Replying to a letter is not obligatory, just courtesy

12/03/14

Responding to a letter has never been an obligation for anyone, just an act of courtesy that generally in a civil society does not come to anyone. A truth that is handed down over time, rooted in cultures where the confrontation of ideas is a reason for democratic growth.

For this and for a personal sense of respect for people I have never failed to respond to anyone who has decided to propose his thoughts through a letter. I have always given my opinion, even when I knew I had to disappoint the expectations of those who had decided to turn to me.

On 23 February I sent a letter to the new Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini, appreciating your expressions of commitment to the fate of Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone and, of course, pleading in favor of the two Fusiliers of the Navy for greater and more incisive institutional action. .

A simple letter, which I find appropriate to report below.

“Dear Minister Federica Mogherini, I am the retired General Fernando Termentini. Both as a soldier and after having ceased active service, I have often occupied myself, especially abroad, in securing territories where a war had passed and which still concealed hidden pitfalls such as antipersonnel mines and war devices that are still active.

A particular type of professionalism that has exalted in me the concreteness proper to all the Commanders, that of being committed to the protection of the interests and safety of their fellow citizens and of their men. An ethical sensibility that has brought me since 18 February 2012 to dealing almost daily with the affair of the two Fucilieri of the Navy now being held hostage by India for more than 24 months, without my having known them, without having ever spoken to one of their relatives, but only because Italian soldiers in difficulty for events connected to a task entrusted to them by the State. A commitment that has grown over time and developed through a series of articles that can be viewed on my blog (http://fernandotermentini.blogspot.it/), but above all by coagulating the commitment of hundreds of thousands of citizens who with me have decided to be close to Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone and their families, through the social network Facebook.

I read with great satisfaction, Minister, that your first thought immediately after taking office at the Farnesina was to address a thought to Massimiliano and Salvatore, to call them to express to them in this difficult moment the closeness of the State and your staff.

I am sure that this first act of yours will be followed by concrete initiatives such as to guarantee a rapid return to Italy of our soldiers. First of all, the reappropriation of the right that it is Italy to legally evaluate the work of the two Navy Fusiliers and not India, relying on a third judgment such as international arbitration. Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone are two Italian soldiers and are been involved in events still to be verified by covering this status and therefore in the full right to enjoy functional immunity. The story we are starting with certainly took place in international waters on a ship flying the Italian flag. In fact, therefore, on our national territory and under the absolute and complete legal competence of Italy, the two Navy Fusiliers must return to Italy with honor, as has been heard repeated by many in recent days including the Head of State. I believe, therefore, it is unequivocal that this is the result to be achieved in the shortest possible time.

For us military, Mr. Minister, honor has only one meaning. It represents the reason for our life and there are no nuances in the word. The honor for Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone is to return to Italy guaranteed by the rule of law that our nation guarantees to its citizens and not by political or lobbying agreements of various and dubious nature. 'pride of being Italian soldiers, have confirmed in more than one circumstance the ethics of those used to "obeying in silence". This is why Italy is indebted to them and must undertake to restore to them and their families the honor that is due to them.Thank you, Madam Minister and trusting in your constructive and sure commitment, I wish you all the best for your new office with the hope of being able to see Massimiliano and Salvatore return to their homeland shortly - Rome 23 February 2014 ".

Madam Minister certainly his commitments just so many that he still has not had time to read my modest words even though I would have expected something different from those who report at the bottom of his blog "And then, BellaCiao is the most beautiful lullaby of the world".

If so, dear Minister, you need to remember that the main theme of "Bellaciao" indicates the youth that is lost and fades in work, as the serenity and tranquility of Massimiliano and Salvatore held hostage by a Third State on " delegation ”of Italy as a result of decision-making errors, perhaps even relevant on a criminal level.

Latorre and Girone have been away from their children for two years. Perhaps in these 24 months their boys would have liked to fall asleep in the evening lulled by their favorite lullaby, perhaps even sharing their preferences, but sung by their fathers.

Fernando Termentini