut an Italian 
ski lift cable, killing 20 people. To the outrage of many Italians, the 
pilot was later cleared of manslaughter.
In the Iraq incident, the U.S. exonerated its soldiers of blame. For 
many ordinary Italians, the message was clear.
"I think one of the sides lied, knowing that they are lying. The 
Italians seem to have acted in good faith. The Americans - I am not 
sure," said Roman Giorgio Maggi, on his way to work.
 The Italian government has been careful to avoid such outright 
accusations, and some of Berlusconi's supporters think the time has come 
to put a stop to the row.
 One of the murkiest aspects of the incident is whether Italy paid a 
ransom to win the hostage's release -- something the United States 
firmly opposes. Rome has denied money was handed over, but rumors 
continue to circulate.
 "If I were Berlusconi, I would be very prudent," said Giuliano Ferrara, 
an influential conservative newspaper editor.
 "Otherwise, Washington will continue to leak news that will end up 
being embarrassing."

 being embarrassing."
Detto in parole semplici, Giuliano Ferrara pensa che Berlusconi sia
ricattato dagli americani. Non c'è male, per essere una amicizia.
-- 
Luca Logi - Firenze - Italy        e-mail: 
ll...@dada.it

 ricattato dagli americani. Non c'è male, per essere una amicizia.
Ma era evidente che non c'era gioco. Si vedono le carte e B. non c'ha 
niente in mano. Ora paghi: davanti al parlamento. Che non si invochi 
l'arco costituzionale antiamericano. Sarebbe solo fargli un regalo.
Am.

>>
Ferrara un influente editore di giornale ?
Ma quanti sono a leggere il Foglio,oltre  quelli che lo scrivono ?

 ha scritto nel messaggio 
news:3jOde.97732$zZ1.2...@twister1.libero.it...

ma sono obbligati a leggerlo? 

Pomero ha scritto:

Spero di si,una giusta punizione per quello che scrivono :)

 Spero di si,una giusta punizione per quello che scrivono :)
Be' se qualcuno dice pane al pane, mentre tutti stanno spaventati o con 
le carte coperte, meglio starlo a  sentire...
Am.

amalric ha scritto:

FerraRA DICE PANE AL PANE ?
pER ME DICE ******  su ******

 pER ME DICE ******  su ******
Non in questo caso. Chi ha notato che F.  intendeva dire che gli 
americani stavano ricattando il Berlusca?
Be' gli annunci sul satellite e i 10 milioni di dollari di riscatto mi 
sembra che vadano proprio in questa direzione.
Ma c'e' chi non ci arriva...
Am.