12 July 2007

A Parliamentary Commission on Sismi

photo from repubblica.it


Let’s not play with words: Copaco {Comitato parlamentare di controllo sui servizi segreti italiani.= Parliamentary committee to control the Italian Secret Services} is one thing, the investigating Parliamentary Commission is another. Right now what is needed for the Sismi-Pollari case is a Commission and not the shield of Copaco that does not have judicial powers. The members of Copaco are limited to hearing the versions, that from time to time are supplied to them even casually. Furthermore, that body is run by people who were leaders in the former majority and there are doubts that these people used the structures of the secret services for non-institutional ends.

Independently of the wishes of the individual members there is an evident conflict of interests that goes beyond the institutional and personal respect that is due to every person. For example, the president of Copaco, Claudio Scajola, a minister in the Berlusconi government, would have to judge the behaviour of the former commander of Sismi.

As soon as possible, we must put together the investigating Parliamentary Commission to work alongside the magistracy, so as to give a political judgement on the facts that happened with the illicit spying on the magistrates. Even though, in certain cases we may be facing episodes that have no criminal relevance. The Commission must be headed up by a person who is above any possible suspicion, like for example a former Head of State.

Posted by Antonio Di Pietro in Politics