From owner-imap@chumbly.math.missouri.edu Sat Dec 3 10:02:35 2005
Date: Fri, 25 Nov 2005 13:20:22 -0600 (CST)
From: nytr@olm.blythe-systems.com
Subject: [NYTr] US Closes Nuclear Base in Sardinia
Article: 228156
To: undisclosed-recipients: ;
US Closes Nuclear Base in Sardinia
Prensa Latina (Havana), 24 November 2005
Rome, Nov 24 (PL) The Italian island of Sardinia (south of Italy) received the announcement on the closing of the US La Magdalena military base with satisfaction Thursday.
Italian Defense Antonio Martino informed of the withdrawal of the US forces, and Governor Renato Soru said the decision would benefit the population of the island.
The base, where more than 3,000 US soldiers and their relatives have been living for 30 years, was turned into a port for nuclear submarines, which contaminated Sardinian waters.
The base will be transferred to another country, which the US thinks it will be better for its own strategies.
Soru expressed the town's satisfaction and plans to use the base territory for tourism.
The removal of the US soldiers has been demanded for a long time by pacifist organizations, and ecology movements denounced the appearance of uranium and plutonium in the waters.
The US established itself in La Maddalena after signing an agreement with Italy in 1972.