News from the Consulate
News from Italy, NIAF, & Book Review
NEWS
from Italy
Italian translation on page 16
Most Italians opposed NATO (North Atlantic Treaty
Organization) action to defend a NATO ally in the
event of an attack from Russia, but if they participate,
they, like most European nations, expect the U. S. to be a
participant. The Pew Research Center poll revealed Italy,
like France and Germany, opposes using military force
in the event of a Russian attack on a NATO ally, most
specifically, Ukraine. Some 51% of the Italian public is
opposed to military intervention compared to 58% polled
in Germany and 53% in France. The NATO treaty
provides that members are bound to defend an ally with
armed intervention if required. Forty-four percent
of the Italians oppose sending economic aid to Ukraine
and 37% oppose Ukraine joining the European Union.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - The Italian Senate is debating whether to do away with
a law, that’s been upheld since 1930, that provides for
a jail term of up to 5 years for insulting the president.
Last October, a journalist and former politico called
former President Giorgio Napoletano “unworthy”
of the job and was, consequently, sentenced to 6
months behind bars. A new proposal would not totally
abolish the proviso. A new measure would provide
that anyone caught insulting the president would
face heavy fines. Elsewhere, Turkey has a similar law,
calling for arrests of those who insult their president.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - Pope Francis has created a Vatican Tribunal to hear
priest’s child sexual abuse cases. The action comes on the
heels of demands made by victim groups. Bishops can
also be judged for failing to adequately protect children.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - The pontiff has also warned parents against the
dangers
of
computers
in
children’s
bedrooms,
making this comment after an interview in which
he said he has not watched television since 1990.
Pope Francis noted that when he wanted to know the
outcome of a soccer match, he asked a Swiss Guard.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - During his papacy, Pope Francis has shown deep interest
in the plight of Rome’s homeless, giving them sleeping
bags at winter time, tours of the Sistine Chapel, and
taking them by bus to Turin to view the Turin Shroud.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - Dr. Ignazio Scaravilli is in good condition in Tripoli
after his release in Libya, where had been held by
kidnappers since last January. He is returning to Italy.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - Mediterranean migrant crossings have topped 100,000. The
UN says more than 50,000 arrived in Italy in 2015, to date.
NIAF launches new leadership council
If you’re a follower of our works at the
National Italian American Foundation
(NIAF), over the past few months, you’ve
probably seen the acronym “IALC”
popping up in some of our literature,
including our magazine, Ambassador. For
those of you who are unaware, the IALC
represents the National Italian American
Foundation’s newest initiative for engaging
Italian Americans across the nation.
The Italian American Leadership
Council (IALC) is the latest version of a
long-successful membership concept here at
NIAF, ۙH ]