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Italian PM resigns after losing vote on Afghan mission

Associated Press

Latest comment posted at 3:45 PM EDT 21/02/07

Prodi's centre-left government needed 160 votes to win backing from the upper house for its foreign policy program, but received only 158 ...Read the full article

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  1. Duncan Munro from Langley BC, Canada writes: Holy minority government Batman! Could this happen here?
  2. Mark Shore from Ottawa, Canada writes: So let's see. Prodi's razor-thin minority socialist government calls for a non-binding resolution of support of foreign policy, including leaving troops in Afghanistan that were originally sent by the Berlusconi government, and then is deserted by its hard-left coalition partners and voted down by Berlusconi's opportunistic right-wing coalition.

    Hmm. Change a few names here and there, maybe a left-right switch or two, and it's Ottawa on the Tiber (or maybe Rome on the Ottawa...).

    Sometimes weak or fluctuating support for military intervention abroad arises because there are weak REASONS for military intervention. Then the military becomes just another partisan football or political prop.
  3. mr motoc from Canada writes: Can't wait for the Moron Wing of the Conservative-Republican Annexationist Party to start with the derogatory comments about 'them thar Eye-talians'. If they need 'inspiration,' they can go to some of the Chickenhawk websites in the U.S.
  4. Michael Clark from Ottawa, Canada writes: I think the comment 'lots of saluting not enough marching' has made the Italians think about marching all the way home - a pity
  5. Brad Buss from Canada writes: They werent doing any fighting anyhow. Their reversible uniforms come in handy though support whoever is winning! ha ha
  6. Pasqual Dione from Canada writes: Duncan anything can happen when you are dealing with the power hungry liberals. Just look at how they flip flop, sometimes even flip floping on their own ideas. Crazy granolas.
  7. L C from Toronto, Canada writes: Italy had 47 different governments in 45 years, and they are still one of the world's most powerful nations. Do you think Canada would fare the same? Highly doubt it.
  8. Dave a Conservative from Ottawa, Canada writes: It's always amusing to see the mr motoc & the neocynic comments which focus on deriding people who aren't Liberal or NDP. Secondly, the focus on deriding people of faith.

    So, typically their are intolerant, militant atheists (or some such religion) that finds satisfaction in spewing hate.

    Well, as a conservative I am happy to say that I just read LIBERAL DION state the LIBERALS SUPPORT AFGHANISTAN TILL 2009!!!!! The only other option is Jack L. and he certainly won't be pulling CF troops out of Afghanistan either. Get off your one trick pony guys and come up with something more original.

    One last note: Canadian Forces in Afghanistan are under UN and NATO jurisdiction. There are NOT under US influence, they were sent by the Chretien/Martin and now supported by Dion also. Face facts people.
  9. b g from Canada writes: Interesting that Associated Press used the term 'radical leftists' not once but twice in this article while Silvio Berlusconi's Forza Italia party isn't labelled 'right-wing'.
  10. The Neocynic from Canada writes: The Liberals are saddled with Harper's commitment made on behalf of Canada. That affirmation of the commitment in no way signals approval of Harper's knee-jerk American mimickry, from morinic militarism to the point of indulging torture, -all in the name of better trade and further ingratiation with the Bush Mafia. It makes you wonder if Harper's Band of Born Again Bumpkins has ever read what their Good Book says about torturing one of God's Creatures. LOL! Then again, rank hypocrisy was always the hallmark of fundamentalists, be they Islamic or Christian.

    It is even more amusing to read the abysmal ignorance exhibited by some pseudo-Canadian Amerophiles here who laughably claim that NATO is not under US influence.
  11. Pasqual Dione from Canada writes: Wow neocynic, its one thing to be partisan but to wish ill will on our troops is absolutly unacceptable. If you are trying to get a response on here that is one thing, but to hope that our troops will be killed in action all for political gain. Well sir you are no different than the islamic terrorists who blew up the train in Spain in order to influence the election. YOu should be ashamed of yourself, and I encourage all liberals or people of NDP decent to shame you the smae way I have. Shame Shame, you are an imbarrasment to this country.
  12. Pasqual Dione from Canada writes: Just so you sleep better tonight neocynic......check the current polls. I hope you enjoy living under the current gov't, because its the only gov't you are going to know for the next 4 years.
  13. The Neocynic from Canada writes: Pasqual: I think you need a refresher course in English comprehension.
  14. Pasqual Dione from Canada writes: I wonder why your party is doing so well. Well good luck with celine dion or Taliban Jack...or whoever you support.
  15. Dave a Conservative from Ottawa, Canada writes: Neocynic - I stated that Canadian Forces in Afghanistan were under UN MANDATED (and the UN isn't friendly to the US- check the record) and NATO (a large alliance - which primarily isn't supportive of the US either!).

    Chretien/Martin sent the troops Neocynic, Dion is merely supporting what his masters told him to do. PM Harper has supported the initial mission to help the innocent Aghanis regain independance, reconstruct their schools, homes and stop the Taliban from resurging.

    Regardless of your political party affliation you Neocynic are a repugnant for desiring more Canadian troops to die on the battle field. I have had the privilege to know some of them from CFB Petawawa and they deserve support for their efforts in aiding Afghanistan, not your derision or malice. You need to take a trip to Aghanistan, conduct interviews with those who are free from the Taliban's hold and the reign of terror they brought on the people (and still want to bring again!).
  16. Richard Roskell from Naramata, Canada writes: Mark Shore- 'Sometimes weak or fluctuating support for military intervention abroad arises because there are weak REASONS for military intervention.'

    I'm in complete agreement with your view in general, and in Canada's current case. Canadians have never been wimps at going to war. We're always among the first in when the cause is true. But Canadians are torn down the middle about Afghanistan. And that's a poor mandate to be fighting a war.

    Truth be told, and I hope it is, if all Canadians were truly aware of who we're fighting and why, support for this war would collapse. The worst excesses of the Taliban did not add up to combined destruction being caused by NATO and the corrupt government it protects.
  17. Wayne B from Calgary, Canada writes: Dave a Conservative from Ottawa, there is no way to get reason across to many of these folks. Thanks for your great effort though!

    Pasqual Dione, in the future, try not to fall into the traps.

    We all must understand that we are surrounded, in our country, by some terribly narcissistic people who will not give your thoughts or opinions any weight. You see, if they allow themselves to consider your opinion, they may find that they are wrong. A narcissist cannot allow that.

    Now, back to the show...
  18. The Neocynic from Canada writes: The war in Afghanistan is lost. Ask the Pakistanis. Ask the experts at the SENLIS Council. People who die there, die not for a principle, but a prince, namely George Bush. The fact that more soldiers will die due to the Taliban offensive is a matter of simple fact, and not from anyone desiring death.

    As always with you neocon types, putting words in other preople's mouths in order to attack an argument never made is yet again another fatuous rhetorical diversion from the simple facts on the ground, both in Afghanistan and Iraq, and soon, Iran.

    Here's one point of fact: There is no 'The Taliban.' Taliban is a generic term. The people of 'Afghanistan' are tribal. It is to their various tribes they owe their alleigance, -not to some ex-CIA hack in Kabul. No amount of torture, no amount of bombing, no amount of rightwing globalist/demockratic propaganda will ever change that fact.
  19. Pasqual Dione from Canada writes: Wayne i agree however that is a completly unacceptable thing for him to hope for......'the casualties will mount and we will pull out'. I am so outraged that someone would even say this. I wish there was some sort of legal punishment for him. On second thought that is excactly what the enemy would want, he is lucky he is aloud to speak his mind. Unfortuantly he will never realize just how lucky he is!!
  20. Pasqual Dione from Canada writes: Neocynic just keep wishing ahrm to our troops, it says enough about what you know, and what you stand for. Looks good on you granola!!
  21. Wayne B from Calgary, Canada writes: Too true, Pasqual Dione. I wish harm on no-one who would not harm me and mine. She shouldn't either.

    She is truly lucky to have the right to speak her mind.
  22. Pasqual Dione from Canada writes: Only a motherless b-tard would say the things you say neocynic. I just can't imagine someone who doesn't think that girls having the right to attend school is a worth while cause. Yes there are other factors in why we are there, but fighting for womens rights is a good place to start.

    Plus...no one put any words in your granola mouth. YOu stated very clearly that you are all for casualties for Canadians just to get a desired result. Dispicable left wing granola!!
  23. Pasqual Dione from Canada writes: Wow neocynic is a girl. Wow even worse. I hope one day she get what she asks for and lives under sharia law. It would look good on her like a nice head to toe black burqua. Unbeliveable that a women wouldn't stand sholder to sholder with un-free women of this world.
  24. sunny singh Sandhu (Apna Love) from vancouver, Canada writes: Pasqual give up that girls go to school bs. The same thing that is happened in Afghanistan is happening in parts of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Algeria and Yemen. Afghanistan isnt the only place in the world nor is Iraq. You know of them because the US started those wars. You also know about them because the media shows death there every day. The Italians were right. If it wasnt for the conservatives we wouldnt even have extended our mission until 2009. there are plenty of women being killed in Sudan, DR congo, Colombia and many other places. Just yesterday a Pakistani female minister was killed for not wearing a veil. Give us a break there are murders all over the planet. The US led wars have made the planet worse off. That much is true. Bravo Italia.
  25. Wayne B from Calgary, Canada writes: Boy Pasqual, you really are choked. Anyhow, I don't actually know the persons sex. I just didn't want to use that name and didn't want to do the he/she thing.
  26. sunny singh Sandhu (Apna Love) from vancouver, Canada writes: Neocynic makes a lot of sense. And he is right Taleban are not a group they are a tribe of Pashtun from AFghanistan and Pakistan. My guess is that many of them fight only becase they view the foreigners as invaders. Pay them off, give them work, you cant kill them all. Because most of spend the winters in Pakistan eating rotis. Canada will be gone in 2009 with a much smaller prescense. Its obvious five years of US war in southern afghanistan didnt work. A new solution is needed, namely getting the leaders not the field soldiers.
  27. sunny singh Sandhu (Apna Love) from vancouver, Canada writes: Pasqual you watch too much fox news. Women still wear burkhas in Afghanistan. Exactly what has changed?
  28. Pasqual Dione from Canada writes: YOur right my immigrant friend sunni. However you are missing the point. We have started to help those in Afghanistan, and the sooner we have success there it will help to entice other countries to see tht free societies are the only way to go. In fact this would happen a lot faster if doubters like you would get on side, instead of fueling the fires. Secondly if we all sat on our hands and did nothing we would have never given women equal rights, we would have never granted blacks civil rights. It all starts somewhere.....just not with teh left wing. Lastly if only 100 girls get the chance to go to school it will make our mission a success. I know you want us to fail but don't worry you will still have aplace here when we are victorious.
  29. Pasqual Dione from Canada writes: Sunni you eat too many squishys. Who cares what they wear! They now have the opportunity to attend school. they also aren't randomly beat for walking down the street anymore. Why did you come here if you want to live under sharia law, you should have stayed in what ever hole you came from.

    Lastly lets not kid ourselves people thetre isn't a country or religion in this world that can take on Democracies that are united!!
  30. Thomas Price from Whitefish, Canada writes: And we consider illegal drugs a problem. From most of these postings I would suggest that the legal drug plan is well financed and well used. Just a reminder before your next shoot-up, the article was about the Italian Prime Minister. Now read again quickly before the drugs take affect. Damn, I lost you already didn't I?
  31. Pasqual Dione from Canada writes: Hey Sunny, you watch too much CBC!!
  32. sunny singh Sandhu (Apna Love) from vancouver, Canada writes: Pasqual your problem is that you have nothing but insults. No real intellect kinda like your boy Bush. And your fake name what does that make you half white supremacist and half italian. You bet I watch CBC at least there is a bit of nuetrality not a commercial for the US army like CTV, Global and the rest.
  33. sunny singh Sandhu (Apna Love) from vancouver, Canada writes: Immigrant friend everyone in Canada besides the natives are immigrants. The only thing you got is putting down immigrants considering your parents were I dont see the correlation between immigrants and the fact that Iraq and Afghanistan are a loss. Look around my white faced bigot Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal are almost becoming microcosm of Canada, diverse, intelligent and very immigrant friendly. Sat Sree Akal, namaste, adios, rividerchi. Learn Punjabi or Mandarin youll need it.
  34. sunny singh Sandhu (Apna Love) from vancouver, Canada writes: Yes Pasqual those hundreds of girls will not find jobs or have food because of all the US led strikes in the area. Get real do you think Canadian or Nato soldiers are actually helping more girls go to school in the south. That maybe true in Kabul but its not happening in Kandahar. Get a clue stop the rhetoric, sit down and calm the hate. Afghanistan and Iraq are both messes. The progress that is happening in both countries is ridiculous. Combat missions dont help people eat or have fresh water. Canada has done some reconstruction but even our own goverment will tell you its not close to enough. Take off your blinders whatever your name is. Without immigrants Canada would fail to exist. This isnt the US you cant play that blame the immigrant thing. There are just too many immigrants. I say go back to Alberta drink some oil.
  35. sunny singh Sandhu (Apna Love) from vancouver, Canada writes: Pasqual put up your real name probably Jim Smith and your city probably Calgary, Alberta. Take a trip to vancouver you might get lost in the seas of immigrants. Chinese and East Indians baby, Canada is understanding the reality of globalism and immigration. While youre in vancity the Mongolian Chicken is superb. You also might see some ladies in Burkhas. That may alarm a mutliculturalis like yourself. Hee Haw listen to the country music amigo.
  36. Pasqual Dione from Canada writes: Hey Abu, have you ever been outside of China town Vancouver, or China Town Montreal. If so you would see the real Canada. One where new immigrants don't try and live in Pakistan and Canada at teh same time. Outside of those cities are the real new Canadians, the ones who BBQ Beef and play hockey. they have brown and white friends. the days of you people all hording together and pretending you still live in Bejing is over. YOur idea of multi-culturism has been a failure. the news system will teach new immigrants the language and settle them outside of the big centres. This way people can't beat their wives on account of religous grtounds (something I am sure you support Sunny Mart). Oh and since you ask, I live in rural Quebec my parents are descendents of The Mohawk, and my mother comes form a long line of Metis, thanks for enquiring my immigrant friend.
  37. Pasqual Dione from Canada writes: Sunny your right about this country being built on immigrants, your wrong about which ones though.
  38. L.B. MURRAY from Canada, Canada writes: U.K. and Tony BLAIR pulling troops out of Iraq, and now ITALY wanting out of AFGHANISTAN... all in the same day!!

    Don't worry, NeoCons, Mr Rove will outdo Himself and find the meister of all meisterspinning and come up with some gem like the one we saw today on all U.K. newspapers and tv stations... quite a spin ...

    Unfortunately, this leaves Canada in dire straits. Our Mr Harper will be the only one answering the phone when Mr Bush calls for Help, Help and Help and more troops and copters and Leopard tanks and Boeing whatevers....

    No thank you.
  39. A H from Barrie, Canada writes: During WWII there was question of why there weren't any medals given out to Italian troops for heroism, and the answer is there wasn't any...
  40. N__ Liberale from Burlington, Canada writes: Pasqual---

    Please don't tell me that you are the son of an immigrant...Becayse if you are, you are slapping your parents in the face with your immigrant talk...

    If your Multiple generation Canadian, remeber, look back and you will find an immigrant there, and you are slapping your ancestor in the face....

    If you are of Native descent, please disregard my above comments
  41. Henry B from Galt, Canada writes: Leaving the trash talk behind for a while (amusing how it is), the likely departure of Italy will be a further blow to NATO. The most compelling reason Canada should remain in Afghanistan is affirm the commitment made by NATO; united we stand – divided we fall. It is shameful that the nations freed from the tyranny of Nazism like Italy have no stomach assuming any risk in the world today. They leave the dangerous work to the same nations that bailed them out 60 years ago. Europe is growing senile.
  42. Henry B from Galt, Canada writes: Now back to the theme of the discussion. While I believe that we should remain in Afghanistan for the sake of our NATO commitment, I think that NATO as a whole should re-assess the operation. NATO – especially with the luke warm commitment given by its members - is in a vulnerable position. And Afghanistan &8211; it is a dreadful place and will remain so as long as it remains Islamic &8211; with or without NATO. Lets&8217;s face it, if you take all the money in the world and add it to an Islamic state and the best you get is a Saudi Arabia, Iran or Iraq what chance does a dirt poor, ignorant Islamic state have? The only hope for the country is to bring back the rightful owners &8211; the Buddhists as evidenced by the great statues of Buddha that the Taliban tried to destroy.
  43. mr motoc from Canada writes: Too bad this Government dislikes the idea of 'defending Canada'. Too bad they dislike the idea of 'Canada'.
  44. Stude Ham from Outremont, Canada writes: It's very clear that the NATO commitment to Afghanistan is crumbling one country at a time. Italy is not the first of the NATO countries to leave this quagmire. Canada must also leave as soon as possible. NATO is not supporting us that well today and these erosions are going to hurt us in that war theatre of the absurd.
  45. Anthony B. from Sydney, NS, Canada writes: Wow! Can't believe all the derogatory anti-Italian comments here. Yesterday they were our great friends and allies in the fight for 'freedom and democracy,' now they're cowards and deserters. What a difference a day makes when you're a hypocrite.
  46. James Young from Brantford, Canada writes: A H from Barrie, Canada writes: During WWII there was question of why there weren't any medals given out to Italian troops for heroism, and the answer is there wasn't any...

    Yoyr initials are corect. Enlarge you reading. http://xrl.us/u3hv

    "An extraordinary example of courage and geniality" with these words Winston Churchill described an action of an enemy. This man and his comrades, Bianchi, Martellotta, Marino, Marceglia, Schergat, accomplished one of the most effective naval victories of the WW2 without killing anyone.

    On one day of 1945 Bianchi and Durand de La Penne received the Gold Medal for Military Valour and it was appointed to their chests by Vice-admiral Charles Morgan, chief of Mediterranean Fleet and former Valiant's captain. Durand de La Penne died in 1992 and his name is now the one of the new Italian super-destroyer class.

    Durgan.
  47. sunny singh Sandhu (Apna Love) from vancouver, Canada writes: Pasquallly while youre here you could have saag and makee di roti and a Punjabi sandwhich. I know buddy multiculturalism is a scary thing. When your block starts turning Somali, Chinese, Korean, Afghani, East Indian you know Canada is going to the dumps. Now if only we could send everyone but the natives back to their orginal countries. Pasqual we could send you back to Poland or it the USSR or is it England or maybe its the anartic. By the way Pascallly since you hate the Eyetalians so much why not joint the Canadian forces this spring is supposed to have lots of action. You could prove you are a real Canadian then. Not like us sissy immigrants who were born here.
  48. R M from Canada writes: Wow that Pasqual Dione is really quite repulsive and offensive. She supports war in the Middle East but displays attitudes that are precisely opposite to what she claims to fight for. Can the editors not do something to about the racism dripping from her comments.

    And sunny, I generally agree with your posts but you are far too quick to descend to the foul depths of those who attack you. You would do yourself, and those who support you, a big favour by taking the high road more often. You make one more reference to 'white trash' and you won't get another supportive comment from me...

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