Italian PM Berlusconi addresses Congress

(1 Mar 2006)
1. Wide of Joint Session of Congress with Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert banging gavel
2. Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi entering chamber to applause
3. Senators clapping
4. Various of Berlusconi at podium, applause continues
5. Audience listening
6. SOUNDBITE: (Italian) Silvio Berlusconi, Italian Premier:
"It is only by joining the efforts of all the democracies on all continents that we will be able to free the world from the threat of international terrorism, from the fear of aggression by the forces of evil."
7. Zoom in on Berlusconi at podium
8. SOUNDBITE: (Italian) Silvio Berlusconi, Italian Prime Minister:
"Mr. Speaker, if we are to complete this mission successfully, it is essential that the bonds linking the United States and the European Union remain strong and sound. It is this belief that prompted me to start a decisive, continuing diplomatic and political initiative with my European colleagues to ensure that the European Union did not weaken its ties to the United States in reaction to the events in Iraq. For the same reason, we can not ignore the danger that a united Europe might seek to define its identity in contrast to America. The necessary political and institutional integration of Europe must not mean the creation of a "Fortress Europe", closed to the rest of the world in the belief that in doing so it can preserve its prosperity and liberty."
9. Wide of chamber
10. SOUNDBITE: (Italian) Silvio Berlusconi, Italian Prime Minister:
"Disagreement or, worse, opposition between the United States and Europe would be entirely unjustified and would jeopardise the security and prosperity of the entire world. The West is, and shall remain one. We cannot have two Wests. Europe needs America, and America needs Europe."
11. Audience clapping
12. Berlusconi as audience applauds
13. Berlusconi applauding at podium
STORYLINE:
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi received a warm welcome on Wednesday during an address to the US Congress, saying Italy and the United States must stand firm in the fight against terrorism.
Berlusconi's speech, which followed a visit on Tuesday with US President George W Bush, comes as he faces a tough election campaign at home.
His trip to Washington is seen as an attempt to turn into votes, his closeness to Bush, even as his main rival tries to score political points by attacking US policies.
Berlusconi spoke first in Italian, with legislators in the Republican-controlled Congress, reading a translated copy of his remarks, then briefly in English.
He was interrupted several times by loud applause and, at the end of his speech, a long standing ovation.
The prime minister, whose conservative ideas have much in common with those of Bush and his Republican Party, is trailing centre-left candidate Romano Prodi in polls for the elections in April.
The two candidates disagree on a timetable for removing Italian troops from Iraq.
Berlusconi says they should leave in stages; Prodi favours an immediate withdrawal.
Berlusconi's speech to the joint meeting of Congress is an honour traditionally reserved for politically important friends.
The prime minister said he has worked hard to make sure Europe and the United States remain strong allies, even as public opinion turns against the war in Iraq.
Members of Congress, like Bush, appreciate Berlusconi's support for the US-led war in Iraq.
There have been few open complaints even about his decision to withdraw his 3,000 troops by the end of the year.
Berlusconi reaffirmed his decision to bring home Italian troops as he sat beside Bush on Tuesday in the Oval Office.

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