Italy denied the use of the Sigonella base to the United States. The episode, which occurred a few days ago, is reported by the Corriere and confirmed by informed sources. Defense Minister Guido Crosetto’s denial began when he learned of the flight plan of some US air assets, which envisaged landing in Sigonella and then leaving for the Middle East.
However, no one had asked for any authorization nor had consulted the Italian military leaders: the plan had in fact been communicated while the planes were already in flight and from the checks it emerged that these were not normal or logistical flights and therefore were not included in the treaty with our country.
Crosetto: “We have not suspended the use of US bases”
«Someone is trying to get the message across that Italy has decided to suspend the use of bases by US assets. Which is simply false, because the bases are active, in use and nothing has changed. The government continues to do what all Italian governments have always done in total adherence to the commitments made in Parliament and to the line also reiterated in the Supreme Defense Council in continuity with all previous Councils over the decades”. Thus the Minister of Defense Guido Crosetto on
Palazzo Chigi: “Relations with the USA are solid and marked by loyal collaboration”
«There are no critical issues or frictions with international partners. Relations with the United States, in particular, are solid and characterized by full and loyal collaboration.” This was stated in a note from Palazzo Chigi «in reference to press reports on the use of military bases». «With reference to the press reports on the use of military bases, it is reiterated that Italy – the note continues – acts in full compliance with the international agreements in force and the directions expressed by the Government to the Chambers». Palazzo Chigi still hopes that «the Executive line is clear, coherent and already fully shared with Parliament, without any modification. Each request is examined carefully, case by case, as has always happened in the past.”
Schlein: “Government come to Parliament to say no to the use of bases”
«The government’s decision on Sigonella confirms the concerns that, precisely on the Sicilian base, we have advanced all these weeks: the USA wants to use our territory as a platform for the war in the Middle East. Denying authorization by Italy cannot be a sporadic decision, it must become a clearly expressed political line, also in view of future improper requests from the US command. The government must therefore come to Parliament to gather the majority will of the Italian people, who are against the use of our territory for an illegal war which also damages our strategic and economic interests. The Government must ask Trump and Netanyahu to stop, it is not enough to ask the Iranian regime, we must obtain an immediate ceasefire and put an end to this illegal war.” Thus in a note the secretary of the Democratic Party Elly Schlein.
Bonelli (Avs): “Distancing yourself from Trump. Sigonella’s action is a necessary one”
«I consider Sigonella’s action to be a necessary one. The government has always maintained that the treaties must be respected, and in this case a decision was made consistent with this principle. However, we cannot hide behind hypocrisy. The Triton, a monitoring drone which then goes on to bomb, departs regularly from Sigonella. In the same way, from the Camp Darby base in Pisa, missiles and weapons are loaded which then go on to bomb Iran”, recalls Angelo Bonelli, Avs MP and co-spokesperson for Green Europe, on Coffee Break on La7. «It is certainly a positive thing to have denied but let’s not hide behind hypocrisy. Italy continues to provide logistical assistance to military operations in this war which are devastating and destabilizing the planet, with very serious consequences also on an economic level for our country. For this reason – he concludes – I say that the government should have the courage to take one step further: take a clear and clear position, and mark a distance from the policies of this bully of the planet, like Donald Trump, who thinks he governs the world through military supremacy”.