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Commander General, honourable
speakers and guests, I am honoured to greet the organizers
and participants to this important seminar on behalf of the
Italian government, the Minister of Defense and myself. My
heartiest greetings to the representatives of several allied
countries, and in particular to the delegates of the Armed
Forces of those Nations that are sharing the MSU experience
with our Carabinieri. It is now over 10 years that Italy is
present with its forces in the most important operational
theatres, where civil wars, terrorism, violence and power
abuse require the direct commitment of the international
community to re-establish law and order and more acceptable
conditions of civil co-habitation.
The above in
view of the serious crises started in the recent '90s from where
Italy has never withdrawn, but conversely, has increased its
commitment acquiring indisputable merits for our country. The
Italian participation to international missions stemmed from an
urge for humanitarian valour and from the awareness of having to
respond to a global threat to world peace and security, that is
against universal values that cannot be defended by one or just a
few countries. Our choices were also motivated by the deep
awareness that at present we have to play a strong and decisive
role, equal to the value of our culture, our history, our
civilization. We are convinced that we are obeying moral and
ethical principles in which the great majority of the Italian
people identify. By offering a qualified contribution we want to
positively affect the gradual establishment of a universal system
of relations inspired by reasons of security as the necessary
condition to guarantee opportunities of civil and economic progress
to everyone.
Our commitment
complies with the political tradition of a republican Italy, never
spectator, but always protagonist in the alliances of the free
world, in the building of Europe and in the fight against
terrorism. Italy readily adhered to the demands of international
organizations, guaranteeing a remarkably consistent and
qualitatively high profile contribution. However, our Armed Forces,
which in all their components have carried out and continue to
carry out their tasks, were demanded even more complex
performances. In fact, our military men were tasked to guarantee a
pacifying presence apt to discipline the rules of co-habitation and
the respect of legality. Indeed, a commitment aiming at solidarity
and security as the presupposition of our country's more
articulated presence in those theatres, accompanied by an economic
initiative and voluntary work. We may state without doubt that
these objectives have been pursued and for the most part achieved
by our soldiers who in recent years have been acknowledged great
appreciation.
However, even
in the context of strictly military activities, Italy has succeeded
in highlighting its acknowledged originality. The Carabinieri that
played an absolutely peculiar role creating, organizing and
perfecting the MSUs, of which the Corps is the prevailing part, are
an example of this. Multinational Specialized Units actually gained
ground because the "Carabinieri model", that is Armed Force and
police force jointly, proved particularly suitable in situations
requiring a military intervention linked to the population, where
the necessary operativeness better responds to the territory
control training criteria of a police force. Thus, a very modern
and efficacious model that may be winning in many situations where
civil co-habitation is seriously jeopardized and where the danger
is not on the battle field but among the people, in the heart of
the city, and manifests in subtle and often changeable forms.
This seminar is
therefore extremely timely and aims at spreading the knowledge of
an organizational and employment formula whose approach and
establishment is due to Italy. Congratulations therefore to the
Carabinieri Corps that has once again proved capable of giving a
highly qualified contribution, acknowledged by the populations that
benefit from it in terms of security and appreciated by the States
and International Organizations, first and foremost the United
Nations that are always a reference point for the Italian
commitment. This is what I wish to highlight considering that, with
reference to the Iraqi context, certain sectors of the opposition
want us to withdraw. They ignore, whether they want it or not, that
Italy is in Iraq within a UNO resolution inviting all states to
participate in the multinational force, led by the Americans,
aiming at restoring conditions of stability and security.
Frankly, I do
not understand how withdrawal and isolation can bee compatible with
a serious and efficacious fight against terrorism. A more direct
commitment of the UNO will not be able to reduce the level of a
military presence without reducing our responsibilities. The
history of Italy is recent and marked by the sacrifice of many men
in uniform, magistrates, officials, simple citizens; this has
strengthened the State and its democratic institutions. Altogether
we have defeated a criminal and destabilizing terrorism, desperate
sectors of which are still alive. The conquered awareness of our
history, together with the respect for those who have died for our
country and the results of decades of commitment by the Armed
Forces, makes us strong and well set on the path taken.
The Italian
government that I represent intends to confirm the engagements
undertaken; to carry on this commitment means avoiding yielding to
the reluctance that inspires some minorities. Maintaining this
commitment means interpreting in the best possible manner the
aspirations of the Italians that some months ago gathered in sorrow
near the soldiers who died for their country who we wish to honour
with unswerving firmness in our battle against terrorism and
barbarousness. Before them and their loved ones we swore that we
would never allow the nullification of this sacrifice. It is with
these sentiments, on behalf of the government, that I renew our
appreciation of the Armed Forces and the Carabinieri Corps while
addressing the participants to this seminar and wishing everyone
all the best in carrying out a good job with the certainty that by
comparing surveys and experiences new qualified indications may
arise for the construction of a peaceful and fair world.
Thank you
(*) - Transcript from an audio
recording corrected by the author.
(**) - Defense Undersecretary of State. |
