With all of Silvio Berlusconi’s torrid scandals in recent weeks, one may expect the colorful prime minister to hold some regrets and seek national reconciliation, while asking the country to put the past behind them. Here’s a quote from the AP:
“We want to forget (the past) and resume total cooperation on all the issues on which we have decided to collaborate,” Mr. Berlusconi told journalists on his arrival at the meeting.
But no, Berlusconi wasn’t talking about Italian politics or his allegedly high-priced houseguests. He was talking about the resumption of NATO-Russia diplomatic relations, which had been severed since the war last August. The NRC Summit held in Corfu was only attended by two European heads of state – Mr. Berlusconi and Greek PM Costas Karamanlis, and while an important issue, this is just one stop on a long international road show by the Italian PM (and staunch Kremlin ally) to improve his international image.
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Berlusconi has achieved the less than unique feat of being an American ally and a Russian ally. Silvio is both Pro-American and Pro-Russian, he is on intimate terms with both Bushhttp://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1849966,00.htmlAnd best buddies with Vova.http://www.robertamsterdam.com/deutsch/berlusconi-putin.jpgNo doubt ENI’s interests in Russian gas has influenced his thinking.France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands and Spain all have a favourable attitude and good relations with Russia. Only the UK is hostile to Russia.Merkel is in the US, according to George Friedman of Stratfor, the US and Germany are heading for a Geopolitical collision course.In any new “Cold War”, the Anglo-Americans will only have support from the Eastern European states. Old Europe as it were wants no part of this new confrontation.
Warren, I had heard similar claims from other sources. I am sure Old Europe will try to keep the situation as non-confrontational as possible — they are basically prosperous with a good standard of living, and conflicts tend to affect that. But then again, how can Old Europe extricate itself from NATO and/or EU obligations without losing face? Besides, there are many sharp critics of Russia’s expansionism even within Old Europe.