Polls & Research
Archive Search
Italians Steadfast on Troop Withdrawal
(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many adults in Italy want to end their country's participation in the United States-led coalition effort, according to a poll by SWG. 60 per cent of respondents oppose extending their country's military presence.
On Mar. 15, Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi announced "a gradual reduction of the number of our soldiers in Iraq." The process is scheduled to start in September, provided security conditions are reasonable.
In 2003, Berlusconi committed more than 2,000 Italian soldiers to the war in Iraq—the third largest contingent of the coalition—who are currently participating in peacekeeping duties. In March, Italian agent Nicola Calipari was killed in Iraq when American troops mistakenly opened fire at a convoy carrying him and Italian journalist Giuliana Sgrena. Calipari had negotiated the release of Sgrena, who had been abducted by a militant group.
A car bomb killed 18 Italians in Nasiriya in November 2003, in what is considered the biggest loss of life for the country's armed forces since World War II. In all, 26 Italian soldiers have died in the war.
On Jul. 8, Berlusconi said 300 soldiers would be withdrawn from Iraq in September, adding, "I talked to (U.S. president George W.) Bush and (British prime minister Tony) Blair several times about our gradual pullout, as the number of Iraqi police officers and soldiers increase. Iraq must manage to guarantee itself its security on its own."
Yesterday, the Chamber of Deputies authorized funds to keep some Italian troops in Iraq until the end of the year. The proposal must be reviewed by the Senate.
Polling Data
Right now, do you support or oppose extending Italy's military presence in Iraq?
Support | 32% |
Oppose | 60% |
Not sure | 8% |
Source: SWG
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 600 Italian adults, conducted on Jul. 8, 2005. No margin of error was provided.