Italian Press Accuse Berlusconi of Changing Calipari Report

The Italian press has claimed that Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has altered a report investigating the death of Italian secret service agent Nicola Calipari, who was killed by US soldiers in Iraq in order not to endanger Washington-Rome relations.

The papers revealed that Berlusconi had requested some changes be made in the direction of the report so as not to criticize the US too much and not to jeapodize relations. The headline run by Il Messaggero carried the issue to the public, "Head of government asks for changes" while La Repubblica reported the news running the headline, "Berlusconi’s commonsense pressure".

http://www.zaman.com/?bl=hotnews&am...

and from the Australia Daily Telegraph:

Mr Berlusconi intervened directly to ensure the report would not damage relations with Washington, Italian press reports said today.

Newspapers said Mr Berlusconi, a key European ally of US President George W. Bush, had personally demanded changes to the document to soften criticism of the Americans and ensure it would not sour relations.

.... Mr Berlusconi has already said Italy could begin withdrawing its troops in September, if Italy’s allies agreed.

http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/s...