New Delhi:
As Italy's Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi resigned in protest over the sending back of two marines to face murder charges in India, it brought to fore serious differences within the government over an issue that has sparked a furore in the country.
"The misgivings I expressed had no effect on the decision taken... I am also standing down in solidarity with our two marines and their families," Mr Terzi said in the Italian parliament on Tuesday.
The minister had reportedly played a key role in his country's surprise refusal, earlier this month, to send back the two marines - Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone - to India. In this, he had the support of Defence Minister Giampaolo Di Paola. President Giorgio Napolitano, though, was reportedly opposed to this decision.
The end result was Italy's envoy to India, Daniele Mancini, reneging on his promise - under the instructions of the foreign ministry - to India's Supreme Court of ensuring the return of the two marines, a decision that sparked a massive diplomatic row with New Delhi and earned Prime Minister Mario Monti's caretaker government severe criticism for the fiasco.
The final decision to send the marines back to India has further compounded problems for the Italian government. NDTV had earlier spoken to some of the family members of the Italian marines, including Massimiliano Latorre's mother, who had expressed confidence that her son would never return to India.
"I have always acted for the good of the marines and Italy. If I haven't managed that, I ask forgiveness from everyone, and first of all from both of them," Defence Minister Paola said, in a public apology.
Public opinion in Italy is divided over the marines returning to India; most feel the Italian government's handling is outrageous. It's also a sensitive matter of national pride. Many agree the marines should undergo trial but also believe they should be treated with respect in India as they belong to the Italian naval force and should not be given the death penalty. Capital punishment was abolished in Italy more than a century ago.
The announcement that the marines will be returned to India came from the Italian PM's office and the decision was taken by the CISR, an inter-ministerial committee of national intelligence and security in Italy. New Delhi's tough stand and a perceived threat to the Italian ambassador's immunity seems to have forced a change in heart in Rome. But this very decision has now put the Italian government under the scanner for what is being seen as a case of poor management of a diplomatic crisis.
"The misgivings I expressed had no effect on the decision taken... I am also standing down in solidarity with our two marines and their families," Mr Terzi said in the Italian parliament on Tuesday.
The minister had reportedly played a key role in his country's surprise refusal, earlier this month, to send back the two marines - Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone - to India. In this, he had the support of Defence Minister Giampaolo Di Paola. President Giorgio Napolitano, though, was reportedly opposed to this decision.
The end result was Italy's envoy to India, Daniele Mancini, reneging on his promise - under the instructions of the foreign ministry - to India's Supreme Court of ensuring the return of the two marines, a decision that sparked a massive diplomatic row with New Delhi and earned Prime Minister Mario Monti's caretaker government severe criticism for the fiasco.
The final decision to send the marines back to India has further compounded problems for the Italian government. NDTV had earlier spoken to some of the family members of the Italian marines, including Massimiliano Latorre's mother, who had expressed confidence that her son would never return to India.
"I have always acted for the good of the marines and Italy. If I haven't managed that, I ask forgiveness from everyone, and first of all from both of them," Defence Minister Paola said, in a public apology.
Public opinion in Italy is divided over the marines returning to India; most feel the Italian government's handling is outrageous. It's also a sensitive matter of national pride. Many agree the marines should undergo trial but also believe they should be treated with respect in India as they belong to the Italian naval force and should not be given the death penalty. Capital punishment was abolished in Italy more than a century ago.
The announcement that the marines will be returned to India came from the Italian PM's office and the decision was taken by the CISR, an inter-ministerial committee of national intelligence and security in Italy. New Delhi's tough stand and a perceived threat to the Italian ambassador's immunity seems to have forced a change in heart in Rome. But this very decision has now put the Italian government under the scanner for what is being seen as a case of poor management of a diplomatic crisis.
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