Perhaps not everyone knows that Italy is not only one of Libya's main trading partners, but also the biggest European exporter of arms to the regime of Gaddafi. Reminds Unimondo, with an article of President Giorgio Beretta, published on the website of the NGO (www.unimondo.org). " Since in 2004 the EU lifted the total embargo on Libya, the Italian exports of arms to the regime of Colonel Gaddafi have seen an impressive growth, "says Beretta. According Unimondo, in fact, it has gone from just under 15 million € in 2006 to almost 112 million euro in 2009 (+746%).
Increased exploded, "especially the last two years - says Beretta - even after the treaty of friendship, partnership and cooperation between Italy and Libya signed in Benghazi in August 2008 by Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and revolutionary leader, Muammar el Gaddafi. Article 20 of the Treaty provides for "a strong and comprehensive partnership industry in the area of \u200b\u200bdefense and military industries, as well as the development of "cooperation in the field of defense between their armed forces."
Unimondo Second, the relations of the European Union on the export of military materials and systems that certify in the 2008-2009 period, Italy has allowed its companies to send arms to Libya for more than 205 million euro that cover more than one third (34.5%) of all permits issued by the EU (about 595 million euro). After Italy, among other European countries in the recent two years have given the go-ahead for the export of weapons to Libya, there are, France (143 million euro), the small Malta (almost € 80 million), Germany (57 million), United Kingdom (53 million) and Portugal (21 million).
But "unlike European counterparts, Foreign Minister Frattini refrained from reporting even the temporary suspension of arms supplies to Gaddafi-Beretta-stresses. Yet since I started street demonstrations in several countries of North Africa there have been statements to that effect of the main European registries. France and Germany have announced the discontinuation of supply of arms to Egypt (Paris also blocked tear or explosive material for the control order public and, on February 17, extended to Libya and Bahrain in the stop arms sales) and Britain withdrew a number of arms export approvals in Bahrain and Libya.
" Among the major European exporters of arms only Italy is silent. Yet there are no shortage of stress: after the first riots in the countries of North Africa, Network Disarmament and the peace table had explicitly asked the Italian government to suspend all military cooperation with Algeria, Egypt and Tunisia and in fact with all the countries area. Such requests are submitted by pacifist groups in Germany, France and the United Kingdom where the government initially refractory had to respond to public opinion. Only the Minister Frattini is deaf to every solicitation .
Why Italy, unlike France and Britain, has not yet withdrawn the supply of arms to Libya? According to Beretta, the silence is motivated by the Italian business signed by the Italian military industries with Colonel Gaddafi, "starting with the subsidiaries of Finmeccanica, including Agusta Westland ( helicopters, warships also ), Alenia Aermacchi ( combat aircraft ) and MBDA ( missile systems).
According to the annual reports of the Presidency Council on military exports, cited by Unimondo, from 2006 to 2009 the subsidiaries of Finmeccanica in Libya have sold military helicopters, aircraft, equipment for the modernization of aircraft, spare parts, training services and even missiles (through MBDA, held 25% by Finmeccanica, ed), for a total of over 164 million euro. Not only that, the Italian holding company, owned 32.5% by the Ministry of Economy, has as its second largest shareholder, the Libyan Investment Authority, the Libyan government authority that has a market share of 2.01%, "Gadhafi seeks to share that expand up to 3% of the capital to force the board some of his trusted men and otherwise even now allow it to elect up to four delegates, "says Beretta.
Even seemingly minor items, according to Beretta, should be of concern, such as the € 2.2 million spent on "training and spare parts for aircraft of Alenia Aermacchi F260W, of which Libya has about 250 pieces . These aircraft, "which are used as trainers in Europe, Africa and Latin America are often used as bombers," writes Beretta, citing an article by Henry Casale appeared in the magazine People. According to the journalist of the monthly magazine of the Jesuits, in July 2009 Finmeccanica and the Libyan Investment Authority has further their close relationships signing the commitment to create a new joint venture (with a capital of 270 million euro) through which manage industrial and commercial investments in Libya, but also in other African countries. Starting with an agreement signed by Selex Sistemi Integrati, a subsidiary of Finmeccanica, and the Libyan government, a contract worth € 300 million which will create a system of "protection and security" of the southern borders of Libya to halt immigration.
" Perhaps that is why the Minister Frattini is to intervene in trouble when he hears talk of sanctions against the Libyan leader-Beretta-gloss. The should be noted that the Act 185 of 1990 and the European Union's Common Position on arms exports to ascertain the demand 'respect for human rights in the country of final destination and the respect of international humanitarian law by that country' and to reject the export of arms 'if there is a clear risk that military equipment or technology to be exported can be used for internal repression' . In order to avoid this type of use, France, Germany and the UK have decided in recent days to suspend military exports to several countries, including Libya.
We are the promoters of the abolition of the death penalty in the world, our military must be in " peacekeeping mission with the weapons ... What hypocrisy ...
And he answered them
"Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written
This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me."
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