Proposal on India marines being examined

(ANSA) - New Delhi, March 25 - A fresh Italian proposal to break the impasse on two marines held in India for over three years in the shooting deaths of two Indian fishermen "has been received and is currently being studied by our legal experts," Foreign Ministry Director-General for the western hemisphere Navtej Singh Sarna told ANSA Wednesday. Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni said last Thursday that the prolonged failure to resolve the case of the pair being held since an international anti-piracy mission in February 2012 is "unacceptable".
    "Contacts continue between the two governments in search of a negotiated solution," Gentiloni said of the situation facing Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone, who shot the fishermen after allegedly mistaking them for pirates.
    However, "the drawn-out nature of the matter is unacceptable" and a solution needs to be found "shortly", the minister added.
    To this end Gentiloni said he had sought new intervention by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who "intends to do it in the coming weeks".
    The case has led to diplomatic tension between the two countries, with Italy arguing that the marines should not be tried in India as the case falls outside its jurisdiction.
    Earlier this month a special tribunal established to try the servicemen postponed proceedings until July pending the outcome of their appeal to the Indian Supreme Court against the involvement of NIA anti-terror police in the investigation.
    Latorre is currently in Italy recovering from heart surgery but is due to return to India in April.