Rome, Jan 25 (LaPresse) – “An alliance is measured not by words, but by deeds – and the facts speak clearly.” This is stated in a note from SIM, the Italian Carabinieri Military Union, which “expresses firm and deep indignation at the statements made by U.S. President Donald Trump, which have gravely belittled the contribution of NATO allied countries – and therefore of Italy – in operations in Afghanistan. These are unacceptable words. Words that offend the memory of those who served in one of the toughest operational theaters of recent decades and that, with inexcusable lightness, ignore the price paid also by the Carabinieri in terms of fallen, wounded, and personal and family sacrifices.
But there is more: these statements do not only affect NATO and allied countries. They also risk harming the esprit de corps of American soldiers themselves, because anyone who has worn the uniform knows one simple and ancient truth: among comrades, respect is not a detail, it is the foundation of everything. And in Afghanistan, that respect was built on the ground, every day, side by side. We really got to know our American colleagues: during escorts, patrols, protection of the population, training, and rebuilding local security. Not in words. In deeds.
And precisely for this reason we state clearly: the Italian Carabinieri have never fallen behind. They have operated on the front lines, taking direct operational responsibility, often under extreme and high-risk conditions. To those who today try to rewrite that reality, we also recall one point that weighs like a stone: we are not the only ones saying this. It was publicly recognized by an American commander, General David Petraeus, who stated that, ‘For me, the Carabinieri are to military training what Michael Jordan is to basketball.’ Clear words, words from someone who knows the value of an ally when he sees them at work.” – the note continues – “For these reasons, SIM Carabinieri has formally sent a note of protest to the U.S. Embassy in Italy, to clearly represent the indignation of Italian Carabinieri and our members. We know well that, most likely, President Trump will never read this note. But we, as a union, have a duty that comes before everything: to defend the honor of the uniform, to protect the dignity of those who served, and to reaffirm that the sacrifice of our colleagues cannot be minimized or rewritten.
And we say with equal clarity: this stance is not against the American people and not against our comrades in the U.S. Armed Forces. With them, we have shared risks, hardships, responsibilities, and – too often – pain. Friendship among soldiers is not erased by a statement. Respect for those who served and for those who did not return home is not a political opinion: it is the foundation of every alliance and of every relationship between states that call themselves friends. SIM Carabinieri will never step back when it comes to defending the dignity, history, and sacrifice of Italian Carabinieri. And it will continue to do so in the same way that the Carabinieri have always done their duty: with heads held high, silent when necessary, but always standing tall.”