Attack on Sregna was Intentional, says Italian Eyewitness

Rome, Mar 5 (Prensa Latina) The more than 300 bullets shots by US soldiers on the vehicle taking Italian Journalist Giuliana Sgrena "to a safe" journey home, was a deliberate attempt to silence her, denounced her sentimental partner Piero Scolari.

In contrast with the Journalists" statements that her kidnappers were good to her despite her 30-day abduction, her friend Scolari said "Giuliana had information the US military did not want her to leave alive". He went to Irak to get her back to Italy 24 hours before her departure to this capital.

At the time of the February 4 abduction Giuliana was working on a report on the people that sought refuge ata mosque in Faluja past the Pentagon air raid against the Sunny bastion and Sgrena had questioned the invasion of the Middle East country by the US-British coalition.

Sgrena, 57, was taken straight to Celio Hospital to treat the wounds from the attack in Baghdad perpetrated 700 meters hort from the airport, meaning that the convoy had safely passed every checkpoint, added Scolari.

According to Il Manifesto Chief Editor, Gabriele Polo, a US patrol shot more than 300 hundred projectiles against Sregna´s convoy.

Agent Nicola Calipari, chief negotiator of Giuliana"s release, was killed on the sport from a shot to the head in her arms while shielding her with his body, but the US version said they tried to stop a speeding car with a warning shot since gestures and flashlight signs failed.

Italy"s Defense Ministry said it will bring home the body of Nicola Calipari while the news of the disproportionate shooting from the US troops traded Italy"s welcoming celebrations for pain and mourning.

On returning home, the journalist and her company were welcomed

by Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and along with President Carlo Ciampi joined the national demands for explanations for the US soldiers" behavior.

Great expectation has generated reaction by the government of Berlusconi since his alliance with United States during the invasion of Iraq landed a 3,000-strong Italian force there despite adverse public opinion..