(supersedes previous).
Italy on Thursday opened a new
phase in the saga of its two marines being held in India for
allegedly killing two fishermen two years ago, replacing its
special envoy on the case and sending its ambassador back to New
Delhi to help steer the case towards arbitration.
Defence Minister Federica Mogherini told the Senate Rome
has sent a note to New Delhi as it opens an "international
procedure" that, unless the Indians cooperate, would inevitably
lead to arbitration by an international body such as the UN.
Rome has decided to send its ambassador to India back to
New Delhi to mark the "fresh stage" in its efforts to have
Massimiliano Latoree and Salvatore Girone returned, Mogherini
added.
Daniele Mancini will oversee the "new phase" of
internationalising the case, she said.
Special envoy Staffan de Mistura has done his job and new
figures are needed now that Rome is taking the case to the
international level, Mogherini told the Senate.
"I want to thank de Mistura for the dedication and
indefatigable commitment with which he has followed the affair,"
she said.
"We need new figures, we are mapping out a panel of experts
under the leadership of a coordinator to pursue the new phase".
The prospect of international arbitration appeared
inexorable, the minister told the Upper House.
"We are off the bilateral level, to raise the dispute to an
international level: we are still willing to talk to the
Indians" but "we have no other option than resorting to
international arbitration," she said.
Rome does not consider the India proceedings, which have
yet to lead to trial, "valid", she said.
"We do not accept a (future) Indian trial whose validity we
do not recognise," Mogherini said.
Latorre and Girone are still awaiting trial over the deaths
of Valentine (aka Gelastine) and Ajesh Binki, whom they
allegedly mistook for pirates.
Italy is currently appealing to India's top court against
NIA anti-terrorism prosectors taking the case.
Rome has also requested the pair be allowed to return home
and the whole case be dropped.
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