"Ma quale svolta, quale nuova politica estera, lui e' il mio erede come io ero l'erede di Andreotti. Ma cosa crede Prodi, che tutto quel che gli accade venga dalla luna? Io avro' fatto qualche cena e qualche cerimonia in piu', avro' curato meglio i rapporti personali con Bush... Che c'e' di nuovo? Dov'e' la rivoluzione? Prodi e' l'erede di Silvio Berlusconi, come io sono l'erede di Giulio Andreotti".
(Silvio Berlusconi, gia' presidente del Consiglio, Corriere della Sera, 29 agosto 2006)
"L'aspirazione dell'Italia a ricoprire un ruolo piu' importante risale a un periodo precedente all'arrivo di Romano Prodi, ma questa nuova fiducia va attribuita a lui, perche', pur collocando il paese fra gli alleati degli Stati Uniti, non lo ha fatto in modo servile come il suo predecessore".
(Ewen MacAskill, diplomatic editor, The Guardian, 28 agosto 2006)
VEDI:
29/08/2006 - "CORRIERE DELLA SERA", Pag. 2/3
BERLUSCONI: DOV'E' LA SVOLTA? IN POLITICA ESTERA IL PROFESSORE E' IL MIO EREDE
di: MONICA GUERZONI
www.difesa.it/files/rassegnastampa/060829/BT7V8.pdf
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THE GUARDIAN
Diplomacy
Italy delivers on aim to be go-between
Ewen MacAskill, diplomatic editor
Monday August 28, 2006
The Guardian
Italian diplomats in London briefed journalists at their embassy more than
a year ago on the extent of the country's military commitments in international
missions overseas. The number of troops involved was a surprise, but most
journalists present dismissed the briefing as the kind of PR embassies are
always organising.
They are no longer so dismissive. In the past month, the Italian government
has taken a lead, along with France, in ending the Israeli-Lebanon war and
emerged as a potential player in the behind-the-scenes talks to free the
two Israeli soldiers whose capture by Hizbullah started the conflict.
As a sign of Italy's increased readiness on the diplomatic front, foreign
minister Massimo D'Alema said it wanted to join the US, France, Germany and
Britain in talks with Iran on the nuclear crisis.
Italy's desire for a major role predates Romano Prodi's arrival, but he is
responsible for this new confidence, positioning the country as an ally of
the US, while not as slavish as his predecessor. On becoming prime minister,
he withdrew Italian troops from Iraq, but has since shown willing to work
with the US in other areas.
Italy, with no seat on the UN security council, is not like the US or Britain.
But almost unnoticed it is increasingly active. When the UN asked for troops
for a force for Lebanon, even while fighting was going on, Mr Prodi offered
3,000. Jacques Chirac promised France would lead the peacekeeping force and
hinted at 3,000 men, but initially offered 200. Italy stuck by its pledge
and offered to lead the force.
Why is Italy prepared to risk troops in Lebanon, but not Iraq? The answer
is the domestic opposition to the Iraq war, but also because Rome sees its
national interest as centring on the Mediterranean. "Italy has gone back
to having an important role in international diplomacy, and even more in
the Mediterranean area," Mr Prodi yesterday told La Repubblica readers. Mr
D'Alema, in comments that will irritate Britain and France, which have never
lost interest in the Middle East, said Europe needed to pay more attention
to that region, after being distracted by EU enlargement in recent years.
It was in the context of a greater role in the Middle East that Mr D'Alema
made his offer to help the European trio of Britain, France and Germany in
negotiations with Iran and the US. Although Iran appeared to welcome the
prospect, the EU trio may resist, having worked together for the past three
years on talks, albeit mainly unsuccessfully. And yesterday Lebanon's Hizbullah
leader revealed that Italy has also offered to mediate a prisoner swap.