left opposition parties and from Berlusconi's own government allies. Opposition leaders seized on what was described as "a diplomatic slap in the face" to call on Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi to withdraw Italy's 3,000 troops from Iraq. "The joint statement ... is a slap in the face of Italian diplomacy," said Green Party leader Alfonso Pecoraro Scanio. "Now the government should prepare Italy's exit strategy out of the Iraqi quagmire." Pierluigi Castagnetti of the moderate Daisy Party, also in the opposition, said Italy should at least "demand an official apology from the U.S. government". Among the agreements in the U.S.-Italian inquiry was on Calipari's conduct. The joint statement paid tribute to the agent, who, according to Sgrena, sacrificed his life by using his body to shield her from the bullets. "Our souls are saddened by his tragic death, and our loving and grateful thought goes to his family," the statement said. "Both Italy and the United States of America owe him deep and eternal gratitude." ---SP 2226 Local Time 1926 GMT
