Italy clarifies NATO position after making pledge to Libya

Italy clarifies NATO position after making pledge to Libya
By Sandra Jontz, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Monday, September 8, 2008

Italian officials insisted Thursday its government will honor existing agreements with the U.S. and NATO in the wake of the prime minister’s pledge to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi that no U.S. or NATO bases in Italy would be used to launch a strike against Libya.

On Saturday, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and Kadhafi signed a reparations agreement, called the Treaty of Friendship, for damage inflicted on Libya during Italy’s 30-year occupation of the north African nation. Italy will pay Libya $5 billion over 20 years, construct roads and set up scholarships for Libyans who want to study in Italy, among other promises, according to a press announcement.

Italy’s minister for foreign affairs, Franco Frattini, on Thursday asserted that all existing agreements and obligations between Italy and the United States and NATO would be maintained, according to ministry public affairs officials.

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U.S. Defense Department and State Department officials did not respond to repeated requests for comment.

The U.S. military has six bases and facilities in Italy — some large bases, others smaller installations where U.S. personnel work alongside Italian military. Facilities are in Aviano, Vicenza, Livorno, Ghedi, Naples and Sicily.


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