Italy is eager to establish the truth of the Enrica Lexie incident.
Right after my appointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs in the new Italian government led by Prime Minister Monti, we set ourselves the objective to relaunch relations with India, the world's largest democracy and a natural partner for Italy, in political terms, as well as in the field of trade and investment and in the people-to-people dimension. This is the driving reason behind my visit to India. I trust that it will contribute to bring our partnership to an even higher level.
Our ties could be well defined as “civilizational.” In this same spirit, I wish to convey my condolences and sorrow for the death of two fishermen, in the recent tragic event off the coast of Kerala. Even while we may differ on the jurisdiction to be applied, we are clearly eager to closely cooperate with the Indian authorities to establish the truth.
As peoples who live by the sea, both Indians and Italians strongly feel the loss of two fishermen who went out to sea that day, just as any other day, to do their job and support their families. Together with my fellow citizens, hundreds of Indian sailors do the same thing every day on Italian ships all over the world; 19 of them are crew members of the “Enrica Lexie.” Indian and Italian sailors together have been kept hostage in Somalia for months: the recent release of the crew of the ship “Savina Caylyn” came after months of relentless efforts by the Italian government. In fact, to prevent the repetition of such ordeals, the Italian marines were assigned on duty on board the “Enrica Lexie,” within the framework and the rules provided by the United Nations and international law. That is why we are so keen to find a solution to this special case at the soonest.
Joint stakes
Today, piracy is a common enemy. It is a menace we need to fight in close cooperation and with the strongest determination, if we want sailors to continue to navigate the seas safely.
Piracy is just one of the common challenges of a changing world. One more reason to be committed to enhancing the relationship between India and Italy. Our two countries are highly committed members of the international community. We are both members of the G20. We share an equal commitment to the values of democracy and respect for human rights. There is much we can do together to foster these values. We are among the largest contributors of troops to U.N. peace-keeping operations. We both have high stakes in maintaining security and stability, at the regional and at the global levels.
Moreover, today, 1,20,000 Indians are welcome members of the Italian society, the largest Indian community in Continental Europe. This is an additional bridge which further unites our countries and will contribute to a prosperous common future.
Our willingness to forge new ties rests also on a unique convergence of economic interests. Last year, despite the global crisis, bilateral trade has grown by a robust 24 per cent and the performance of Indian exports to Italy — with a 30 per cent increase — has been particularly impressive. Italy is Europe's fourth largest economy and Europe's second largest manufacturing country. Under Prime Minister Monti's leadership, we have launched the most comprehensive market reforms plan in Italy's recent history. Unprecedented opportunities are now available for long term partnerships between our governments and industries in some of the areas crucial to India's performance as a global industrial powerhouse: infrastructure, automotive, energy, agro-food technologies, textile and industrial design and defence. People-to-people contacts are equally important. Ninety thousand Italian tourists visited India last year; an equal, or larger number of Indian tourists were welcomed in Italy. We want to promote the unimpeded flow of talent and ideas between our two Countries, giving further impulse to the exchange of students and to joint academic ventures.
History
Italy and India have a long tradition of contacts and mutual influences, dating back to 2,000 years. Trade between India and Italy was already flourishing in the First and Second Century A.D. Roman authors such as Pliny the Elder or Curtius Rufus offered Europe the first glimpses of India's culture, customs and wealth. In the Middle Ages, the Silk Route and the Spice Route brought a host of Italian merchants and travellers to India. Their diaries and chronicles make a very interesting reading even today, often expressing sentiments of empathy and affinity between our peoples. It is also significant that the first steps taken by the great poet Tagore on European soil was in Italy, as a 17-year-old. He landed in Brindisi, illuminated by the moonlight. We have a rich common past. But the future is before us, open to new avenues for cooperation, in a world that is fast becoming more integrated and interconnected. We can work together for a better life for future generations.
(Giulio Terzi is Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy.)
Keywords: Enrica Lexie incident, India-Italy ties
I would like to see the statements given by the Captain of the ship with regard to
1. Who had final authority on the vessel- the Capatin or the Marines with regard to firing their weapons
2. What log entry has been made prior to and immediately after the firing
3. How many rounds were fired by the Marines (there always have to be a record of this on the ships offical log book)
4. Who did the Captain report to immediately after the firing
5. Was any alarm sounded to the Indian Navy/ Indian Coast Guard by the Captain between the time of sighting of the "suspect" vessel & the firing
6. Does the ship not have a fog horn/ ships booming horn that can be heard maybe 2 miles away. Was it used
7. Was emergency stations called getting the entire crew out to repel a "pirate attack" at 1600
8. What were the ports of calls of the vessel before this incident and were the arms/ammo declared to the authorites of those ports
9. Were the marines part of the crew in the crew list
Pls.tell us
I am glad to see that all the Italian voices in the comments section
show lot of respect for Indian justice system and their trust in
Indian law enforcement system.Perhaps we should leave it to Indian courts decide what punishment, if any, should be given to the Italian sailors.
It will also greatly help the image of Italy if they stop 1. Trying to influence India/Kerala democratically elected governments thru the church networks. 2. Try to play blood-money to the families of fishermen in lieu of law-of-land. India is not an Islamic nation.
It was not a premeditated crime.
The ship returned to face enquiry in India of her own accord. We could have done nothing to get her back had it sped on towards the gulf. Had the Italian state no faith in India's sense of justice, they would have told Enrica to proceed without looking back. India may have done the same, if the tragedy occured along the shores of an unjust government.
Anger and Emotions are perfectly expected here but as a sixth of humanity, India needs to have a clinical approach to law and legality. Especially when dealing with a civilized equal such as Italy.
The minister's message is appreciated.
I am the wife of the Second Engineer who was sailing on the Italian
oil tanker MV Savina Caylyn, held by Somali pirates for 11 months. During captivity, my husband faced several near death situations and brutal torture. Every Indian government official I approached asked me to go and seek help from the Italians. AND THE ITALIANS DID HELP !! - The Italian Foreign Ministry, the Italian ship owner and especially the Italian Navy went out of their way to release the Indians. The pirate group holding the MV Savina Caylyn had no intention of releasing the 17 Indians and wanted to trade them for the Somali prisoners in India. My husband and the other Indians would not have returned, had it not been for the safety and protection provided by the Italian navy on the day of the release.
While saying the above, it is sad that two of my countrymen lost their lives. But this incident needs to be handled factually and not dramatically.
One of the democracy's lesson is that is not possible to treat some people as guilty until they are not been judged by a court. As italian, I wish to express my condolences for the death of two men. But, I would invite every individual indian, first than yours judges, to evaluate these facts without be influenced by politicians. Was the "Enrica Lexie" in the international sea? May the answer to this question solve every doubts about the incident? This is a great chance for India to demonstrate and to confirm towards international community that It is the Biggest democracy in the world.
The ambassador's effort in tackling this issue is commendable. My view is that the death of the fisherman can and should be handled through judicial venue rather than making this into an outsized incident. There must be clear methods for adjudicating an incident like this, without going through political and diplomatic routes.
Those who are quick to judge the sailors should also consider whether the fisherman have some modicum of education in the rules of engagement in the sea. How about licensing the fisherman so that they have to learn what to do about getting close to large ships. While I understand this might sound like blaming the victim, we all have an interest in avoiding an incident like this in the future and we need to make sure that every measure that can be taken is taken.
The ambassador's effort in tackling this issue is commendable. My view is that the death of the fisherman can and should be handled through judicial venue rather than making this into an outsized incident. There must be clear methods for adjudicating an incident like this, without going through political and diplomatic routes.
Those who are quick to judge the sailors should also consider whether the fisherman have some modicum of education in the rules of engagement in the sea. How about licensing the fisherman so that they have to learn what to do about getting close to large ships. While I understand this might sound like blaming the victim, we all have an interest in avoiding an incident like this in the future and we need to make sure that every measure that can be taken is taken.
The ambassador's effort in tackling this issue is commendable. My view is that the death of the fisherman can and should be handled through judicial venue rather than making this into an outsized incident. There must be clear methods for adjudicating an incident like this, without going through political and diplomatic routes.
Those who are quick to judge the sailors should also consider whether the fisherman have some modicum of education in the rules of engagement in the sea. How about licensing the fisherman so that they have to learn what to do about getting close to large ships. While I understand this might sound like blaming the victim, we all have an interest in avoiding an incident like this in the future and we need to make sure that every measure that can be taken is taken.
Agree with you on every front.
But, please don't overlap things. Our trade and civilisational heritage
can flourish independent of this incident.
Whatever is given I totally agree with it. We had our glorifying past.
We are doing good in our present relationship and trying it to be more intense in future. But we can go beyond law in this kind of cases. It is not only the matter of country but also of citizen of India. If Italy thinks that we are going to have good future than this type of cases should not effect our relationship. Let it go via law and don't let our relationship come in the way.
Again, there is more evidence that the "shooting" was coming from another vessel..
The simple question: "how is it possible that bursts of machine gun fired from about 40 meters in height - this is the firing position on the bridge of Enrica Lexie - had hit the roof of the stern on the inside of the St. Antony, leaving it completely integrates the coverage??"
In Italy everyone saw these images - journalists were allowed on the fishing boat St. Antony - why they are not shown in India?
Moreover, GPS data shows that Erica Lexie was exactly into international waters (not Indian ones); are these data not showed in India as well?
If so, why?
In my opinion, Indian autorities rushed too quickly to an easy conclusion fro political reasons
The Italian seems to be at pain to explain how great they are and the
anger in a 'third world country' trying their soldiers. So much was told
about the 'warning shots' through out this Italian summer of lies,
however no mention on why no evasive action was taken by the vessel, no
water jets used and not reporting the incident to the maritime
authority.
Imagine if this incident occured at the same distance off the coast of Italy. Indian soldiers accompanying an Indian ship shoot a couple of Italian fishermen. Wont you try them in your courts?
Italy should have trained its marines on the Enrica to a much
better level.A joint investigation by both nations will reveal the
truth. This issue must be a good lesson to be learnt by all future
anti piracy missions.
Dear Foreign Minister Terzi, While I appreciate the effort you have taken to pen this piece eulogizing the close relationship between India and Italy, your piece focuses a bit too much on the 'grand riches of Italy' and 'what India stands to gain'(if it only finds a way to forgive these two Italian 'suspects' in the shooting deaths of Indian fishermen). While the carrot you dangle before Indians may seem very tantatlizing to you, Indians are NOT as eager to dine at the Italian table as you seem to imagine. YOu harping about the 'unprecedented opportunities' unfolding in Italy and how much India stands to gain by having a hand in the Italian cookie jar, is exactly what is wrong with the Italian response to this sorry episode. Right from the beginning of this episode, the Italian government unleashed its diplomats and media blaming India for doing nothing about 'Indian pirates', with veiled threats about India missing out on 'business' with Italy. Sorry that approach wont work.
Agreed. We can pursue trade and all other things idependantly of this crime. The law of our land has to deal with this killing. Please do not obstruct law enforcement. Past, present and future relationships need not be put to stake on this one issue.
Please Email the Editor