The 17th of March in Rome more or less 30000 people attended the demonstration against the war, the military bases and for the withdrawal of the Italian troops from Afghanistan and all the war fronts.

The protest was organised by many organisations and the network of Italian movements against the war, in the framework of the call of Nairobi WSF for a global day against war around the anniversary of Iraq invasion, and taking in account that the 27th of March the Italian Parliament and Prodi's government are going to vote on the war funding again, Afghanistan at first place. That's why COBAS called all people sharing the dream of peace and justice to attend in a massive way our demo.

The movement against Vicenza's new military base represented a turning point against the war policies of our government, for a new season of struggles able to break Prodi's government complicity with permanent war.
The imposition of Vicenza's USA military base and of taking part in the Afghanistan war is a choice against people's will and also a strategy in favour of war, on the same wavelength with USA and Nato: a policy that is said to be "multi-lateral" but that is simply a war policy, motivated by the wish to make Italy a "small -great" power, facilitating the growth of its financial holding throughout the World.

Prodi’s second time round government, who was set on foot with the further help of the right, challenges openly all movements and above all, the government clashes with the anti-war movement, declaring its complete loyalty to the USA and the NATO, and supporting the war missions and the new Vicenza's military base.

The illusion of a "friendly" government is failing and, for those who love peace, is growing the responsibility of a new social opposition to war policies. For that, it has been a great success to have 30000 people in the streets of Rome, without the "left" parties, trade unions and associations which take part or support the "frendly government" of Prodi, DS, Margherita, Prc, Pdci, Verdi and so on.

We'll be again in front of the Parliament in Rome on the 27th of March We will strongly request the Members of Parliament to vote against the decree and the refinancing of the mission in Afghanistan.

* Immediate withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan and from all war fronts. Closure of all USA and NATO military bases. Against military
expenditures. Support the resistance of struggling people, from Vicenza to all occupied territories and invaded countries.

Source: Confederazione COBAS - Italy