Sir — This refers to the article, “Taken for granted, and for a ride” (March 14) by Abhijit Iyer-Mitra. I agree with the author that this may be a lost cause — these marines are probably gone for good and it would be tough to negotiate a return.
The reason why the economic sanctions may fail is that the European Union will put its weight behind Italy. And regardless of the debt situations and market perceptions about Italy, it is safely cushioned by the EU. While one agrees that the slow speed with which our administrative and judicial systems work does not inspire faith, it would be a tad too rich for the Italians to now complain.
Several commentators in Italy have stressed that the issue was never a political matter, but a legal one in Italy. So far there has been no judicial ruling in Italy conflicting with the Supreme Court's views, which allows the marines even a modicum of legal defence in the matter.
Opinions of Italian law experts appearing on television channels do not constitute the law. Italian commentators have also lambasted their country’s leader Mario Monti on his perceived ‘softness’ in dealing with the issue. The fact is that the issue is more political than purely legal. lastly, this whole thing may have been bungled for a number of reasons, but I don’t think xenophobia has anything to do with it.