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Thu May 20, 6:18 PM ET
ROME (AFP) - Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi strongly defended Italy's military presence in Iraq (news - web sites), slamming the opposition for demanding a withdrawal from the US-led coalition and accusing them of serving the interests of the "enemies of democracy".
"Italy will remain in Iraq and remain faithful to its military objectives for peace as long as the armed gangs are not defeated", he told parliament.
"Italy considers that it is its duty and its honor to remain to the very end at the side of those who defend the United Nations (news - web sites) Charter in Iraq," said Berlusconi, a day after talks with US President George W. Bush (news - web sites) in Washington.
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20040520/wl_afp/iraq_italy_us_040520221801
ROME (AFP) - Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi strongly defended Italy's military presence in Iraq (news - web sites), slamming the opposition for demanding a withdrawal from the US-led coalition and accusing them of serving the interests of the "enemies of democracy".
"Italy will remain in Iraq and remain faithful to its military objectives for peace as long as the armed gangs are not defeated", he told parliament.
"Italy considers that it is its duty and its honor to remain to the very end at the side of those who defend the United Nations (news - web sites) Charter in Iraq," said Berlusconi, a day after talks with US President George W. Bush (news - web sites) in Washington.
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20040520/wl_afp/iraq_italy_us_040520221801