PM warns Italy of consequences, Italy justifies actions

As government came under opposition fire in Parliament over Italy's refusal to send back two of its Marines, Prime Minister Manmnohan Singh Wednesday was at his combative best as he warned Italy of “consequences” calling their actions against interests of the “bilateral relationship” even as Italy continued to justify its actions.

Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai also made it clear that they are “waiting for their (Italy's) response” and any decision over India's diplomatic relations with Italy would be taken only after that.

PM on Tuesday had told Left party MPs that Italy's action was “unacceptable” but PMO later was attempting to tone down his message. However, sources told DNA, that on Wednesday PM himself took lead and warned Italy of “consequences”.

“His idea was to first issue a suo-motu statement in the House but the Speaker persuaded him to give a statement at the end of a short duration debate for which the BJP had given a notice,” sources said.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said, “if they do not keep their word there will be consequences for our relations with Italy.”

He said that there can be “no two opinions about the actions that have been taken by the Italian government”.

“Our government has already made it clear that these actions of the Government of Italy are not acceptable. They violate every rule of diplomatic discourse and call into question solemn commitments given by accredited representatives of a sovereign government to our Supreme Court,” said Singh in his statemnent in the parliament.

“This cannot, by any standards, be in the interests of any bilateral relationship that has to function on the basis of trust. Our government has therefore insisted that the Italian authorities respect the undertakings they have given to the Supreme Court and return the two accused persons to stand trial in India,” Singh said.

“If they do not keep their word there will be consequences for our relations with Italy,” said the prime minister.

He also urged the members of the parliament to treat the matter with the seriousness that it deserves, “acting and speaking together” as the government moves forward on this issue.

India's Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai also cleared that India would wait for Italy's response.

“I think we have made our position very clear … we have conveyed to the Government of Italy that the contents of their note are completely unacceptable to us. We are waiting for their response. And as soon as their response is received, we will take a decision on what to do,” Mathai said.

India had Tuesday summoned the Italian envoy to India Daniele Mancini and conveyed to him in the strongest terms that it should ensure the return of the two marines facing trial for killing two Indian fishermen. SC had allowed the two marines to fly to Italy to vote in their national elections and return within four weeks. However, Italy refused to send the duo back.

Meanwhile, responding to uproar in India, Italy tried to justify its actions and said it is ready to negotiate the case based on international law.

“Italy did everything we could to find an acceptable solution to such case, within the framework of our strong and friendly relations with India, and Italy will continue to do so. Legal proceedings against the two Marines are still under way before the Court of Rome,” Italian diplomatic officials said in a statement.

The official said that SC's judgement on Jan 18 denied Italian jurisdiction on the case and invited both countries to engage in a common effort based upon Article 100 of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

“Italy has stated its readiness to start negotiations on such basis. Since there has been no reaction from the India in this regard we have come to the conclusion that it is appropriate to solve the legal dispute according to the international law,” the statement said.

The statement said that the “Note Verbale” sent by our embassy in New Delhi to the Ministry on March 11 is intended to give the opportunity to settle the dispute through the “consensual means” offered to the parties by the international law with the aim of defining a legally sound solution to the case.

“This is consistent with Italy’s position since we have continuously advocated a settlement of the case according to the rules of international law on jurisdiction of the flag State and on functional immunity of State organs,” the statement added.