30/03/2001 (Agence Europe) - Reacting to an article in EUROPE referring to parts of an article published in Corriere della Sera, on his reaction to his failed appointment to the Chair of the EU's Interim Military Committee (see EUROPE of 28 March, p.4 and of 27 March, p.5), General Mario Arpino, Italian Chief-of-Staff, made a point of telling EUROPE that "possible informal and in the heat of the moment comments certainly did not reflect my judgement of the correct nature of the appointment procedure nor the quality of the choice". "At the end of my career devoted to being at the service of institutions, I do not want there to be the slightest doubt as to my respect for those self same institutions, in Italy or at international level", he said. General Arpino took advantage of the opportunity to confirm his "highest esteem for the members of the Committee that took part in the appointment process and for General Hagglund who was appointed, wishing him the best of luck".