U.S. report of attack on Giuliana based largely on the soldiers’ testimony "clearly a lie"

Publisher’s note: The US report should have included the eyewitness testimony of Giuliana Sgrena who stated that the shooting was not even at a checkpoint at all, it was an ambush from behind on a secure road.

Giuliana Sgrena Blasts U.S. Cover Up- Confirms she was shot at from behind-not in self defense

ROME (Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi had a "long and friendly" telephone conversation on Wednesday as both countries moved to end a row over the killing of an Italian agent in Iraq.

Berlusconi’s office and the White House said in statements that Bush had telephoned the Italian leader and again expressed his condolences for the death of Nicola Calipari, who was shot dead at a U.S. military roadblock near Baghdad airport in March.

Italy and the United States have issued differing reports on the incident, with the U.S. military exonerating its troops of any blame while Rome said nervous American soldiers and a badly executed roadblock were at the root of the shooting.

The row has severely strained relations between the two allies and prompted calls in Italy for Berlusconi to speed the withdrawal some 3,000 Italian troops deployed in Iraq.

However, the prime minister looks eager to draw a line under the affair and Wednesday’s statements made clear that Italy and the United States still shared the same objectives for Iraq.

"The two countries remain firmly committed to the people and government of Iraq and for the reconstruction of a stable, free and democratic Iraq," the Italian statement said.

White House spokesman Scott McClellan said: "The two leaders agreed that the tragedy would not harm the strong friendship between the United States and Italy, nor our commitment to help the Iraqi people build a brighter future."

Bush had called Calipari hero and asked Berlusconi to pass on his sympathies to Calipari’s family.

Calipari was shot by a U.S. soldier on the night of March 4, as he was escorting an Italian hostage to freedom on the notoriously dangerous road to Baghdad airport.

JOINT INQUIRY, DIFFERENT CONCLUSIONS

The killing aroused strong passions in Italy, piling huge pressure on Berlusconi who has forged particularly close ties with Washington and vaunted a personal friendship with Bush.

Rome and Washington set up a joint inquiry into the shooting, but failed to reach the same conclusions.

The U.S. released its report last Saturday, pinning much of the blame on the Italians. Italy firmly rebutted the findings on Monday and faulted the U.S. military for setting up dangerous checkpoints and manning them with inexperienced soldiers.

The U.S. conclusions, based largely on the soldiers’ testimony because forensic evidence was not preserved, infuriated many Italians; Reforms Minister Roberto Calderoli said on Wednesday the American report was "clearly a lie".

But those outspoken comments to reporters appeared at odds with Berlusconi’s desire to take the sting out the saga.

"We have to put an end to this damned business as soon as possible and stop it doing any more damage," the premier was quoted as saying by Il Messaggero newspaper on Wednesday.

The prime minister will address parliament on Thursday about the issue and is set to resist calls to bring forward the pullout of the Italian troops, due to start in September.

"We will withdraw the troops when it’s necessary to do so," Berlusconi was quoted as saying by La Stampa newspaper on Wednesday. "There will be no retaliation."

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