Iraqi president arrives in Italy for visit

[Judi Lynn]

Posted on Mon, Nov. 07, 2005

Iraqi president arrives in Italy for visit
Associated Press

ROME - Iraqi President Jalal Talabani began a visit to Italy on Monday after saying a premature withdrawal of Italian troops from his country would be catastrophic and that the presence of multinational forces was vital.

Talabani arrived at Rome's Ciampino military airport around midday, airport officials said. His visit includes talks with Italy's top officials and a meeting with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican.

"Those who think terrorism in Iraq is the result of the presence of multinational forces are wrong," Talabani said in comments published in Monday's editions of La Stampa daily.

Saddam Hussein loyalists and al-Qaida terrorists "cannot bear a democracy in the heart of the Middle East," he said. "That's why the continuous presence of multinational forces is absolutely vital to us."
(snip/...)

http://www.sunherald.com/mld/sunherald/news/breaking_news/13104564.htm

Edited to add photos.

[saigon68]

1. Looks like Vidkun Quisling to me

[daleo]

2. Getting their stories straight about the Nigerian yellowcake scam

Italy has been getting a lot of attention lately.