Defence Minister Guido Crosetto on
Thursday promised disciplinary action against a general for
making homophobic remarks and lashing out at feminism and
environmentalism among other issues in a self-published book the
contents of which had not been shared or cleared by military
bosses.
"Do not use the personal rantings of a serving general to
polemicise with the Defence ministry and the armed forces," said
Crosetto on X, referring to the book 'The world back to front'
by 55-year-old General Roberto Vannacci, who currently directs
the Italian Military Geographic Institute (IGMI).
"General Vannacci has expressed opinions that discredit the
Army, Defence and the Constitution. For this reason, the Defence
ministry will start the foreseen disciplinary examination," he
added.
"The Armed Force distances itself from the entirely personal
considerations (as specified in the text) expressed by the
officer," read a separate statement from the army, adding that
the force reserved the right "to take all measures necessary to
protect its image".
In his book Vannacci, formerly head of the Folgore paratroopers,
says of homosexuals: "You are not normal, come to terms with
it!", insisting that "normality is heterosexuality".
"If everything seems normal to you, however, it is the fault of
the plots of the international gay lobby," he adds.
He also speaks strongly in favour of self defence: If a burglar
enters a house, "why should I not be authorised to shoot him, to
stab him with whatever object I can get my hands on?".
"If I plunge the pencil I have in my breast pocket into the
jugular of the mug that attacks me, killing him, why should I
risk being condemned?"
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