U.S.-Italy Relations Chilled by Killing of Agent
ROME (Reuters) - The United States and its staunch Iraq war ally Italy face their worst falling out in years after U.S. troops killed an Italian secret service agent and wounded an Italian reporter.
The shooting in Iraq on Friday, as the reporter was being whisked to freedom after being held hostage for a month, was sure to fuel anti-war activists in Italy and put pressure on Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
Berlusconi, who defied widespread public opposition to the Iraq war and sent 3,000 troops, took the rare step of summoning U.S. ambassador Mel Sembler to his office.
He demanded the United States "leave no stone unturned" in investigating the incident. President Bush was quick to call Berlusconi and promise a full investigation.
The shooting was the worst diplomatic incident between Italy and the United States since 1998, when a U.S. Marines jet flying recklessly low and fast cut a ski lift cable, killing 20 people.
I think Reuters is engaging in some scandal mongering here. The fact that U.S. soldiers mistakenly fired upon the Italians when their car rushed toward a checkpoint is unfortunate. The matter should, and will be, investigated to the fullest extent so that the Italians can get answers to their questions.
But to imply that Italian/U.S. relations will suffer some kind of set back based on this tragic but relatively minor event is rather silly. To attempt to suggest that relations are cooling so soon after the event, the day after no less, is just plain crazy.
Berlusconi has every right to demand questions from America, and America will provide them. After that, this matter will be so much water under the bridge.