Shaken Italians mourn 18 dead in Iraq

A shaken Italian nation focused on mourning today after 18 Italians were killed and another was left brain dead in Iraq, Italy’s single worst military loss since the Second World War. But a political storm brewed over the country’s policy in the occupied country.

Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi – who supported the US-led war despite the opposition of most of his people – has vowed to keep up the country’s engagement in Iraq.

The premier also asked political forces to put bickering aside.

Many opposition forces heeded the call immediately after the attack, but warned that it would not last.

Few members of the political opposition talked about a full pullout of Italian troops. But many asked the government to press for a speeded-up transition of power to Iraqis and a larger role of the United Nations.

“A full review of the Italian mission is necessary. This tragedy must be an incentive toward a radical change,” centre-left opposition leader Francesco Rutelli said.

Italy has supported US President George Bush’s military efforts but did not send combat troops.

Instead, it dispatched a 2,500-strong contingent in June to help rebuild the country after Saddam Hussein’s regime fell.

“The illusion of a mild, humanitarian presence … ended in front of the torn bodies of the Carabinieri,” said La Stampa. “In Nasiriyah the illusion of a country protected from terrorism by some mysterious shield has died,” echoed a front-page editorial in Corriere della Sera.

Early yesterday, an explosive-laden truck approached a building at the Italian compound in the southern city of Nasiriyah. Guards returned fire, but the vehicle ploughed through the gate and exploded.

Twelve Carabinieri paramilitary police were killed, along with four Army soldiers, an Italian civilian, and an Italian documentary filmmaker. Another Italian was alive but has been declared brain dead.

Today, people went to the Rome headquarters of the Carabinieri paramilitary police to pay tribute.

One bunch of flowers bore a note: “May God welcome you in paradise, young soldiers of Italy. Amen.”

In Rome, the Cabinet opened a meeting holding a minute of silence. The flag rippled at half mast across the country. Some cities and towns declared a day of mourning. Shopowners in Bologna and Turin said they would turn off the lights in their stores for a minute.

Among the most moving tributes were condolence calls that flooded in to Carabinieri stations and were broadcast on state-run television.

“With tears in my eyes, I want to express the love that I have for the Carabinieri corps,” one man said.

A poll conducted after the attack had Italians divided over whether Italy and the other coalition members should leave Iraq, with 44% saying yes and 44% saying no.

The last time Italy suffered military losses near this level was more than 40 years ago, when 13 Italian airmen were killed in Congo in 1961 during an aid operation.