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(NATO) The Italian Minister of Defence, Ignazio La Russa, along with the Italian Chief of Defence, General Vincenzo Camporini, and Italian Joint Operational Commander, Lieutenant General Giuseppe Valotto, visited the Italian troops deployed in Regional Command West. This visit is the first for Mr. La Russa after he recently took over his duty as Minister of Defence. Once his plane landed at Herat airport, the Italian defence minister was welcomed by RC-W Commander Brigadier General Francesco Arena and rendered with honours by a national joint platoon. Minister La Russa came in RC-W Headquarters just for a short call with Brigadier General Arena and then he went on to address the Italian troops. “Every day you are doing something really important for the peace and the reconstruction of this unfortunate country, something useful for building up and consolidating a stable and secure environment,” he stated in front of all Italian troops lining up and continued, “Italian people are proud of your work, and I am here today on their behalf to bring to you this national feeling of gratitude. Let me thank you whilst wearing your uniform just for a while. I would like you to think of me as one of you in this moment.“ After having lunch at the Italian dining facility, the defence minister flew to Farah to meet Italian troops deployed there and finally to Kabul to continue his official visit to the Italian contingent. |
