http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4395008&c=EUR&s=LAN
Defense News November 27, 2009 Italy May Shift Troops from Lebanon, Balkans To Afghanistan By Tom Kington ROME: Responding to U.S. calls to boost troop numbers in Afghanistan, Italy will "probably" do so, by cutting troop numbers in theaters such as Lebanon and the Balkans, Italy's defense minister said Nov. 27. "We are totally willing to give careful consideration to an increase in troops in Afghanistan as requested by NATO and by President Obama during his phone conversation with Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi," said Defense Minister Ignazio La Russa. U.S. President Barack Obama and Berlusconi discussed Italy's 2,800-strong presence in Afghanistan on Nov. 25. Four hundred troops recently returned home after deploying for the Afghan elections. The scope of a new Italian troop increase is yet to be decided, La Russa said. "We are already planning a reduction in the Balkans, as well as in Lebanon, where Italy will be handing over the running of the mission to Spain," La Russa said. "Therefore, with the same resources, give or take a few soldiers, we can also plan for and decide on the increase of troop numbers in Afghanistan." In an earlier statement, Berlusconi said he agreed with NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen on the need for "a new operative approach on the terrain, on the need to increase commitment in the civil sector and in training Afghan security forces and police." =========================== Stop NATO http://groups.yahoo.com/group/stopnato Blog site: http://rickrozoff.wordpress.com/ To subscribe, send an e-mail to: [email protected] or [email protected] Daily digest option available. ============================== --------------------------- ANTI-NATO INFORMATION LIST --^---------------------------------------------------------------- This email was sent to: [email protected] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.bNM5nn.YXJjaGl2 Or send an email to: [email protected] For Topica's complete suite of email marketing solutions visit: http://www.topica.com/?p=TEXFOOTER --^----------------------------------------------------------------
