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18:04 11.03.2017(updated 18:08 11.03.2017) Get short URL

"Since sending Italian soldiers [to Latvia] could be considered a provocation againstRussia, this move should be banned ina country that rejects war inits constitution," the petition said.

Speaking to Sputnik Italy, prominent Italian blogger Tommaso Longobardi, one ofthose who initiated the petition, said that "we created this document so that those Italians who consider this decision dangerous and unjust could express their opinion."

Longobardi recalled that the Italian Constitution clearly states that "Italy rejects war asa means ofencroaching onthe freedom ofother peoples and asa means ofresolving international conflicts."

AFP 2017/ JANEK SKARZYNSKI

An Italian soldier displays his country's new army weapon during an Army Equipment exhibition on the sideline of the NATO summit in Riga, Latvia. File photo

"Nevertheless, our government is resorting tospeculation about 'strengthening the protection ofthe eastern and central countries ofthe alliance,' using the magic word 'defense' tomask a clear provocation againstRussia," he said.

He lamented the fact that "this petition does not have legal force", butsaid that "it has a huge symbolic meaning because: people who signed the petition belong todifferent political parties."

"By signing it, they expressed their indignation overthis government initiative," Longobardi said.

"Although the Italian media did not react tothe petition, a whole array offoreign newspapers contacted me, and I must thank them forgiving me the opportunity toshare the views ofthousands ofItalians withother countries," he relayed.

"This is why I believe that the petition has justified its goal forit proved that many Italians do not agree withthe government's decision," he pointed out.

He also said that he does not share the viewpoint ofBeppe Grillo, leader ofItaly's Five Star Movement party, that the country's government allegedly seeks to "drag Italy intowar."

"I do not think that our government wants tounleash a war, rather, it simply does not have any authority outsideItaly, which is why and it has toblindly stick toNATO's policy," Longobardi added.

He also said that even though the petition will be sent toItalian President Sergio Mattarella, he is unlikely toheed the opinion ofthe Italians.

Last year, Tancredi Turco, a member ofthe Italian national parliament, told Sputnik that an announcement that Italy is set tosend its troops tojoin a NATO mission inLatvia is "an alarming sign" because the alliance continues its approach towardsRussia's border.

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New Petition Claims Italian NATO Deployment to Russian Border Unconstitutional - Sputnik International