Berlusconi: "I knew the war was a bad idea ..."

[weldon_berger]

You can almost hear the guy shouting, "Prepare to come about!" Silvio Berlusconi has been the most slavish Bush devotee in Europe second only to Tony Blair, and he swears he'll stay the course, but:

In a speech Friday, Premier Silvio Berlusconi defended his government's decision to send troops but said he had been opposed to the war and tried to persuade President Bush to change his mind. During the conflict, Berlusconi was a staunch ally of the U.S. administration.

"I didn't support every action of the United States. I tried to persuade them not to intervene militarily," Berlusconi said during a meeting in Brussels, Belgium. "But when I saw there was no way (to prevent it), I stood by the United States."

He says the Wednesday suicide bombing in southern Iraq won't shake Italy's resolve, but I expect that'll only last until Italy's resolve is shaken. At which point Silvio will be too busy to come to the phone.

The bombing did sufficiently creep out Japan and South Korea to the point where the former postponed its promised troop deployment indefinitely, and the latter lopped its commitment by two thirds. Friendly fire is coming from everywhere.

[Paschall]

1. I wonder...

A national day of mourning has been declared in Italy for the Italian troops killed in the suicide blast. And, apparently, a huge state funeral--one of the largest ever--is being planned.

If another attack kills a second handful of Italian troops, will the Italian public accept a rerun?

[weldon_berger]

2. I think he's preparing his very own exit strategy.

The polling now says that a majority of Italians, including many who opposed the war, think the country should remain involved. I'm sure that will change with distance, and a repeat would make it worse. What I don't know - maybe you can help - is whether Berlusconi is vulnerable enough to feel a need to respond to a change in public sentiment.

[teryang]

3. What a pathetic liar!

His spineless attempt to escape responsibility for a stupid and immoral decision based upon his fascist leanings is not unexpected.

[edzontar]

4. Berlu wants to be popular--it's in his guts...

And he will only turn against the war when his base--the RW shopkeppers and merchants, turn on it too.

As long as the critiques come from his left, he'll just call them "communists."

[kskiska]

5. This – after that nice visit to the Crawford pig farm!

Et tu, Berlusconi?

[cliss]

6. Yup, I saw it too.

The Ole Buddy Berlusconi was smiling broadly, as he was being patted on the back by BOTH George and Laura 'back home on the ranch'. I think George bragged that he was "gowna treat Silvio to barbecued ribs that nite".

This was at a time when pubic support for the war was flagging. Bush desperately needed some buddies, and Old Chubby Cheeks himself appeared to save the day.

The problem with being a public figure is that when you open your mouth, the tape recorder IS ON. There will always be someone who can dredge up some quotes to the effect of, "yes, we will support you". A few months later, you try to refute those claims.

Just doesn't work, Silvio.

[weldon_berger]

7. He does own the media in Italy ...

so it could work. I would have liked to be in the room when whoever's job it is to read to the president this week broke the news.