Italian who blasted US over Haiti quits in graft probe - Summary

Wed, 10 Feb 2010

Rome - Italy's top rescue official who recently sparked a diplomatic spat when he criticized US-led rescue efforts in Haiti announced his resignation Wednesday - after being informed he is under investigation in a corruption probe. Guido Bertolaso said he informed Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi that he was stepping down as head of the Italy's Civil Protection services and as undersecretary in the premier's office.

His decision to quit was taken "so as not to hinder the work of the investigating organs," Bertolaso was quoted as saying by the ANSA news agency. He also said he wanted to be interrogated by prosecutors as soon as possible.

But during a cabinet meeting in Rome, Berlusconi indicated he will turn down Bertolaso's resignation request.

Berlusconi "is convinced that Bertolaso will clarify everything," aide to the premier, Gianni Letta said.

Bertolaslo "is marginally involved in an investigation that focuses on other people," Letta added.

Earlier Wednesday four people including a senior public works official, Angelo Balducci, were arrested in connection with the probe.

The investigation centers on tender contracts for the construction of conference facilities at La Maddalena, an island off Sardinia which was initially chosen to host the 2009 Group of Eight (G8) summit.

Following a devastating earthquake in L'Aquila in April 2009, Berlusconi decided to switch the G8 summit venue there to raise the profile of reconstruction efforts.

During a January visit to Haiti, Bertolaso, who led rescue efforts in L'Aquila, criticized what he described as the rudderless and "military," nature of US earthquake assistance to the Caribbean nation.

Bertolaso's criticism embarrassed the Italian government as it came just hours before a meeting in Washington between US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini.

Berlusconi distanced himself from Bertolaso's remarks, but subsequently said the rescue services chief was in line for a ministerial appointment.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/308543,italian-who-blasted-us-over-haiti-quits-in-graft-probe.html.