Summary: November 12, 2003: Statements regarding the terrorist attack on the Italian Carabinieri Base in Nassiriya, Iraq
President of the Republic Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, upon hearing the news from General Commander of the carabinieri corps General Guido Bellini, of the terrorist attack on the Italian carabinieri base in Nassiriya, Iraq, issued the following statement: "My first thoughts go out to the families of the carabinieri killed in this despicable act of terrorism. I am near them in their pain. I extend my complete solidarity to the Carabinieri Corps. These are soldiers who have fallen while carrying out
their duties, helping the Iraqi people restore peace, order and security. Our carabinieri, our Armed Forces are in Iraq on Parliamentary mandate, and all of Italy gathers round them in support in this moment of harsh trial. It is with a very heavy heart that I leave for the United States, where I will be meeting with President Bush and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, conscious of representing a strong and united country. We will continue to play our role, along with our allies and with the
United Nations, in the fight against international terrorism".
Acting President of the Republic Marcello Pera has sent Minister for the Defence Antonio Martino a message in which he expresses "feelings of profound and heart-felt solidarity in this moment of pain for this hateful attack that has provoked so many victims among the Italian military". Pera continues: "The deaths, in the line of duty, of so many young Italians engaged in fighting international terrorism and in promoting security and reconstruction in Iraq, is a hard blow for all of us who are
firmly convinced of the importance of their mission". "I would ask you - Pera's message to Minister Martino concludes - to convey my feelings of solidarity to the Commander General of the Carabinieri Corps and to the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces. To the relatives of the Italian soldiers killed in this reprehensible aggression today in Nassiriya, and to all the members of the mission, the condolences, solidarity and affection of the entire nation, and to the wounded wishes for a speedy
recovery".
The President of the Chamber of Deputies Pier Ferdinando Casini made the following statement to the Chamber: "Honourable colleagues, the news from Nassiriya fills us with shock and pain. For the moment six carabinieri have lost their lives in this terrorist bombing, but other victims are not to be excluded. This is a moment of national suffering and pain. Italy is paying a very high price for a humanitarian mission aimed at peace, order and security. The Chamber of Deputies bows to the memory
of these young men who have fallen in the line of duty and gathers round their families and the carabinieri corps. I would like to propose a moment of silence".
President of the Council Silvio Berlusconi, who is following the evolution of the situation in Nassiriya and maintaining constant contact with Minister for the Defence Antonio Martino and Commander General of the Carabinieri Corps Guido Bellini, has made the following statement: "This moment's pain is being felt by the entire nation. A profound pain for those lives cut off by terrorism in the course of a humanitarian and liberation mission aimed at helping the Iraqi people and in defence of the
stability and security of the Middle East. But we also feel a sense of pride for the courage and humanity with which our soldiers, and in the first place the Carabinieri Corps, have been able to render more tolerable the situation of the children, women, elderly and weak living in that region battered for thirty years now by a wicked regime and now also by terrorism. Our determination is the same as those Italians in uniform who have honoured themselves and do honour to the coalition engaged in
supporting Iraq's journey toward democracy. No intimidation must distract us from our intent to help that country to rise again and to re-establish a government, security and freedom. The government stands by the families of the victims with love and shares their pain in this tragic moment".
Vice President of the Council Gianfranco Fini is following developments in the situation minute-by-minute from Palazzo Chigi: "This is the time for responsibility and firmness in the complete eradication of international terrorism", and expressed his "great pain and profound grief, as well as heartfelt solidarity with the families of the victims, the carabinieri corps and all the Italian forces deployed in Iraq who have been struck today by this blind and savage terrorist violence".
Minister for Foreign Affairs Franco Frattini declared "I am deeply pained and my heart goes out, as does surely everyone's, without distinction, to the families of the victims and to our soldiers deployed in Iraq. This terrible and hateful attack against our valorous soldiers, stationed in Nassiriya on a mission of peace and, in a spirit of sacrifice, to help the Iraqi population cannot weaken our determination to fight terrorism. This abominable act strikes not only our courageous carabinieri,
but is an assassination against the entire international community engaged in rebuilding peace and stability in Iraq and for the Iraqi people". Minister Frattini, in constant contact with the military authorities and with our Delegation in Iraq, has expressed his solidarity to the commander of the carabinieri corps General Bellini and to the families of the soldiers deployed in Iraq. Minister Frattini has sent the Head of the Italian Diplomatic Delegation in Baghdad, Armellini, to the site of
the bombing.
Minister for the Defence Antonio Martino is closely following the events associated with the explosion of a bomb at the Command Unit of the MSU (Multinational Specialised Unit) of Carabinieri in Nassiriya (Iraq). Minister Martino will speak before the Parliament as soon as the situation has been defined in greater detail.
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