Italy: In an atmosphere of sadness tinged with anger, Italy yesterday paid tribute to Nicola Calipari, the secret service agent killed last Friday in Baghdad by US soldiers, just minutes after he had secured the release of kidnapped Italian journalist Giuliana Sgrena.
On Sunday more than 100,000 people had filed past Mr Calipari's coffin as it lay in state at Rome's Vittoriano monument. Yesterday hundreds more lined the streets as the funeral cortege made its way to the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli where he was honoured with a state funeral which was broadcast live on state TV. Bystanders applauded as the coffin, draped in the Italian flag, was lifted from the hearse and carried into the basilica.
Among those who attended were Italian state president Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, prime minister Silvio Berlusconi and the US ambassador to Italy, Mel Sembler. Ms Sgrena, the journalist whose life Nicola Calipari saved when he threw himself over her as the shooting began, could not attend the funeral because she is still in a Rome hospital recovering from a bullet wound in the shoulder.
As a military guard of honour stood to attention by the coffin, President Ciampi offered his condolences to Rosa Calipari, widow of the slain agent, and to her two children, 19-year-old Silvia and 13-year-old Filippo.
Among those to pay tribute to Mr Calipari was cabinet under-secretary Gianni Letta, the man who along with the dead agent had co-ordinated the negotiations leading to the release last Friday of Ms Sgrena. Addressing the packed basilica, Mr Letta said: "You, Nicola, did not just free Giuliana and then save her life. You did not just set an example of courage. Nor did you just carry out delicate operations in the dramatic context of Iraq. You did not just defy certain cliches about the state and its secret services. You did more, you gave back to all of Italy a sense of trust."
Controversy and confusion continue to surround the precise circumstances of the Baghdad shooting. On Sunday White House communications director Dan Bartlett told CNN TV that it was fundamentally important to know the facts before making judgments.
Earlier US military authorities had described the incident as an "unfortunate mistake", claiming that the car was speeding close to a military checkpoint and that soldiers opened fire on the vehicle only after firing warning shots, using hand signals and flashing lights at it, in an attempt to stop it.
In a series of interviews, Ms Sgrena has rejected this version of events, saying that "there was no bright light and no signal", going on to suggest that she herself might have been the target of a planned ambush.
Although there has been no official confirmation of a ransom having been paid, weekend Italian media reports speculate that the government may have paid €6-€8 million to Islamic Jihad Organisation, the militant group that held Ms Sgrena for a month.
Confusion surrounding the shooting grew with the testimony of the other person in the car last Friday night, namely the driver, also an Italian secret services operative.
Questioned by Rome-based investigating magistrates, he reportedly claimed that the US military authorities were fully informed of the operation.
For the time being the Italian magistrates have dismissed speculation about an ambush but they have, however, sought the co-operation of US military authorities. In particular, they want to know just how many US checkpoints were passed by the Toyota Corolla in which Ms Sgrena and Mr Calipari were travelling before the shooting began.
Furthermore, they want to obtain Mr Calipari's satellite mobile phone, which could contain important information about the calls made by the agent just prior to the shooting and which is believed to be in the possession of the US military.
Also, they want to understand why Mr Calipari chose to carry out the operation at night and why he opted to travel straight to the airport rather than to the Italian embassy.
Centre-left opposition forces will hope that both the foreign minister, Gianfranco Fini, and Mr Berlusconi will shed more light on the shooting when they address parliament, respectively today and tomorrow.
Opposition members are likely to repeat calls for the withdrawal of Italy's 3,000-strong military contingent in Iraq.