United Nations: UN General Assembly President John Ashe has informed Italy that he will try and raise with India the issue of the two Italian marines who are being tried for killing two Indian fishermen during his three-day visit that begins on Wednesday.
Italy’s deputy Prime Minister and interior minister Angelino Alfano met Mr Ashe here on Monday and “briefed him on the situation of the two-year-old case of the marines.
“In response, president Ashe informed the minister that in the course of his imminent state visit to India, he will be alert for whatever opportunity presents itself to raise the issue,” a statement issued by Mr Ashe’s spokesperson said. Mr Ashe will visit India from March 19-22, during which he is expected to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and external affairs minister Salman Khurshid.
Mr Alfano had also met UN chief Ban Ki-moon but according to information provided by the office of Mr Ban’s spokesperson, there was no mention of the issue of the Italian marines and their trial during the meeting.
A readout provided by Mr Ban’s office about the meeting said the Secretary-General “called on Italy to ensure that refugees crossing the Mediterranean are treated with dignity and that the principle of non-refoulement is respected.
Ahead of the meeting, Mr Alfano had said that Italy is willing to try the mar-ines “at home, but in the meantime we ask for their freedom.”
