Italian Troops May Stay in Iraq until 2006

[Algorem]

1:55pm (UK)
Italian Troops May Stay in Iraq until 2006

"PA"

http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=4534288

Italy’s foreign minister suggested today that Italian troops could stay in Iraq into early 2006 after Iraqi elections are held. Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi had previously said a withdrawal could begin in September.

Asked by reporters when Italy’s 3,000-strong contingent would return, Foreign Minister Gianfranco Fini said the pullout could coincide with “the final act of the UN path” setting elections in December.


He said, though, that the elections themselves could be delayed by another month or two, thus pushing back any pullout.

“I don’t think perspectives will be longer than that,” he said...

[cliss]

1. What's the old saying? The left hand knoweth not

what the right hand does.

Berlusconi has promised his Enraged Electorate that the troops will come home in September.

The foreign minister says they will stay until 2006.

Well, THAT'S called hedging your bets, or covering your ass as they say. Keep your people happy & the U.S. at the same time with 2 answers. Works for me.