Polish Defence Minister Jerzy Szmajdzinski told public radio that Warsaw wanted George W. Bush to be re-elected as US President.(AFP/File)
Posted on 11/03/2004 9:47:29 AM PST by knighthawk
Rome - Italy's foreign ministry welcomed the likely re-election of US President George W Bush as the ballot count in the race for the White House went down to the wire on Wednesday, saying it would have a positive influence on flashpoint issues like Iraq and the Middle East.
"It is certainly an important result for all Italians, as allies of the United States, and one that will have a positive influence on the outcome of Iraq as well as the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza," said foreign ministry under-secretary Alfredo Mantica.
Mantica was speaking to journalists in Rome with Bush poised to take the key state of Ohio which would give him an unassailable lead over Democrat rival John Kerry.
Members of Italy's ruling centre-right coalition earlier hailed a likely Bush victory.
"If Bush stays in the White House, relations between the United States and the European Union are likely to improve," said Antonio Tajani of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's Forza Italia party.
Berlusconi - currently visiting another Bush ally Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow - supported the US-led war in Iraq and sent 3 000 troops to help stabilize the occupied country after the overthrow of Saddam Hussein.
Ignazio La Russa of the National Alliance party, the second-biggest party in the coalition, said "the Bush solution is the one that suits us best, particularly because there will be better relations with Italy".
He said that victory for the incumbent could herald a rapprochement between Washington and European powerhouses France and Germany, healing the wounds left over from Bush's decision to wage war in Iraq.
If people want on or off this list, please let me know.
Italy: one of our friends, like the Brits. I'll visit Italy, I'll visit Britain - I'll avoid France and Germany.
God Bless the Italians for their support since 9/11.
Put me on the Europe list please. I live here in Naples and it has been interesting to see how the people react especially since all they see on the news are the bad things in the world and somehow it all seems to be the fault of the US...
I'm gonna have a nice Linguine w/Clam Sauce for our good Italian Friends this evening $^)
W's victory was greatest for Tony Blair. He would have been toast had Kerry been elected.
Forza Sylvio!!!!
"He said that victory for the incumbent could herald a rapprochement between Washington and European powerhouses France and Germany, healing the wounds left over from Bush's decision to wage war in Iraq."
Let France and Germany make the efforts toward a "rapprochement". They're the dirty rotten scoundrels who stabbed the US in the back and have the blood of American servicemen on their hands. All we did was protect them and throw money at them for sixty years and ignorantly considered them our allies. Let the joke be on them this time around.
You forgot Poland!!!
Sorry, you're absolutely right - Poland is our friend!
That is exactly what this family has done for the past few years.
don't forget Poland, Denmark (that has not pulled its troops outbut watch out for the 25% tax on everything)and others
This was exactly what I meant, just couldn't find the picture.
I'm planning a honeymoon to Ireland next year. Are they on our team?
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