Grapevine: Trulli Signs Petition to End US Attacks

Formula One driver Jarno Trulli was among more than 240 sportsmen and women based in Italy who have signed a petition calling for an end to US-led military action in Afghanistan.

The appeal, published in Italian newspapers on Wednesday, was made in support of the humanitarian aid group Emergency, who work with the victims of war, and was initiated by Italian international footballer Damiano Tommasi. Others who have signed the petition include top Serie A soccer players such as Argentine Gabriel Batistuta, Brazilian Ronaldo and Italy's Francesco Totti.

Apart from Trulli, boxer Alessandro Duran, skier Deborah Compagnoni and sprint canoeist Josefa Idem have added their names to the appeal.

"In this moment it is difficult to talk about peace without being misunderstood, but equally we athletes intend to release, through Emergency, an appeal for this war to finish and no others to commence," reads the opening line of the declaration.

The statement says the desire for peace "does not signify a lack of respect for the memory of those who died in the attacks," referring to the September 11th attacks on New York and Washington. The petition suggests "dialogue and integration can obtain more than any weapon."