Italian Soldier's Death in Iraq Roils Rome

[Snazzy]

Italian Soldier's Death in Iraq Roils Rome

May 18, 2:24 AM (ET)

By ALESSANDRA RIZZO

ROME (AP) - The first combat death of an Italian soldier in Iraq on Monday led to new pressure on Premier Silvio Berlusconi to pull out troops and distance himself from the Bush administration.

The development came days before the Italian premier travels to Washington, where he is expected to meet with President Bush. Opposition leaders contended that after heavy fighting in the past three days and scattered clashes in the past weeks, the mission can no longer be described as humanitarian.

"The context is one of war and the mission is not one of peace," opposition lawmaker Luciano Violante said Monday. "We want to know what Berlusconi will tell Bush in light of the recent events."

...

Recent polls show a decline in Berlusconi's popularity, and the Iraq war might take a further toll in a country that was largely opposed to military intervention and held one of Europe's largest anti-war rallies last year.

....

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20040518/D82KQO5G0.html

[ugarte]

1. Someone should put these three asses in a donkey race

Bush, Blair and Berlusconi.

[snooper2]

2. And Howard...

Ya can't leave him out...