Iraq: Friendly Fire Incident Threatens Fresh US-Italian Tension

[sabra]

http://www.adnki.com/index_2Level.php?cat=Security&loid=8.0.201570244&par=0

IRAQ: FRIENDLY FIRE INCIDENT THREATENS FRESH US-ITALIAN TENSION

Baghdad, 29 August (AKI) - New revelations that US marines opened fire on a jeep carrying Italian Carabinieri paramilitary police and a diplomat as they returned along the treacherous road from Baghdad airport could further strain relations between America and Italy. The bullets hit the windscreen, but no-one on board was injured in the incident, which happened on Thursday as the jeep - which was marked with Italian flags down the side - tried to overtake a convoy of marines along the road.

Though the exact dynamics of the accident are unclear, the Carabinieri are said to have signalled to the marines that they were Italians, but it appears one soldier in the last vehicle of the US convoy opened fire, thinking they were potential suicide bombers. US officials are reported to have apologised profusely to the Italian ambassador over the incident.

The shooting took place on the same road as US troops opened fire on Italian intelligence agents driving freed hostage Giuliana Sgrena to the airport in March last year immediately after securing her release. Agent Nicola Calipari died in the shooting and Sgrena was badly injured, prompting Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi to summon the American ambassador for an explanation. The shooting led to a joint investigation between the two countries, to find out if the Italians had informed the Americans that they were carrying the freed hostage to safety, and if the car was travelling fast and had ignored signals to stop at a checkpoint.

The incident also came on the same day as Italian Red Cross commissioner Maurizio Scelli caused controversy by revealing that they treated "four presumed terrorists" and their children in September last year in exchange for the release of kidnapped Italian aid workers Simona Pari and Simona Torretta. He also said that, as requested by the kidnappers, US officials were not informed of the deal, which was approved by a senior official in the prime minister's office.

[RaleighNCDUer]

1. Just a coincidence, I'm sure.

"The incident also came on the same day as Italian Red Cross commissioner Maurizio Scelli caused controversy by revealing that they treated "four presumed terrorists" and their children in September last year in exchange for the release of kidnapped Italian aid workers Simona Pari and Simona Torretta. He also said that, as requested by the kidnappers, US officials were not informed of the deal, which was approved by a senior official in the prime minister's office."

[Kelvin Mace]

2. Has there been any news about this in

other foreign papers.

I am not familiar with this Italian wire service.

[sabra]

3. this is the only source for this story.

ADNKI seems to be pretty legit, however I do consider everything with a little salt. :-)

[Village Idiot]

4. Why am I not surprised?

Short (semi-unrelated) fact:

Canada has only had 7 casualties in Afghanistan. Of those seven, FOUR were killed by US forces in "friendly fire" incidents...

[Barrett808]

5. Fubar. n/t

[Karenina]

6. SOP. n/t