Italian Premier Urges U.S. to Keep Troops in Europe
Italian Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti on Wednesday encouraged the United States to remain bound to Europe by keeping troops there as a guarantee of stability.
Andreotti, addressing a joint session of Congress, also said a reunited Germany must be anchored in the 16-nation North Atlantic Treaty Organization and bound by internationally recognized border agreements.
The Italian leader discussed the future of a united Germany and European concerns about the merger at White House talks Tuesday with President Bush.
Andreotti, who is serving as prime minister for the sixth time, was greeted with a prolonged standing ovation in Congress.
The theme of his speech was the changing face of Europe--one with reduced superpower arsenals, democratic governments throughout and an improved quality of life for its inhabitants.
“The real issue today is how can we encourage change in the East without provoking repercussions that would stop its impetus,” Andreotti said.
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