KABUL –25 April, 2008(Wakth News Agency): The Italian Minister of Defence, Arturo Parisi, the Italian Chief of Defense, General Vincenzo Camporini, and Italian Joint Operational Commander, Lieutenant General Giuseppe Valotto, visited the Italian troops deployed in Regional Command West (RC-W) Monday. 

This visit is the last for Mr. Parisi before ending his duty as Minister of Defense.

After his plane landed at Herat airport, the defense minister was welcomed by the RC-W Commander Major General Fausto Macor and rendered with honours by a national joint company. Then he went on to address the Italian troops.

 “You are giving a big contribution to this mission and for this reason our country gives you his gratitude and thanks you for that. This is the feeling I wanted to bring to you personally in the name of all Italian people. Thank you once again.”

 He concluded his speech devoting a deferent thought of grief to all those soldiers who fell in Afghanistan.

After having lunch at the Italian dining facility, the defense minister flew to Farah to meet the Italian troops deployed there. He also visited Kabul to speak with troops in Regional Command Capital.