00:00Has Italy decided to distance itself from the West Asia war, basically from its support to USA and Israel?
00:07Italy, according to reports coming in, has denied permission for USA military aircraft to land at their airbase in Sicily
00:13for onward flight to West Asia.
00:16So if there was a drop needed, a pause and a halt needed in Italy for American aircraft, that will
00:22not happen.
00:22Reports are suggesting that some US bombers had been due to land at the base in eastern Sicily before they
00:30head to the West Asia region.
00:32That permission has not been granted by the Italy government and Italy's military leadership was not consulted over this,
00:40as is required under treaties governing the use of American military installations in the country.
00:44Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government has said it will seek parliamentary authorization if any request is made.
00:52This is very interesting.
00:53Is this in any way difference between the government or is this a posturing that is being done by Italy
01:00as well?
01:00I want to immediately bring in a foreign affairs editor, Geeta Mohan, on the latest on that.
01:05Geeta, you tell me, what should one make of this move?
01:07Is Italy's military leadership speaking here, the government, the Prime Minister stating,
01:12we don't want to be a part of this war?
01:14Well, this is after Spain, the second European country that has come out and clearly said that the bases will
01:21not be allowed to be used by the United States of America in the war against Iran.
01:26But over here, there is a technicality.
01:29With Spain, it is very clear, Pooja, they've taken a position, President Sanchez has made that very clear,
01:34that Spain will not be part of the U.S. as well war against Iran.
01:39But in Italy, the question was about allowing the space without authorization.
01:46Now, Italy's military leadership was not consulted and therefore, the granting of the area for U.S. military installations as
01:55the treaty requires has to have authorization.
01:58The government, the current government is a right-wing government headed by Georgia Maloney and she certainly is going to
02:06seek parliamentary authorization should a formal request be made by America for the use of their bases by American aircraft.
02:16And until that happens, center-left, which is the opposition, does not want any use of...
02:23Geeta, usually what is the process?
02:25It wouldn't be a request-to-request basis, right?
02:27There would be an understanding that either the American aircraft or any aircraft of another country can land or it
02:33cannot.
02:34Or do you think they are going situational over the landing or the halt that are needed?
02:39Because I would be surprised if suddenly the Italy government decides that they cannot have military aircrafts landing on the
02:46Italian airspace.
02:48No, it's certainly not sudden.
02:49It requires authorization under treaties.
02:52You're allowed to use bases.
02:54But in circumstances when a country unilaterally has gone to war with another and it's not a NATO effort,
03:00then you do require authorizations and that's the authorization that I suppose the Italian administration will have to seek.
03:07It's an internal process which will have to be completed before U.S. military installations are allowed in that country.
03:14Alright, appreciate you joining us, Geeta Mohan.
Comments