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May 22, 2005
POSADA CARRILES, BUSH AND ITALY
“Posada Carriles and us” is the title Maurizio Matteuzzi chose for his article on the Leftist Italian newspaper Il Manifesto. The piece talks about the anti-Castro militant’s request for political asylum to the U.s. , where he was under arrest during 48 hours last Tuesday (for illegal immigration). Italy, too - says the author - could play a role in handling this difficult situation.
Matteuzzi points out that Posada Carriles case is a “hot potato” the American president doesn’t know how to deal with, because the Venezuelan is at the same time a former CIA “friend” and a terrorist, responsible for several attacks against Cuba and its people (but, still, a terrorist).
“Bush can’t grant Posada Carriles the asylum – states Matteuzzi- it would be a scandal. Giving him to a European country, like Italy, would be the best solution ”. Italy, among the Eu nations, is the one which would be most interested in prosecuting Posada Carriles for terrorism because an Italian citizen, Fabio di Celmo, got killed in 1997 in one of Posada’s bomb attacks.
The Italian government, though, hasn’t shown any signs of interest and made no request for extradition to the U.s. so far.
The journalist foresees a future scandal arising in Italy out of Berlusconi’s lack of interest. What's more, according to Matteuzzi, the Italian premier could well help his friend Bush, but he might decide not to do it now that relations between the two countries are so bad, following the Calipari affair and Italy’s controversial announcements of withdrawal from Iraq.
Matteuzzi reminds the Italian readers that Bush is facing a hard dilemma with the Posada Carriles case and Castro knows it. “Bush senior – recalls the journalist – did not have the same problem when granting the asylum to Orlando Bosh, one of Posada Carriles’ friends and collegues. The double standard he followed to imprison or reward ‘bad’ or ‘good’ terrorists is no longer applicable after September 11”.
Posted May 22, 2005 02:08 AM
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