---

By Martin Sieff, UPI Senior News Analyst.
September 18, 2001 3:50 p.m.    
    
Italian Defense Minister Antonio Martino threw Italy's full military support behind the United States Monday in its response to last week's terrible terror attacks. His action underlined the dramatic pro-Washington swing in recent months Italy, long considered to be a meek and loyal supporter of the French-led major continental powers in the European Union against the United States on a host of issues.And Martino's comments also sought to dispel remarks he had made on a radio show in Italy Sunday which were widely reported as meaning that he would not allow Italian troops to take part in such operations.

The comments as reported, or misreported, Sunday, caused a small but brief popular storm of protest against Italy in the United States, with small but vocal demonstrations taking place. That was particularly ironic as Martino was one of the strongest, consistent pro-U.S. voices in Italian politics over the past quarter of a century.But it also gave sobering notice at a time when emotions are highly charged, and even light, casual remarks can be misconstrued or taken out of context.

Martino lost no time Monday in setting the record straight. He told the British Broadcasting Corporation and other major news outlets that Italy would give the United States full military support, and provide both troops and aircraft for operations if asked. He also, and crucially, pledged that the United States could rely on the use of Italian air bases for its operations.That could be of extreme importance given Italy's strategic location, bisecting the 1,000-mile-long Mediterranean Sea like a giant boot kicking the soccer ball of Sicily.Martino also told United Press International he was misquoted concerning his comments Sunday. He said intelligence would first have to clearly identify the culprits responsible for last week's terrible attacks. But, he said, once that was accomplished, Italy's commitment would be total and absolute.

Martino, 58, is a leader of the liberal faction of the Forza Italia political party. He is a longtime ally of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and served as his foreign minister in a previous government in 1994. Martino's commitments come as major European leaders appear divided on how far to support the United States in the looming crisis.

German President Johannes Rau said this week he doubted German troops would participate in any U.S. or U.S.-led armed response. But Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder took some issue with that, "I cannot and do not want to rule out (German military participation)," he said in comments carried by the BBC.And Schroeder's foreign minister, Joschka Fischer, who ironically was a firebrand young critic of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War in the 1960s, said "Not to react would be an invitation to continue (with more terrorist attacks).

"Spain, like Italy, is one of the strongest mainstream European voices in favor of supporting U.S. action. Like Italy, it has pledged unconditional support. And, like Italy, it has promised the United States full use of its air bases."Spain will act without any reservations and as an active member of NATO because we have suffered from terrorism more than anybody," said Spanish Defense Minister Federico Trillo.On a visit to Spain in June, President George W. Bush pledged U.S. support for the Spanish government in its own security struggle with the Basque separatist ETA organization, which has in recent years staged deadly civilian bombings in Madrid and in the Basque country.

The French government has continued its consistent policy of opposing the United States or going out of its way to differ from it on major international issues. Both French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine and Defense Minister Alain Richard have urged caution on the United States in the use of military action.However, President Jacques Chirac, who "cohabits" uneasily with the Socialist government of Prime Minister Lionel Jospin, is due to visit Washington Tuesday and is expected by European diplomats to take a stronger stand in support of the United States.