THE CANADIAN PRESS - Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said (July 28) Italy has a "moral duty" to increase its military role in Afghanistan even if the public is wary of casualties. Frattini says that as a loyal ally of the United States and NATO, Italy is prepared to send its troops to more volatile areas of the country on temporary deployments.Frattini's comments came as he prepared to leave for Washington where he will meet with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Italy has in the past refused to send troops to combat areas in Afghanistan.(Reliability: 9.5)
Comment: Frattini's comments coincide with related news that an Italian will take over NATO's top civilian position in Afghanistan, and that another countryman has been named to the top European Union post in the country. Taken collectively, the declaration and appointments signal the Berlusconi administration's willingness -- even enthusiasm -- to invest substantial foreign affairs currency in Afghanistan's rehabilitation. That, in turn, is certain to win it appreciation in Washington, D.C., where a weary Bush administration recognizes it has substantially fewer allies in the central Asian country than it did soon after the Taliban ouster.
1 comment:
Nice work until the last sentence of the comment. There, you crossed into analysis somewhat by forecasting the impact of Italy's new stance on its relations with the US.
Grade: A-
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