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| Ensign of the Italian Navy |
It's always nice when Italy receives praise rather than brickbats and this week Rupert Neudeck, co-founder of the humanitarian association Cap Anamur, has suggested that the Italian Navy be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for its humanitarian work in saving 73,000 migrants in the Mediterranean during the Mare Nostrum operation. Mr Neudeck also said in Hamburg that European policy towards migrants is a disaster and that Northern European countries have a duty to take in more refugees to help countries such as Italy.
Mare Nostrum is a controversial initiative in Italy but no one could deny that the Marina Militare are doing a sterling job. It is estimated that they have saved 1,396 migrants in the last 24 hours alone.
But can a military force be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize? What about this? What do you think?
I decided to find out more about Rupert Neudeck and was surprised to learn about this event, which took place a year before I settled in Sicily. It also shows how things have changed.
7 comments:
Well, would you accept a price that has been given to "personalities"* like Henry Kissinger and Obama, to name but two?
* See? I tried hard to avoid writing "criminal bastards".
Ah, and for Rupert Neudeck: Who'd be able to count all those who'd just have prefered this idealistic idiot to shut up, in the past.
Persons like him would deserve a (Peace) Nobel Prize.
Look above, though. A Rupert Neudeck mentioned in the same breath with Kissinger, Arafat, Obama et. al.?
No, not the navy, but maybe local helpers, supportive initiatives etc.?
At the time, Rupert Neudeck publicly criticised Elias Bierdel who was in charge of the Cap Anamur rescue mission in 2004. In the end Bierdel had to resign as chairman of the NGO. Neudeck believed that Bierdel's action, as it was illegal and in his opinion too much "show", had damaged the reputation of Cap Anamur.
Military forces are necessary. I'd hate to live in a country without one. It would be wonderful not to need the military...an impossible dream.
I guess it's like not having a police force...I'd rather have police, than not.
The world would be in an even worse mess than it is at present without our forces.
The only way I think the world will ever experience peace is when it's devoid of humans...sad, isn't it?
Well, no, Sean and I do see how hard you tried! Yes, many would have preferred him to shut up.
Hi, Lee. Yes, sadly necessary.
Hi, Sabine. I totally agree with you. Thanks for the extra information.
I agree with Mr Jeating regarding the devaluation of the Peace Prize.
Me too, WW.
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