It was disappointing that England, France, and Germany will be on Obama's Europe itinerary, but Italy will not! !!!
Each of those three have the three highest GDP, and have the greatest influence in Europe.
Italy and Spain are both slightly behind in GDP, but both have less political influence. Spain historically, Italy because of the apparent political instability, And Italy's current Leadership.
Obama might had thought it would be "uncomfortable" to meet Berlusconi, since Berlusconi was King Geo. Bush's lap dog.
However,I believe it would have been wise to "charm" Berlusconi, and been a 'bold' move, and the Italians are the most Pro Obama of all European countries, and his reception would have been phenomenal.
Europe: Presidential Candidate Excludes Italy from Visit
Adronokos, Greece
July 18, 2008
Rome, 18 July (AKI) - The decision by US Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama to exclude Italy from his first high-profile visit to Europe comes as "no surprise" to experts in Rome.
Obama is scheduled to begin his trip to Europe, his first major visit abroad as a presidential candidate, this weekend. It will include Britain,France and Germany.
The US presidential candidate will also travel to the Middle East and is planning stops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"This is not good news for Italy," said Ettore Greco, the director of the Rome-based Instituto Affari Internazionali, in an interview with Adnkronos International (AKI).
Greco recognised that Obama may not have the time to include all the European capitals in his trip.
"But there is a widespread perception in the United States that these three countries [Britain, France and Germany] are the ones that count," he said. "Italy's weight in Europe has diminished."
"The previous centre-left government was divided on foreign policy issues and while it's still too early to comment on the current centre-right government [elected in April], the general impression is that it is not too good on foreign policy.
"Previous centre-right governments between 2001 and 2006 also did not have an especially enthusiastic position on European integration."
He said Italy's diminished importance was also evident in its exclusion from crucial negotiations with Iran over its nuclear programme.
The five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council — the US, Russia, China, Britain and France — plus Germany are trying to get Iran to stop enriching and reprocessing uranium. Italy is not part of this group.
"Iran is a major issue for Obama and it is understandable that he will want to discuss the issue with the leaders," said Greco.
Obama has advocated direct diplomacy with Iran as well as tougher threats of economic sanctions and strong incentives to persuade Tehran to change its behaviour.
Franco Pavoncello, a political analyst at Rome's John Cabot University, stopped short of calling Obama's European tour a snub, but noted Italy's exclusion.
"It's not flattering to Italy," Pavoncello. "It certainly is the only European G8 country that has been left out."
However Pavoncello said that there was no need to exaggerate the importance of the decision.
"Obama has limited time and limited media coverage in Europe. He probably wants to get two to three 'punches' out of this trip and not dilute it too much," he said.
Pavoncello also referred to the close relationship between the current leaders of Italy and America.
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi welcomed US President George W. Bush to Rome last month, calling him "a personal friend of mine and also a great friend of Italy" and Bush responded warmly.
Both analysts agreed that despite Italy's exclusion, Obama's trip to Europe was important for his campaign.
"Foreign policy remains his [Obama's] weakest point in the presidential campaign because his rival [Republican Senator John McCain] is an experienced figure," said Greco.
The trip will also gives Obama a chance to work on the transatlantic relationship that has suffered since the US and Europe, particularly Germany and France, disagreed over the US invasion of Iraq in 2003.
Obama brings a fresh perspective to the relationship.
"He's the new kid in town, the unknown candidate," said Pavoncello.
The Democratic candidate is already widely popular in Europe.
American media reports say polls reveal that if they could vote in the US, between 53 percent and 72 percent of the British, French and German public would pick Obama.
"It really depends on how his performance is," said Pavoncello. "He's a great speaker and a captivating man and it will certainly raise his visibility."
"But it won't necessarily help him because he's not running in Europe."
Obama is scheduled to begin his trip to Europe, his first major visit abroad as a presidential candidate, this weekend. It will include Britain,France and Germany.
The US presidential candidate will also travel to the Middle East and is planning stops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"This is not good news for Italy," said Ettore Greco, the director of the Rome-based Instituto Affari Internazionali, in an interview with Adnkronos International (AKI).
Greco recognised that Obama may not have the time to include all the European capitals in his trip.
"But there is a widespread perception in the United States that these three countries [Britain, France and Germany] are the ones that count," he said. "Italy's weight in Europe has diminished."
"The previous centre-left government was divided on foreign policy issues and while it's still too early to comment on the current centre-right government [elected in April], the general impression is that it is not too good on foreign policy.
"Previous centre-right governments between 2001 and 2006 also did not have an especially enthusiastic position on European integration."
He said Italy's diminished importance was also evident in its exclusion from crucial negotiations with Iran over its nuclear programme.
The five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council — the US, Russia, China, Britain and France — plus Germany are trying to get Iran to stop enriching and reprocessing uranium. Italy is not part of this group.
"Iran is a major issue for Obama and it is understandable that he will want to discuss the issue with the leaders," said Greco.
Obama has advocated direct diplomacy with Iran as well as tougher threats of economic sanctions and strong incentives to persuade Tehran to change its behaviour.
Franco Pavoncello, a political analyst at Rome's John Cabot University, stopped short of calling Obama's European tour a snub, but noted Italy's exclusion.
"It's not flattering to Italy," Pavoncello. "It certainly is the only European G8 country that has been left out."
However Pavoncello said that there was no need to exaggerate the importance of the decision.
"Obama has limited time and limited media coverage in Europe. He probably wants to get two to three 'punches' out of this trip and not dilute it too much," he said.
Pavoncello also referred to the close relationship between the current leaders of Italy and America.
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi welcomed US President George W. Bush to Rome last month, calling him "a personal friend of mine and also a great friend of Italy" and Bush responded warmly.
Both analysts agreed that despite Italy's exclusion, Obama's trip to Europe was important for his campaign.
"Foreign policy remains his [Obama's] weakest point in the presidential campaign because his rival [Republican Senator John McCain] is an experienced figure," said Greco.
The trip will also gives Obama a chance to work on the transatlantic relationship that has suffered since the US and Europe, particularly Germany and France, disagreed over the US invasion of Iraq in 2003.
Obama brings a fresh perspective to the relationship.
"He's the new kid in town, the unknown candidate," said Pavoncello.
The Democratic candidate is already widely popular in Europe.
American media reports say polls reveal that if they could vote in the US, between 53 percent and 72 percent of the British, French and German public would pick Obama.
"It really depends on how his performance is," said Pavoncello. "He's a great speaker and a captivating man and it will certainly raise his visibility."
"But it won't necessarily help him because he's not running in Europe."
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