Italy declares mission in Iraq a success

[ECH1969]

Premier Silvio Berlusconi on Friday declared Italy's mission in Iraq "an absolute and total" success, and said Italy would continue to reduce its military presence there.

Berlusconi said Italy now has 2,900 troops in southern Iraq and noted that the withdrawal would continue gradually in consultation with allies and the Iraqi government.

On Thursday, the Foreign Ministry said Italy has offered US$2 million (euro1.6 million) toward helping organize voting in Iraq scheduled for later this year.

The ministry also will provide training this month for about 100 Iraqi electoral staff in Jordan, said Riccardo Sessa, the ministry official in charge of the Mediterranean and Middle East area.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1126878829547_122288029/?hub=World

[iconoclastic cat]

1. Bwahahahahahahaha!

Now THAT'S comedy!

[sui generis]

2. now where have we heard that before?

And Berlusconi is almost as well loved in Italy as shrubbolini is here.

[sabra]

3. hey what ever it takes to get the troops out.

I am willing for * to call it a success (oh wait), if it means our troops coming home.

[Barrett808]

5. Indeed, neocon organs NR and AEI have already declared victory n/t

[Scurrilous]

4. Declare success, then leave...

....sounds like a good statergy to me! :thumbsup:

[smoogatz]

6. They're no fools.

Machievelli would be proud.

[Benhurst]

7. Mission accomplished!

Pay no attention to those hundreds of thousands of gun-toting Americans behind the curtain.

[gratuitous]

8. Translation: Arrivederci, Busholini!

And the United States looks more and more like the Cheese in the song "The Farmer in the Dell."

[AlCzervik]

9. a really longwinded way to say--"We're bringing our troops home"

[Voltaire99]

10. The US should do the same.

Declare "victory," then load up the copters and planes and run like mad.

[0007]

11. LOL!! This is phonier than professional wrestling.

[oblivious]

13. Yes, professional wrestling, that's a good analogy.

[truthisfreedom]

12. we'll offer you $EU12 and a fresh pile of sandwitches, but we've got to be

going. *vanish*

[oblivious]

14. Shades of Baghdad Bob

http://www.welovetheiraqiinformationminister.com/

[Laughing Mirror]

15. Berlusconi's shaking in his boots

scared to death of whoever was responsible for making those threats after the London bombings, threatening Italy with more of the same if Italy stayed in Iraq.

It looks that he's trying to get the word out that not only is Italy pulling out after all, but look at all the good Italy has done Iraq while there! Will whoever it is making those threats to him be listening?

[daleo]

16. He calls it a success, but by what criteria does he measure that?

Anyone can make vague claims about success, but it means nothing without a goal to measure it against. Bush will do the same when he eventually pulls out, though.

[fshrink]

17. And the Pope is a black female. nt