ITALY: Flags flew at half-mast and wreaths of flowers swamped out Carabinieri buildings throughout the land as Italians yesterday mourned the 18 Italian victims of Wednesday's bomb attack on an Italian military headquarters in the southern Iraqi city of Nassiriya.
Reflecting the nation's sombre mood, the government called for a day of "national mourning" to mark the mass funeral for the victims, due to be held in Rome next week.
In Washington for a state visit, Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi reiterated Italy's determination to stay the course in the fight against international terrorism, saying: "Relations between Italy and the US remain solid, now more than ever in a moment like this when, together, we are forced to deal with painful losses in the battle against terrorism and to help Iraq become a free and democratic country."
President Ciampi's words were echoed by Italian Defence Minister Mr Antonio Martino who yesterday visited the site of the bomb attack in Nassiriya: "It was like seeing Ground Zero again. I had the same sensations and the enemy we are dealing with is the same, too. Global terrorism strikes everywhere."
Even as Italy continued to mourn what Deputy Prime Minister Mr Gianfranco Fini termed "our 9/11", the storm clouds were beginning to gather for what is sure to be a bitter public and political debate about the future of Italy's 3,000-strong military presence in Iraq.
Wednesday's massacre, by and large, took Italians by surprise. Public opinion was overwhelmingly opposed to the US-led military intervention in March. The April parliamentary vote to send troops to post-war Iraq portrayed the military deployment as a humanitarian, peacekeeping mission in which Italian troops would have a "non-combat" role.
Many commentators reflected on the damage done to Italy's traditionally good relations with the Arab world. "Yesterday's message was loud and clear. We are no longer the darlings of the Arab world," commented Il Giornale, the daily owned by the family of Prime Minister Mr Silvio Berlusconi.
Milan daily Corriere Della Sera also reflected the sense of nationwide shock, commenting: "The illusion that ours was a moderate humanitarian presence aimed at solidarity (with the Iraqi people) was ended by the mangled bodies of our poor soldiers."
Even as news of the massacre was being relayed back to Italy on Wednesday, there were signs of serious trouble ahead for Mr Berlusconi. Calls from hardline elements in the centre-left opposition, and from the CGIL trade union, for Italian troops to be withdrawn as soon as possible are likely to generate widespread public support.
Parliamentary authorisation for the Italian presence in Iraq is due to expire at the end of December, prompting the need for a renewed authorisation in what is sure to be a lively parliamentary debate next month.
Political analysts point out that Mr Berlusconi is certain to confirm Italy's willingness to stay the course, as he indicated in parliament on Wednesday. He has staked much political credibility in building a special relationship with the Bush administration, and may argue that if Italy changed tack now and withdrew troops, it would be perceived internationally as fickle and as having given in to the terrorists.
Responding to "troops out" demands from opposition hardliners, Foreign Minister Mr Franco Frattini yesterday said that the international community "cannot retreat before terrorism". The Foreign Minister said that Italy, in common with the US, wants to see a multi-lateral force under UN aegis handle the transition of power back to the Iraqi people.