Prodi Backed In Key Afghan Vote

[Sally Donaldson]

A copy'paste (sorry) news item.

Prodi backed in key Afghan vote

Romano Prodi has had to rely on support from the opposition

Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi's government has won a vote in the Senate to keep Italy's troops in Afghanistan.

The vote gives final approval to a measure that provides funding for all Italian missions abroad.

The government saw off a rebellion from some left-wing members of the ruling coalition, to repeat the victory it had already achieved in the lower house.

Commentators had said that a defeat in the vote could have led to the collapse of Mr Prodi's fragile government.

In the event it was carried by 180 votes to two, with 132 abstentions, which in the Senate count as "No" votes.

Opposition split

The parties on the far left of Mr Prodi's alliance want the 1,800 Italian troops currently deployed in Afghanistan to come home.

In previous votes on Afghanistan, he has been propped up by the centre-right opposition led by Silvio Berlusconi, which supports the deployment.

But Mr Berlusconi has become more critical - notably of the way in which the government negotiated the release of an Italian journalist kidnapped in Afghanistan by the Taleban, a deal which saw five Taleban prisoners freed in exchange.

Italian troops will remain in Afghanistan for some time yet

Come the vote, the opposition split, with senators from Mr Berlusconi's party abstaining, but most of the Christian Democrat Party backing the government.

Italian President Giorgio Napolitano had issued an eleventh hour plea to all sides to reach agreement on an issue affecting national troops abroad.

The Italian troops form part of the Nato mission in Kabul and Herat, not the more dangerous south of the country.

Nato can now be reassured that Italy will remain part of the coalition for the time being, says the BBC's Christian Fraser in Rome.

And Mr Prodi lives to fight another day, though his seems to be a government that stumbles from one crisis to another, our correspondent adds.

[liketheroman]

Should the free world on behalf of Nato thank Mr Prodi for allowing a few troops and a bit of equipment to hang around in a couple of Afghan cities and refuse to let them go where they are actually needed?

Wake up Romano dear, nursey says it's bath time.

PS just love those 'Pace' flags they seem so fond of here. Its like having flags that say 'happiness' or 'prosperity' or 'less cellulite'. You can't disagree with the sentiment but it is meaningless.

[derekL]

Originally Posted by liketheroman

.....You can't disagree with the sentiment but it is meaningless.

... bit like the Iraq war really!

[liketheroman]

Originally Posted by derekL

... bit like the Iraq war really!

Well maybe but at least that makes sense. If you say 'troops out of Iraq' I wouldnt agree with you but it is an opinion I can respect.

If you say 'peace' all I can see is 'yes that would be great, what do you suggest?'