Text of report by Italian leading privately-owned centre-right newspaper Corriere della Sera, on 19 November

[Report by Giuliano Gallo: "La Russa Reassures Israel: We Will Not Reduce the Troops in Lebanon"]

Jerusalem - Drones, state-of-the-art robots, and "jammers" (in other words, electronic disturbance devices capable of preventing a bomb from being primed): In a base close to the Gaza Strip, hidden from the prying eyes of television cameras and journalists, the [Italian] defence minister had come to inspect the latest jewels of Israeli military technology, which Italy may soon buy (compatibly with its meagre defence budget). "We are interested in everything that may be of assistance to our troops' safety, in Afghanistan and throughout the world," the minister explained. The Italian industry has been cooperating with the Israeli industry for some time now, particularly in the field of extremely sophisticated electronics: An agreement regulating cooperation between the two countries was signed by former [Israeli] Defence Minister Mofaz and by [Italian Prime Minister] Berlusconi on 16 June 2003.

La Russa met with his counterpart [Israeli Defence Minister] Yehud Baraq in Tel Aviv and with [Israeli] Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem. With Baraq he discussed not only weaponry but also Italy's mission in Lebanon: A few weeks ago the Israeli Government informally put it about that it would like to see a six- month extension to Italy's command, entrusted to General Claudio Graziano. The Israelis have waxed polemical over the Italian general's handling of the situation in the past, but in October they made a 180-degree change of course: There is too much instability on the border, but above all, there is not much confidence in the Spanish (who are due to take over command of the UNIFIL [UN Interim Force in Lebanon] mission). So please let Graziano stay on.

"I told Baraq that it is our intention to have Spain take over from us," La Russa explained, adding: "The United Nations will decide on the most opportune moment, which as far as we are concerned can even be at the very moment the mandate expires." So there is to be a change, but without the troop reduction that Italy has been hinting at over the past few months. "There will be no unilateral reduction in the number of troops," the minister said reassuringly.

He met with Netanyahu after paying a visit to the Yad Vashem, the museum of the Holocaust. The Italian minister (and, of course, the prime minister) said "no" to any unilateral declaration of Palestinian independence, while Netanyahu said "yes" to "a resumption of the peace process," La Russa explained after their talks. This, just as the news agencies were reporting US "consternation" over Israel's decision to authorize further settlements in the territories.