The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Wednesday warned Italy of consequences for bilateral ties if it does not send back two marines facing trial in the country in the killing of two Indian fishermen. Saying that bilateral relationship has to function on the basis of trust , Dr. Singh accused Italy of violating every rule of diplomatic discourse and termed as unacceptable its decision not to send back the accused marines Massimiliano Lattore and Salvatore Girone.
In a strongly-worded statement in both Houses of Parliament, where government came under attack on the issue, he urged the Italian authorities to respect the undertaking given to the Supreme Court.
The two marines were permitted by the Supreme Court on February 22nd to go to Italy for four weeks to cast their votes in general elections following a written assurance by Italian Ambassador Daniele Mancini that they will return by March 22nd.
While the Prime Minister promised that the government will pursue through diplomatic channels the efforts to bring the marines back to India, Mancini insisted his country has not gone back on its assurance to the Supreme Court. Talking to reporters in Delhi on Wednesday, the Ambassador, however, argued that Italy was not going back on the assurance. Mancini also said Italy wants to resolve the marines issue by consensual means and that it had even put a number of proposals, some of them in the last few days.
Asked if the Italian Ambassador will be given marching orders in view of breach of assurance by him, Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai said, that the government has made its position very clear and was awaiting the response. He said, as soon as the response is received, a decision will be taken.
The Indian Supreme Court had on February 22nd said the marines are only allowed to travel to Italy and remain there and will have to return to India before the expiry of the four-week deadline.The two marines were on board the Italian vessel 'Enrica Lexie', when they had allegedly shot dead the two fishermen on February 15th, last year.
