Less money for Italian soldiers around the world. The Government approved the decree for the refinancing of missions in the second half of the year, reducing funds by 15% compared to the first six months of 2011. This was announced by ministers Ignazio La Russa and Roberto Calderoli at the end of the Council of Ministers of this morning. A compromise was therefore found with respect to the positions of the League, openly hostile to Italian military commitments abroad.
"We have achieved savings of about 15% thanks to this reduction plan - explained the Minister of Defense -, but we have not decreased the safety of our soldiers even one iota". In the first half of the year, 810 million euros were spent, while for the period July-December the funds allocated amounted to 694 million. In particular, the first three months of the mission in Libya cost Italy 142 million euros, while for the second quarter the costs were reduced to 58 million.
The Minister of Simplification added that, of the 9.250 Italian soldiers currently engaged abroad, "2.078 men will return home by the end of the year". A thousand of them are engaged in the mission in Libya. Calderoli underlined that the defense minister will present the plan for "a further rationalization of expenditure and reduction of the contingents" present abroad within the year.
