L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 2023 www.italoamericano.org 24 L'Italo-Americano NEWS & FEATURES TOP STORIES PEOPLE EVENTS Continued from page 22 scandals to dominate politics for decades." This was fol- lowed by a six-author article that began, "The flamboyant billionaire and former Italian p r i m e m i n i s t e r w h o o n c e d e s c r i b e d h i m s e l f a s t h e 'Jesus Christ of politics', has died at a Milan hospital at the age of 86." Just a few lines later, it states, "The p o l i t i c i a n , w h o w a s l o n g regarded as Italy's most col- orful public figure, was elect- e d p r i m e m i n i s t e r t h r e e times and served for a total of nine years, longer than any- o n e s i n c e f a s c i s t d i c t a t o r Benito Mussolini. Affection- ately nicknamed 'Il Cava- liere' (The Knight), his career was marked by a series of political, financial and per- s o n a l s c a n d a l s , m a n y o f which landed him in court. H e w a s t r i e d o n c h a r g e s ranging from tax evasion and bribery to corruption and having sex with an underage prostitute. But only one case stuck – a 2012 conviction for tax evasion in a deal involv- ing television rights." T h e N e w Y o r k Times titled its long article: "Silvio Berlusconi, a show- man who upended Italian politics and culture, dies at 86. He introduced sex and glamour to Italian TV and then brought the same for- mula to politics, dominating the country and its culture for more than 20 years." The Bloomberg Group: " S i l v i o B e r l u s c o n i , I t a l y leader mired in scandal, dies at 86. Billionaire business- man served nine years as p r i m e m i n i s t e r . C a r e e r m a r k e d b y c r i s e s , g r a f t probes, 'bunga bunga' par- ties." Time begins the article writing: "Silvio Berlusconi, the boastful billionaire media m o g u l w h o w a s I t a l y ' s l o n g e s t - s e r v i n g p r e m i e r despite scandals over his sex- fueled parties and allegations of corruption, died Monday. He was 86." The Economist in the "Obituary-A complicated love affair" section titles: "Silvio Berlusconi was Italy's great s e d u c e r . T h e r e p u b l i c ' s longest-serving prime minis- ter, who was dogged by scan- dal, has died aged 86." Berlusconi, whom the Ger- man press called "Europe's first populist," always had a strong bond with the United States. Besides his speech at Capitol Hill during the state visit to Washington in March 2006, which received three standing ovations, his per- sonal friendship with George W. Bush is well-known. "He was a dynamic leader. Laura and I were fortunate to spend t i m e w i t h h i m d u r i n g m y presidency. There was never a dull moment with Silvio." In his note, the former US president emphasized that "he strengthened the friend- ship between Italy and the United States, and we are grateful for his support to our alliance." M e l S e m b l e r w a s ambassador to Rome during Bush Jr's first administra- tion, in the difficult times of 9/11 and US military inter- ventions in Afghanistan and Iraq, and when hopes for cooperation with Russia were h i g h . W h e n i n t e r v i e w e d by La Repubblica, he said: "Berlusconi helped the Unit- ed States during one of the most difficult times in our history. This is a memory of him that outweighs every- thing else and will remain with us forever. But I am also convinced his successors will continue on the same path of friendship and collaboration with Europe and America, which are the pillars of Italy's foreign policy." B e r l u s c o n i ' s A m e r i c a n relations, from Bill Clinton to Bush Jr to Barack Obama, covered 24 years of Atlantic history and brought three G7 a n d G 8 s u m m i t s t o I t a l y . Upon learning of the news, t h e W h i t e H o u s e s p o k e s - w o m a n , K a r i n e J e a n - Pierre, said: "We offer our condolences to the family and friends of the former Prime Minister, to the gov- ernment and the people of Italy for his passing. Italy is a long-time friend and ally of the United States and the Prime Minister worked close- ly with several US adminis- trations to advance our bilat- eral relations. We stand by the Italian people on the day that marks the passing of its former Prime Minister." US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, began the sched- uled press conference with I t a l i a n F o r e i g n Minister Antonio Tajani, who was visiting Washing- ton, offering "condolences for the passing of Prime Minister Berlusconi. I'm thinking of you, I'm thinking of Italian people." But Berlusconi also had a c l o s e r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h Egyptian President Mubarak, Tunisian Ben Ali, Algerian B o u t e f l i k a , a n d G a d d a f i , whom he welcomed to Rome with great honors on the eve of the Arab Spring. In March 2011, he tried until the end to oppose NATO intervention in Libya, convinced that over- throwing the dictatorship was dangerous for the stabili- ty of the entire area. Sic tran- s i t g l o r i a m u n d i w a s h i s comment on Gaddafi's death. A s a n e n t r e p r e n e u r , Berlusconi revolutionized the world of communication and sport. He was a songwriter, a l o v e r o f g o o d l i f e , a n d a defendant in 36 trials, 4 of which still ongoing. He was hospitalized multiple times for significant ailments, but known for his keenness on cosmetic touch-ups to safe- guard his public image. He admitted (despite the long series of judicial troubles and political ups and downs from the 1980s onwards) to having overcome "the most danger- ous test of life" by defeating Covid 19, an "infernal dis- ease." A multifaceted figure who also made headlines in the m a i n R u s s i a n m e d i a . Equally well-known was his friendship with Vladimir P u t i n ( a f a m o u s p h o t o shows them smiling together, wearing fur hats in a Russian dacha). Their connection was born at the G8 in Genoa in 2001, cemented at Pratica di Mare in 2002, and nurtured by frequent meetings, gifts for their respective birthdays, a n d v a c a t i o n s t o g e t h e r . Putin, in his message of con- dolences to the Italian Presi- dent, wrote: "For me, Silvio was a dear person and a true friend." Later, in a televised interview, he added: "He did a lot for the establishment of p a r t n e r s h i p a n d f r i e n d l y relations between Russia and the countries of Europe and for relations with the Euro- Atlantic alliance," working towards the creation of "rele- vant mechanisms of collabo- ration." The pro-Kremlin newspa- per Izvestiya highlighted that from 1994, when Berlus- coni first became Prime Min- ister, to 2013, trade between Italy and Russia increased from 4.4 billion dollars to 53 billion. The financial news- paper Vedomosti, remember- ing that the Russian leader was a guest in Berlusconi's villa in Sardinia, also empha- sized Berlusconi's critical stance towards the uncondi- tional support of Western governments for Kyiv in the Ukrainian conflict. Condolences arrived on Twitter from UN Secretary- General Antonio Guterres. " S a d d e n e d b y t h e n e w s , " writes the spokesperson's account, "he sends sincere condolences to the people and government of Italy, as well as to the family." The s a m e c h a n n e l w a s u s e d b y C h r i s t i n e L a g a r d e , President of the European Central Bank, "He was a sig- nificant figure in Italian poli- t i c s f o r s e v e r a l d e c a d e s . " E u r o p e a n C o u n c i l P r e s i - dent Charles Michel wrote, "He was a member of the European Council for almost nine years," and European C o m m i s s i o n P r e s i d e n t Ursula von der Leyen, "He led Italy at a time of political transition and has c o n t i n u e d t o s h a p e h i s b e l o v e d c o u n t r y s i n c e then." Roberta Metsola, the President of the Euro- p e a n P a r l i a m e n t , w h o belongs to his same political a l i g n m e n t , t h e E u r o p e a n People's Party, remembered "the fighter who led the cen- ter-right and who was a pro- tagonist of politics in Italy and Europe for generations. He left his mark and will not be forgotten. Thank you, Sil- vio." A telegram to the eldest of his 5 children conveyed the condolences of Pope Fran- cis, who was informed of the d e a t h d u r i n g h i s p o s t - surgery convalescence in the h o s p i t a l . " H i s H o l i n e s s invokes from the Lord eter- nal peace for him and conso- lation of the heart for those who mourn his departure," wrote Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin. Among the first messages was that of the President of t h e R e p u b l i c S e r g i o Mattarella: "I receive with deep sadness the news of the death of Silvio Berlusconi, founder and leader of Forza Italia, a protagonist of long seasons of Italian politics and r e p u b l i c a n i n s t i t u t i o n s . Berlusconi was a great politi- cal leader who marked the h i s t o r y o f o u r R e p u b l i c , influencing paradigms, cus- toms, and languages." Pre- mier Giorgia Meloni, his ally in the incumbent govern- ment, said in a video mes- sage: "He was above all a fighter, he was a man who was never afraid to defend his convictions and it was e x a c t l y t h a t c o u r a g e a n d d e t e r m i n a t i o n t h a t m a d e him one of the most influen- tial men in Italian history, allowing him to make real changes in the world of poli- tics, communication, and business." He was the charis- m a t i c " p r o t a g o n i s t o f 5 0 years of Italian history," for- mer Prime Minister and for- mer governor of Bankitalia a n d t h e E C B M a r i o Draghi said. In 2013 Berlusconi, who remained somehow an out- sider also for his spectacular a n d o u t - o f - l i n e g e s t u r e s , gaffes, sexist jokes, and polit- ically incorrect behavior, said in a radio broadcast: "The epitaph I would like on my tomb when I go? My mother dictated it to me once and it is this: 'he was a good and righteous man'." But, per- haps, it's a joke he told in 2 0 1 7 d u r i n g a F o r z a Italia convention that best describes his joyful spirit: "When Berlusconi ascended to heaven, the Eternal Father wanted to meet him immedi- ately. But his interview lasted much longer than the usual t h r e e m i n u t e s . W h e n h e f i n a l l y c a m e o u t a f t e r 2 h o u r s , w i t h a h a n d o n Berlusconi's shoulder, the souls heard: 'Silvio, your idea to turn Paradise into a joint- stock company and list it on the Stock Exchange appealed to me a lot'. While everyone w a s a l r e a d y l a u g h i n g , h e a d d e d : " T h e r e ' s j u s t o n e thing I don't understand: w h y s h o u l d I b e t h e v i c e president?". Berlusconi revolutionized the world of communication and sport. He was a songwriter, a lover of good life and "Europe's first populist,"according to the German press. But he's also been a defendant in 36 trials, 4 of which still ongoing

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