On March 22, 2011, the President of the Italy, Giorgio Napolitano, held an informal meeting with a bi-partisan delegation from the US House of Representatives led by Nancy Pelosi who, returning from a trip to Afghanistan, expressed a deep appreciation for the efforts that Italy has made in Afghanistan from the outset, and most recently for the Italian Carabinieri’s leading role in training Afghan security forces.

On this occasion, in referring to the Libyan crisis, Nancy Pelosi highlighted Italy’s crucial role in implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1973: a position that has been fully supported by Congressman John Mica, representative from the Republican majority, and the other members of the delegation.

President Napolitano stressed the indispensable need for a unified command, supported by Italy in full agreement with the United States, the United Kingdom and other allies, noting that NATO represents the far more appropriate solution.

The Head of State, in hoping that a decisive effort toward Libya have the highest degree of clarity, coherence and effectiveness, referenced the conclusions of the March 9th Supreme Defense Council, noting that the operation in progress, in which Italy has been participating in full, is based on the previsions stated in Chapter VII of the UN Charter that ensures there be a response, including military, to address any violation or threat to international peace and security.

Also attending the meeting was David Thorne, the U.S. Ambassador to Italy.  The members of the Congressional Delegations were Rep. John Mica, Rep. Leonard Boswell, and Rep. William Pascrell, co-chairman of the Italian American Congressional Delegation.

During her trip to Italy Nancy Pelosi was briefly hospitalized in Rome. In a statement released in Washingon, a spokesman said that "After several flights yesterday ih Afghanistan, and a long flight back to Italy that arrived early this morning, Leader Pelosi was not feeling well." During her visit, Pelosi also meet Gianfranco Fini, whom she had welcomed him in Washington, last year.

|CiaoAmerica.net|