On the security issue, tension remains high within the center-right with the Lega insisting on strengthening Strade Sicure (the operation that since 2008 employs the Armed Forces for prevention and security posts) and the Defense Minister Guido Crosetto intervening to counter that if “military forces are to be deployed immediately” not “for merely ‘aesthetic’ reasons,” it is necessary to accelerate “the Defense reorganization plan.” The issue has caused disagreements within the majority (and also within FdI) since last November when Crosetto emphasized the need to “increase police forces to return the military to their original work.”
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Lega: immediately strengthen “Strade Sicure”
The issue is raised again by Lega senator Giorgio Maria Bergesio. “The strengthening of ‘Strade Sicure’ can no longer wait: it is necessary to reinforce the contingent up to 10,000 soldiers in our cities. We requested this with a Lega resolution (stalled since April, editor’s note), which we hope will be scheduled immediately. The presence of our soldiers has an immediate and fundamental deterrent effect against thugs, terrorists, drug dealers, and criminals who occupy squares, stations, and suburbs. 90% of citizens feel more protected where there is a military post: this proves that this is the right path. It is unacceptable that over 60 provincial capitals remain uncovered, without a fixed post. We ask the entire majority to support the proposal: it can be implemented in a few weeks, we cannot waste any more time. The safety of Italians comes first.”
From the Defense Committee comes the clarification from the spokesperson of the president Antonino Minardo (Forza Italia): “The resolution of Honorable Zoffili was already planned among the first acts to be addressed upon the resumption of the Defense Committee’s work after the summer break. It was not included in this week’s agenda precisely following a request in this regard made by Honorable Zoffili himself to the Committee offices. We therefore acknowledge the new request publicly made today by the Lega group leader and, since there has never been any problem nor any intention to postpone the examination of the act, the resolution will be included in the agenda of the Committee’s work next Thursday.”
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Crosetto: more soldiers on the streets should not be just “aesthetic”
But on the subject, Minister Crosetto intervenes to clarify: “In various newspapers today I read about a clash within the majority over a possible increase of the Strade Sicure Operation, which I would be against. Probably none of those who write or say these things remember who created the Strade Sicure Operation nor the effort and difficulties with which it was born. I, on the other hand, remember everything well because we made it happen, against all odds, La Russa as minister, Cossiga (son) and I as undersecretaries. Against all odds, I repeat. In fact, it did not come about as we would have wanted but with a thousand constraints,” adds Crosetto. “Constraints that still exist and make it difficult for the military to perform that role to the fullest extent of their potential. Due to bureaucratic and legislative ties, logistical and organizational problems, training and equipment. For this reason, I allowed myself to say that it would be more productive to recruit 10,000 more carabinieri, who are Defense but police force with all the powers of police forces.”
The Defense Minister asks: “Do you want to deploy the military immediately? Just make sure it is not for merely ‘aesthetic’ reasons to show some camouflage on the streets. If then you want them operational and, as some ask, want special forces in the risk areas of the cities, alongside the police forces, just make it legally possible. So more than a resolution, accelerate the Defense reorganization plan and include the rules deemed useful to combat increasingly hateful crime.”
