Following the deaths of six Italian soldiers in Afghanistan, the demand that all Italian troops be brought home is growing louder. Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi vowed to withdraw 500 of the 3,100 Italian soldiers—but those 500 were already supposed to be a temporary force.
There is large support in Europe for withdrawal from the U.S.-led occupations. In Italy, 58 percent of the population thinks their troops should withdraw from Afghanistan. In Britain and Germany, 41 percent think the same. (Christian Science Monitor, Sept. 21)
The Italian constitution forbids the use of war to resolve international conflict. The government has tried—and failed—to keep the involvement of Italian troops in the fighting quiet. The troops are supposed to be handing out blankets and medicine, nothing else.
While the governments collaborating with the occupation look for exit strategies without losing face, the soldiers and Afghans continue to pay with their lives. The majority opinion is clear: End the occupation now!
