America's image in Italy darkens on death in Iraq
By Eric J. Lyman, Special for USA TODAY
ROME — An incident in Iraq last month in which U.S. forces killed an Italian agent who had rescued an Italian journalist from hostage-takers is generating new anti-American sentiment in Italy.
Small, colorful signs critical of the United States started appearing in store windows around Rome this week. The most popular of the homemade posters resembles an Old West-style "wanted" poster. It shows the face of President Bush.
...The U.S. image has also suffered among Italy's public. Preliminary data from the new Opinioni poll to be released today show the percentage of Italians with a favorable opinion of the United States has slumped since the shooting made headlines.
"Most of the time, the number of Italians with strong or mostly favorable views of the United States is just over 50%, even though it can be much lower in the case of specific issues," said Maria Rossi, co-director of the firm. "But so far, we are seeing response rates in the low- to mid-40s." Less than 20% of Italians polled said they support the war in Iraq, Rossi said.
...In Rome's coffee bars, the shooting incident has become a popular topic. "I don't think we should be surprised that the United States' investigation finds its own soldiers innocent," said Giuliano Renzo, 78, a woodworker who was taking an afternoon coffee break Wednesday.
"The easiest thing to say is 'blame it on the Italians,' " chipped in Salvatore Cantu, 50, a tour bus driver. "In the past, we could have expected more from our friends in America. But it's all changed."
Contributing: Wire reports
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