Italy and the Iraqi Question
by Undersecretary of State Margherita Boniver

L’Avanti!

SOURCE: Italian Foreign Ministry

6 February 2003

It is a paradox, but in a few weeks, the curtain will finally fall on the question of Iraq. Obviously, there is still room in the well-known script for the unexpected before the conclusion of a drama written by many hands.

The authors include that Saddam who has been the undisputed arbiter of the destiny of his people, prisoners of ferocious abuse. Another is terrorism, the star of a deeply changed international scenario. Still another author is us Europeans of the “old” Europe, described as “weak, petulant, hypocritical, divided and dedicated to art of double-crossing, according to a recent survey by Timothy Garton Ash in the New York Review of Books. On the question of Iraq, the Europeans have tried either to stand out or move closer to the United States, as seen by last week’s unanimous document of the Foreign Ministers of the Fifteen (more time for inspectors but Saddam must be disarmed), and interlaced with the lovely appeal of the eight leaders (Americans, we’re with you), both released at the same time.

A crucial role is also being played by Colin Powell, who brought to the Security Council the added proof of the filthy arsenal of chemical and bacteriological weapons in Iraqi hands.

Now, we have to understand whether the enormous pressure brought to bear on the Rais of Baghdad, together with the most intense campaign of diplomatic ever seen, with fundamental countries like Egypt (remember that Saddam is totally isolated in the Arab world) on the front line, will lead to the most ardently desired effect: the complete, definitive and unconditional disarming of Iraq.

If that does not take place, the patient weaving started five months ago at the UN, which concluded with the approval of the famous Resolution 1441, that even passed (unanimously!) with the vote of Syria, will have to continue, even though the circumstances are somewhat different. The Americans have shown great moderation until now, but there is no doubt that time works in Saddam’s favour.

To this end, worthy of attention is the intelligent, courageous initiative of Prime Minister Berlusconi and his recent marathon to London, Washington and Moscow, about which he will be reporting to the Chamber of Deputies today. Italy’s foreign policy does honour to our country, both for the extent of loyalty to our allies and for the full awareness of the difficult decisions our Parliament will have to make. Meanwhile, set against the irresponsible referendums promoted by Famiglia Cristiana, and the ageless pacifists marching determinedly down one-way streets, armed with the infantile slogan “no to the war, no ifs, ands or buts”, Italy has made its choice. It wants a neutralised Saddam, possibly in exile, with military action taken only if inevitable and at the least within the framework of the UN Security Council.