Reactions
The incident prompted criticism from Italian government officials:
- The Italian Prime Minister at the time, Silvio Berlusconi, said: "I believe we must have an explanation for such a serious incident, for which someone must take the responsibility." He has long been a close ally of George W. Bush. Having summoned the US ambassador to Italy, he declared "It is a pity. This was a joyful moment which made all our compatriots happy, which has been transformed into profound pain by the death of a person who behaved so bravely."
- Roberto Calderoli, the Italian Minister of Reforms, stated that several incidents had already occurred in the liberation of Giuliana Sgrena, the shooting being only the last of them.
- Mirko Tremaglia, Italian undersecretary for Foreign Affairs, said to the Italian press agency ANSA that "The Americans must be firmly reminded to respect human and civil rules."
- Gianni Alemanno, the minister of Agriculture, said that "We want the culprits to be punished, and we demand an explanation from the Americans." He added "We are faithful allies, but we must not let anyone think that we are subordinates."
- Carlo Giovanardi, Minister for the Relations with the Parliament, said that he did not believe one word of the version presented by the US Army.
In response, White House press secretary Scott McClellan offered condolences stating that "we regret the loss of life" and added that "details are still unclear", and that an investigation would be conducted.
Leading figures of the Italian left-wing opposition renewed criticism of Italy's participation in the occupation of Iraq, also with support from some members of the right-wing ruling coalition:
- Romano Prodi, future Prime Minister and at the time leader of Italy's opposition coalition, stated "57 millions Italians united in waiting for Giuliana Sgrena's liberation have a right to know what happened."
- Fausto Bertinotti, leader of the Communist Refoundation Party, said that "After the extremely grave fact of Nicola Calipari's death, pulling troops out of Iraq is an act of public sanity."
- Piero Fassino, leader of the Democrats of the Left, said that "It's not fate that pulls the trigger of a machine gun."
- Raffaele Costa, member of Parliament in Forza Italia, said on March 6 that the Parliament, due to debate an extension to the mission on March 14, should set a clear date for withdrawal.
Tens of thousands of Italian citizens paid their respects to Calipari before the state funeral on March 8, 2005, at Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri in Rome.
The resulting strain on the political relationship between Italy and the United States is the most significant since the Cavalese cable car disaster of 1998. The case, which saw a hostage being released unharmed by Iraqi kidnappers and almost killed by American troops, strengthened the already widespread opposition to the presence of Italian troops in Iraq.
Read more about this topic: Rescue Of Giuliana Sgrena
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