Seven Germans, five Belgians, three Italians, two Poles, two Austrians and one Dutch person died when Ashby's EA-6B "Prowler" ripped through the cable of a ski-lift.

The verdict - which according to Prime Minister Massimo D'Alema "contradicts in a most surprising way the expectations of people who believed in justice" - is final.

Italian Defense Minister Carlo Scognamiglio preferred not to speak about the verdict, but has said that when the 1952 Treaty of London expires, Italy will seek to modify it, so that American pilots in Italy can be tried in Italy.

In an interview with Captain Ashby released on Italian TV yesterday, 9th March, he says he is sorry that Italians have been deceived into thinking he was guilty." Italian deputy Defense Minister Massimo Brutti says the interview shows Ashby to be very "arrogant."

Newspapers have been re-publishing the words uttered by the American pilots just after the tragedy, when we all learnt about "flat-hattening" and about photos taken of the planes while they were flying under the cable car, as well as other "Top Gun" antics performed by the pilots at the Aviano NATO base.