There is going to be upwards of a million people for the public funeral of the Italian Carabinieri killed in Iraq tomorrow in Rome. Today, all have received a postumous promotion in rank. Already there have been 300,000 mourners filing by as the caskets lie in state at Vittoriano rotunda in Venice Square in Rome. This is going to continue all night long.
The last wounded Carabiniere passed away in a US military hospital yesterday and his body transfered to Italy. President Ciampi himself was at the airport to receive the corpse. He has also met with all the surviving relatives.
Both the Raindow peace flag and the national flag are draped over window sills throughout Italy. There is enormous public sentiment.
Yet our fallen are hurried into a hanger in the dead of night lest there be any public mourning. For shame, George Bush.
Berlusconi is not going to recover from this tragic spectacle. This is coupled with the public resignation of the Italian ambassador to the IGC/Coaltion Government with harsh words for Washington.