unprecedented clash – Time

Back and forth between General Roberto Vannacci and Lieutenant Colonel Gianfranco Paglia, advisor to Defense Minister Guido Crosetto. During the TV program ‘Zona Bianca’ on Rete4, Paglia expressed disappointment with Vannacci’s book, claiming that the general’s thoughts are not those of the Defense: «We know very well that Vannacci would not have reached the third star, so this could be one of the reasons that pushed him to run. Personally, I don’t think Vannacci deserves to wear the uniform again. But Vannacci also said it. Now he is doing the math to see if he can retire or not. It’s all legitimate, it fits, we simply have to distance ourselves, I’m talking about us who wear the uniform. Indeed, some commanders of the Ninth called me to apologize, to tell me that the Ninth is not like that, but I know this. Vannacci has stained it by wearing the uniform, and we cannot afford this. We soldiers, then the others can do what they want.”

Vannacci’s reply arrives via social media: «I haven’t seen the TV but I ask myself a question, speaking in uniform was he expressing his personal opinion or that of the institution to which he belongs? Because I, for having written a book in my personal capacity in my free time, was accused and suspended also for having aroused the association between the author and the ideas expressed by him to the institution to which he belongs! But I’m not worried… it’s a flash in the pan!