by Dario Di Vico, "Corriere della Sera," March 6, 1998.

Rome - For the first time after many years the three countries that have been kept in isolation by the international community, I am referring to Iran, Iraq and Libya, are back in motion. This gives a chance to redesign a multi-polar order of international politics which should not be missed. Franco Bernabè, chairman of Eni - eighth oil company in the world thanks to the expected 58 trillion lira turnover for the year 1997 - in his office at the twentieth floor of the Eur skyscraper, accepts to talk about foreign policy for the first time, encouraged by two remarkable new events: the privatisation of Eni, "which has conferred us the status of major" (big global company) , and the international activism of the Prodi government. The solution to the Iraqi crisis, the visit by our Foreign Secretary, Lamberto Dini, to Teheran and the decision over the Lockerbie tragedy taken by the International Court of Justice in the Hague are all events that signal the beginning of a new phase in world politics.

Q. Is there a common denominator between these events?

A. After the fall of the Berlin wall and for some time, it has been thought that the world balance had to be held by one country, the USA, able to ensure stability to all other countries which would therefore be forced to a role as subordinate allies. The evolution taking place in the three "off-limits" countries signals a new tendency: we are slowly progressing towards multi-polar orders at a faster pace than it would have been expected.

Q. In your opinion, which are the potential subjects of this unexpected multipolarism?

A. First of all, Europe plays a more autonomous role and we have been able to recognise this in the recent Iraqi crisis. There is Russia’s come back which, after a long period - six years of almost complete absence from the international scene that seemed to have relegated it to the rank of regional power, - is finding new determination and dynamism. Finally, among the absolute novelties I wish to mention the Italian activism. Rome is moving actively, alongside with Paris, on a number of dossiers. But, while the French presence on the world stage is part of its national tradition, for us it is an absolute première.

Q. Which factors have determined the new course in Italy’s foreign policy?

A. Certainly, the process of economic and monetary integration in Europe is producing effects also on a political level. The "Euro" will give birth to an economic entity that can aspire to gain equal dignity with the USA. The culture of the Italian government has also changed and is now behaving as the pivot of an "Italian system." After all, the big American multinationals always follow in the trail traced by their government, and so do the French. Now, eventually, our time has come too.

Q. Two policies in one, that of the government and that of Eni.

A. Eni is strong if Italy, as a country, is strong and if the latter has a visible international role. We need a multi-polar world and Italy’s to take on the role as protagonist, and the signs are all there. Up to 5-6 years ago a care such as that represented by president Scalfaro and president Prodi’s visits to the former soviet republics would have been unthinkable.

Q. What are the advantages brought to Eni by the new course of Italian diplomacy?

A. We operate in a sector in which often, at the level of big oil companies, the competitive advantage is given by the foreign policy, by the ability to develop relations with oil and gas producing countries. This does not mean that we, as a company, are completely passive. Traditionally, Eni was north African: we used to have strong relations with Egypt, Tunisia, Libya and Algeria. We have now widened our presence to the whole of West Africa and have become the fourth oil operator in the region, only behind companies of countries with strong colonial tradition.

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