Italy has announced that it will begin drawing down its forces in Iraq, beginning in September. Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi claims the decision is unrelated to the recent checkpoint shooting of a car carrying communist reporter and supposed hostage Giuliana Sgrena.
Asked whether Italy’s decision was tied to the shooting incident, Mr McClellan said he had not heard Italian officials saying that.
“I’m not sure I’d make a connection there,” he said.
Dr. Rusty Shackleford at the Jawa Report disagrees.
Giuliana Sgrena has finally gotten her way. Islamist media already attributes Italy’s announced withdrawal as a response to the Sgrena debacle. Expect more hostage taking (real or feigned) immediately.