Premier Paolo Gentiloni told the
Lower House on Tuesday that the fact Italy did not actively take
part in the United States-led air strikes in Syria does not mean
it is neutral.
"Italy is not a neutral country, one that choose on a
case-by-case basis whether to side with the Atlantic alliance or
Russia," he said.
"It is a coherent ally of the United States and not starting
with this or that American administration, of Kennedy or Nixon,
Reagan or Clinton, Bush or Obama.
"We have chosen sides".
Gentiloni said that the air strikes by the United States,
France and Great Britain in Syria were "a justified, targeted
and limited response" to alleged chemical weapon attacks by the
Assad regime on its own people.
"There are no indications of civilian victims or of
collateral damage.
"The response was coordinated with the actors present to
avoid civilian victims".
Italy only provided logistical support, via the Aviano air
base, to the strikes on Syria, Gentiloni said.
He stressed no "direct action aimed at hitting Syrian
territory" had come from Italian territory.
The Russian veto at the United Nations blocks establishing
the truth about the suspected Syrian regime chemical
weapons attack on the Syrian town of Douma, Gentiloni said.
"The city of Douma, which was the last stronghold of the
rebels, was the target of an attack in which according to all
evidence the use of chemical weapons was repeated: probably
chlorine mixed with sarin or similar agents" he said.
"Various sources have confirmed dozens of dead and hundreds
of injured.
"But we have the certainty, unfortunately, that following
Russia's veto on the (UN) Security Council's proposal, the
initiative to establish the truth and responsibilities has been
blocked.
Gentiloni said "I think we can't accept going back 100 years
to the end of the First World War and again legitimise the use
of chemical weapons, we cannot accept it".
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