Italian Police Officers Shot During Enrico Letta's Swearing In Ceremony

Violence marks entry of new Italian Prime Minister.

Distinguished Hindu Statesman Rajan Zed

(SALEM) - Two Italian police officers and a female passer by were shot today during the swearing in ceremony for Enrico Letta, Italy’s new prime minister.

Italian officials are calling the event, "a tragic criminal gesture by an unemployed man." The shooter was identified as Luigi Preiti, a man in his 40's from the depressed Calabria.

Fortunately, he did not kill anyone, however one Italian policeman was shot in the neck and in serious condition, the other received a bullet to the leg. A third shooting victim suffered less serious injuries.

Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed has urged new ‘grand coalition’ government of Italy lead by Prime Minister Enrico Letta to introduce economic and political reforms.

Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, commended the inclusion of record number of women and the first nonwhite minister in this Italian cabinet. It was a “step in the right direction”, Zed added.

President Obama congratulated Prime Minister Enrico Letta of Italy and the new Italian government on their swearing-in. He says the United States and Italy share an enduring and essential friendship -- one built on shared values and common commitment to promote peace, liberty, and prosperity both regionally and across the globe, including as NATO allies.

Of course in the minds of millions, that relationship has more to do with attacking countries like Libya and aiding anti-government rebels Syria, than actually seeking peace. Lest we forget that all of Libya's problems are rooted in Italy's fascist occupation of that country. Mussolini built the first modern-day 'concentration camps' in Libya, long before Hitler arrived on the genocidal stage.

Zed hoped that this new Italian government would come out with long-term solutions on Roma (Gypsy) issue. Reported crackdowns, forcible evacuations and frequent dismantling of Roma campsites without offering proper alternatives was simply inhuman and a dark stain on Italy and Europe and did not solve anything. Italy should show responsibility and arrange housing for all Roma where they could live their lives with dignity. About 150,000 Roma reportedly live in Italy, with about 100 camps in Rome alone, reports suggest.

Sources: IB Times, Rajan Zed, The White House