From mourning to clarity” “

The terrorist attack on the Italian contingent in Iraq, at Nassiriya, which caused the death of 19 Italians and 9 Iraqis, has aroused shock and indignation throughout Europe. Apart from Italy, other European countries have troops engaged in peacekeeping operations in Iraq. Below we present some declarations on the attack and a reflection on the implications that the ever more difficult situation in Iraq has on dialogue between Christianity and Islam. Condolences. Unanimous condolences have been expressed by all the countries of the Union, several of which are directly involved in post-war operations in Iraq. “The attack on the Italian forces – said Graham Watson, leader of the liberal-democratic group in the Parliament in Strasbourg – demonstrates the importance of European solidarity in response to the threats of terrorism”. The same reaction was expressed in Warsaw, where the funeral of the first Polish soldier to die in post-Saddam Iraq was held on Tuesday. For its part, the Portuguese government, in expressing its solidarity with Italy, confirmed on Wednesday that it would “maintain its decision to send troops to the Middle East; namely, 128 soldiers of the National Guard, who will be integrated in the force under the Anglo-Italian command”. Expressions of solidarity with Italy also came from Great Britain and the Netherlands, both countries present in Iraq ever since the beginning of the war. In particular, British premier Tony Blair declared that “the worst of errors we could commit would be to withdraw from the front just at this time; we need to complete the work we have begun and provide further help to the Iraqi people”. Messages of condolence have arrived from the President of the European Commission, Romano Prodi, from the President of the European Parliament Pat Cox, and from the high representative for EU foreign policy Javier Solana. The Italian contingent is one of the largest in Iraq, next in size after that of the USA and the UK: a total of 2,400 troops are involved in operation Ancient Babylon, men and women of the army, navy, air force and carabinieri. The main activity is that of controlling the territory of the southern province of Dhi Qar. A reflection. The ever more explosive situation in Iraq, and more generally throughout the Middle East, also has negative effects on dialogue between Christianity and Islam. So said Hans Vocking, co-moderator for the CCEE of the “Islam in Europe” Committee, following the terrorist attack on the Italian military base at Nassiriya. “The meeting between Christians and Muslims – says Vocking – is undoubtedly conditioned by the fact that in some areas of the Moslem world there’s a state of war, as for example in Palestine. Dialogue also feels the impact of the presence of Western troops in countries which coincide with Islam’s holiest places, such as Mecca and Medina, which have a great symbolic value for Muslims”. The risk is that dangerous generalizations will be drawn on the Moslem side. That’s why – adds Vocking – “it’s very important for Muslims to ascertain the attitude of Christians towards them. Even before the war in Iraq broke out, the Holy Father took a very clear and very determined stance against the war and against any form of armed conflict. Especially now we realise how important these words have been precisely to clear the field of the meeting between the two communities of any misunderstandings”. On the Christian side, it’s the “distortions” of the conception of religion in some circles of Islam that are causing concern. “We still await – explains the CCEE representative – far more than Muslims have done so far to clearly spell out what Islam says on these questions, and especially on terrorism. We know, however, that in Europe a process of internal debate within the Moslem world is underway and that we cannot expect from so multi-faceted an Islam a position as clear and unequivocal as that expressed by the Catholic Church with the Pope”.