Italians honour officer shot by US troops in Iraq

The funeral for an Italian intelligence officer killed by US forces in Iraq was tinged with some anger at the circumstances of his death.

At the state funeral today, attended by Italy's premier Silvio Berlusconi, homage was paid to Nicola Calipari, the officer who lost his life when the car in which he was travelling with a rescued Italian hostage was fired on by US troops.

Mr Calipari died from a head wound and journalist Giuliana Sgrena was wounded in the shoulder when US troops opened fire on their vehicle near Baghdad international airport on Friday.

Ms Sgrena, who was snatched in Baghdad and held for over a month, is recovering in hospital. She has denied the US military's version of events.

US authorities claim that the car had failed to slow down when requested to do so and was subsequently fired upon. Ms Sgrena, a fierce critic of US policy in Iraq believes that the US is opposed to any ransom payments made to ensure hostages are released. She claims that there was no warning given. It is not clear if a ransom was paid to secure her release.

A guard of honour accompanied the cortege through the streets to Rome's Santa Maria degli Angeli church. As the procession passed onlookers applauded Mr Calipari's coffin which was draped in the Italian flag.

Ms Sgrena said that Mr Calipari died as he attempted to shield her from the bullets, he sustained a fatal gunshot to the head.

It was announced that Mr Calipari is to receive a posthumous award for bravery.

It is understood that he was involved in the successful negotiations that led to the release of four Italian security guards last year.

(SP)