1.5 million Italians OPPOSE US war on Iraq

Society Pakistan & World Affairs
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The Italian public have come out strongly against any US military action against Iraq, analysts believe the Italian Govt will now be forced to change its policies supporting the US.

**Rallies change Italy on Iraq? **](http://www.washtimes.com/upi-breaking/20021005-022012-6259r.htm)

ROME, Oct. 5 (UPI) – More than 1.5 million Italians took to the streets of dozens of cities Saturday afternoon and evening to protest possible U.S. military action against Iraq – a surprise show of discord that could be fervent enough for the Italian government to re-think its support of Washington

The larger-than-expected protests took place without violence, despite speculation from some fronts that the gatherings could become dangerous, especially to U.S. citizens. On Friday, the U.S. Embassy in Rome circulated a warning to citizens residing in or visiting Italy to stay away from the demonstrations because of fears that they could become targets for violence.

But even though the protests were peaceful, demonstrators made it clear that they opposed U.S. action against Baghdad. The stance is significant because up to this point, Rome and London have been President George W. Bush’s strongest allies in Europe.

Most European leaders – most vocally France’s Jacques Chirac and Gerhard Schroeder of Germany – have called on diplomatic means to diffuse tensions between the United States and Iraq. “For several weeks, Italians have been saying that they are opposed to action against Iraq, but this is the first time they have put those words into action,” Maria Rossi, co-director of the polling firm Opinioni, told United Press International. “The site of thousands of Italians on the streets protesting against the potential war in Iraq has to be a sobering sight for government officials who will need public support for other issues.”

Government officials were not available for comment on their stance on U.S.-Iraq relations on Saturday, but local television drew the same conclusion as Rossi.** “If the government can ignore this … it can ignore anything,” said one on-the-scene journalist for the network La 7 in Milan. “On this day, the Italian people have spoken … and they say they are against support for the American position.” **

Opinion polls support that view, with a week-old survey from Opinioni showing that more than two out of every three Italians opposed any armed conflict over Iraq, and nearly four out of five Italians opposed to Italian participation in such action unless it was as part of a United Nations-sponsored force

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hehe DHP, all ur posts are on this topic...

There was also a huge but peaceful procession here in Michigan the other day, against the war, Ill check if there is a link on a local newspaper...

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Spock: *
hehe DHP, all ur posts are on this topic...

There was also a huge but peaceful procession here in Michigan the other day, against the war, Ill check if there is a link on a local newspaper...
[/QUOTE]

Whats the use of it, when that President of yours gets on the stage and everyone praises him and claps for his nonsense plans.
Therefor I prefer the EU countries policies more concerning these matters than yours.

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Agreed ali. Like i said earlier, the EU is more humanitarian in its views and respects international laws. They are humanist. The same can not be said for the American govt. The majority of the world oppose a war against Iraq. I would love to see Saddam dead. But what is paramount is that the US does not get another foothold in the Middle East and i would side with saddam if it meant we dont get another Saudi Govt type fiasco in power in Iraq. The EU has it right, but they will step in line. It is only a matter of time

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by CM: *
Agreed ali. Like i said earlier, the EU is more humanitarian in its views and respects international laws. They are humanist. The same can not be said for the American govt. The majority of the world oppose a war against Iraq. I would love to see Saddam dead. But what is paramount is that the US does not get another foothold in the Middle East and i would side with saddam if it meant we dont get another Saudi Govt type fiasco in power in Iraq. The EU has it right, but they will step in line. It is only a matter of time
[/QUOTE]

CM, exactly. But I guess voices are not enough here and non of these countries and unions would ever finger point on USA DIRECTLY.

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Agreed Ali. Nobody will point fingers at the US now. How i miss the cold war. It was world was a peace because there was always a counter balance. Without the Soviet Union, the US has a free hand to do whatever it wants and it is doing exactly that and destorying the fabric of international law and society. The EU is doing its best to maintain a order in todays world which does not disintegrate to the Middle Ages, where nations do whatever they want damned the consequnces.

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by CM: *
Agreed Ali. Nobody will point fingers at the US now. How i miss the cold war. It was world was a peace because there was always a counter balance. Without the Soviet Union, the US has a free hand to do whatever it wants and it is doing exactly that and destorying the fabric of international law and society. The EU is doing its best to maintain a order in todays world which does not disintegrate to the Middle Ages, where nations do whatever they want damned the consequnces.
[/QUOTE]

WIth ruining the East countries especially the USSR, America has all powers to attack any country whatsoever. The downfall of communism was a success for the "free world" making those their slaves.
All is now in their hand they have the upper hand.

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Yup, so we stuck with the US thinking the world is their play ground. Something very similar to the big bully on the block who can do whatever he wants. The future looks very bleak for indepedent thought and freedom for all, if that means you go against the US.

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by CM: *
Yup, so we stuck with the US thinking the world is their play ground. Something very similar to the big bully on the block who can do whatever he wants. The future looks very bleak for indepedent thought and freedom for all, if that means you go against the US.
[/QUOTE]

I guess we need to re-define the word democracy here.
I have been blind folded, my ears been cut off so how can I make my opinion?
The way the US is acting is the way of the ignorant.

The new drama of today.: 10 Pal. brutaly murdered in Gaza. 2 Mins of coverage on CNN. That is enough. The headline:
"10 Pals killed in ATTACK"

Hypocrisy poor and then they ask us why we dislike the US Government/Israel/UN

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Back to the main Subject. Italians have played the good role in opposing the US strike on Iraq. This might be the cause of the "nationalist flavour" in this government. Wondering how US does handle such a situation.