AgustaWestland scam hurt competitiveness of Italian companies: Ex-PM Letta to WION
enrico lette afp
Former Italian prime minister Enrico Letta, on whose watch India cancelled the scam-tainted AgustaWestland helicopter deal, said that the defence scandal hurt the competitiveness of Italian companies.
Speaking exclusively to WION in New Delhi, Letta said that the underlying message in all his contacts with India was that the independence of the judiciary has to be respected.
The AgustaWestland helicopter scam came to light a few weeks before Letta's inauguration as Italy's prime minister.
At the time, Letta said he also had to deal with the fallout of the "Enrica Lexie" case, involving the arrest of two Italian navy personnel who were jailed for the killing of two Indian fishermen.
Here are the excerpts from the interview:
WION: The AgustaWestland helicopter scam came to light a few weeks before your government came to power. What kind of interactions did you or your ministers have with the Indian counterparts on the AgustaWestland helicopter scam?
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Enrico Letta: It was simple and clear. We respect the independence of judges. They have an independent way. And the decision at the end of it all was a positive one. I am happy that we respected the decision. But it was a big problem for Italian competitiveness. The Italian companies lost a lot from this situation. But at the end of the day, respect for the independence of the judiciary is the best way. That is why I dealt it with this mood. With my Indian counterparts, it was a very clean approach and a very constructive one at that at the end, the decision was best for all, especially Italy and India and the competitiveness of both countries.
WION: India cancelled the AgustaWestland helicopter contract in January 2014. At the time, you were the prime minister of Italy. Do you recall any conversation you or your ministers might have had with the Indian government or agencies about the scam?
Enrico Letta: No, because it happened at the end of my period.
WION: But India cancelled the contract in January and you demitted office in February. So you were the head of the government at the time...
Enrico Letta: But the key point is that I always said in all contacts with the Indian authorities that we think the independence of justice is fundamental and it has to be preserved, even if there was the other case involving the Italian marines. India and Italy are two big powers. We have to cooperate. We have to work together. I always tried to give that idea. The bilateral cooperation has to continue because we are two big countries. I hope now the situation is better. I hope that in future the cooperation will grow. I am sure that these words can help.
WION: The AgustaWestland helicopter scam is one of the many scams bedevilling the Indian polity. There is a need for closure in this scam. What kind of cooperation or collaboration does Italy envisage to help bring closure to India?
Enrico Letta: We cannot consider that this is the only topic of the India-Italy relationship. India and Italy are members of G20. They are two important countries, especially when it comes to manufacturing and cultural prowess. I hope that my visit will contribute to the ties.