Risked global isolation over marines,says Italian PM

'Let me reject forcefully any speculation about possible exchanges or agreements with India.'

Italys outgoing Prime Minister Mario Monti has told his countrys parliament that not sending back the two marines accused of killing two Indian fishermen would have put Rome at grave risk of international isolation,and triggered a crisis of serious proportions with New Delhi.

Monti also told parliament on Wednesday night that the dramatic resignation of foreign minister Giulio Terzi a day earlier had motives that were not limited to the marines issue.

Terzi had quit complaining that his voice had gone unheard as the caretaker cabinet decided to send back the marines,Massimiliano Lattore and Salvatore Girone,10 days after Italy announced it was reneging on a pledge to Indias Supreme Court to return the two men at the end of a four-week leave.

Monti said he was stunned by Terzis decision,and added that his real aim was to achieve another end that may become clearer in the near future, Italian news agency INSA said.

There were serious and objective risks that Italy would find itself isolated in the international community if it had failed to ensure the marines return,Monti said. It would have opened a crisis of serious proportions with India.

But,Monti said,the decision was not influenced by economic reasons. Let me reject forcefully any speculation about possible exchanges or agreements with India.