World News Italian PM disputes U.S. on Iraq shooting

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ROME (AP) - The Italian prime minister on March 9 disputed Washington's version of the events leading to the killing of Italian intelligence agent Nicola Calipari by U.S. troops at a checkpoint in Baghdad.

Calipari was shot and killed March 4 as he headed to Baghdad's airport after securing the release of journalist Giuliana Sgrena, who had been kidnapped Feb. 4. Sgrena and another intelligence officer in the vehicle were wounded.

The U.S. military has claimed that Italian officials did not give advance notice of the route the Italians' car was taking, that the vehicle was speeding and refused to stop, and that a U.S. patrol tried to warn the driver with hand and arm signals, by flashing white lights and firing shots in front of the car.

But in his first major address since the shooting, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said the car carrying Calipari and Sgrena was traveling at a slow speed and stopped immediately when a light was flashed. He added that Calipari had notified an Italian liaison officer and an American officer that they were on their way.

Berlusconi is a staunch supporter of the U.S.-led campaign in Iraq.

イタリア首相、米に異議あり

イタリアのベルルスコーニ首相は9日、イラクで起きた米軍によるイタリア人記者らへの銃撃事件についての米軍の説明に対して、異議を唱えた。

Shukan ST: March 18, 2005

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