A Quantum Diaries Survivor

Yesterday, an italian armored vehicle was hit by a bomb in Nassirija, and three of our men died. This brings the total of lost italian lives in Iraq to 37. 

37 casualties since the start of the Iraq war (three years ago!!! And 33 months ago Bush had the face to declare the war was over…) may not look a lot compared to the over 2000 bodies brought back to US soil in brown bags. It is an almost physiological price to pay for a large participation in activities in a war zone.

However, that number is just another demonstration that italian troops were not there to "help the civilians". We did not participate actively in war operations, that is true - but if you walk around in armored vehicles, dressed as Rambo, and coordinate your operation with the other occupation forces who happily use white phosporus over a whole city and use torture with the prisoners of war - there is something wrong with arguing you are there pacifically.

Of the total budget spent by Italy in his Iraq mission, 7 percent has been used for actual help to the country. Seven percent. When confronted to that meager number, members of the (starting today, former) italian government claimed that they had to pay for transportation, salaries, and the like… Then why not to give the money and stay home ? We could have doubled the financiary help and saved 86% of our expenses… And 37 young sons and fathers would still be alive (plus the countless iraqi insurgents died under italian fire).

"Italy repudiates war as a means of solution of international controversies". It is written in our Constitution. We must have forgotten on which page.