Iraq invasion was grave error, says PM

smithdown · May 19, 2006

Prodi signals early end to Italian role in Iraq 'occupation'

· Invasion was grave error, says new prime minister

· 2,600 troops to pull out in consultation with allies

John Hooper in Rome and Suzanne Goldenberg in Washington

Friday May 19, 2006

The Guardian

Britain and the US were last night facing almost total isolation in Iraq after Italy's new prime minister, Romano Prodi, made it clear that he intended to pull out the third-biggest contingent in the military coalition at the earliest possible opportunity. Under Silvio Berlusconi, Italy was among the most enthusiastic supporters of the Bush-Blair line. But in his first policy speech since being sworn in on Wednesday, Mr Prodi was excoriating in his criticism of Anglo-American policy.

Unveiling his government's programme to the upper house of the Rome parliament, he caused uproar when he declared that the invasion of Iraq had been a "grave mistake" and branded the allied military presence an "occupation".

With some 2,600 troops on the ground, based at Nassiriya in the south, Italy's contingent in Iraq is the biggest after those of the US and Britain.

Rightwing senators whistled and jeered as Mr Prodi said: "We consider the war and the occupation of the country a grave mistake. It has not resolved - on the contrary, it has complicated - the security problem. In Iraq, terrorism has found a new base and new pretexts for terror attacks both inside and outside the country." The war, had "opened up a Pandora's box and risks causing a regional conflagration".

The departure of Italian troops from Iraq would further weaken a coalition that has been hostage to anti-war sentiment in Europe as well as financial constraints. Mr Berlusconi is only the most recent US ally in Iraq to be rejected by voters at home, continuing a tradition that began with the defeat of Spain's José María Aznar in 2004.

Ukraine withdrew all of its troops from Iraq at the end of last year, and Poland, which was once one of the largest military contributors, has also cut its contingent. Several other smaller forces have also been withdrawn.

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Italy's misgivings over its presence in Iraq are by no means confined to the left. Last year, they surged into the open after US troops shot dead an Italian intelligence officer, Nicola Calipari, as he escorted a freed civilian hostage to Baghdad airport.

Altogether, Italy's involvement in Iraq has cost the lives of 36 people - 29 soldiers and police, and seven civilians. The latest victims, an army officer and two Carabinieri, died in a bomb attack last month.

ere, obviously

John am Rhein · May 19, 2006

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