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| Europe |
| Berlusconi sez he was the target of an assassination plot |
| 2005-11-04 |
| Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has said a suicide bomber was plotting to kill him at a soccer match, and accused political rivals of heightening the risk of terrorist attacks by questioning his integrity. "I am the subject of a direct threat. A suicide bomber in a stadium aiming for me," Berlusconi told Italian newspaper Libero in an interview published on Thursday. "But it is not a question of me. We're also talking about Italy. Aren't people worried about this?" he added in what the conservative daily called a furious and bitter outburst. Berlusconi, who owns top Italian soccer club AC Milan and sometimes watches them play at Milan's San Siro stadium, did not say when the plot was uncovered or if it was an ongoing threat. An official at the interior ministry said its anti-terrorist unit had received information about a plan to strike at Berlusconi but declined to give any further information. The Libero interview came just days after Berlusconi said he had repeatedly tried to persuade his friend U.S. President George W. Bush against invading Iraq, a comment that drew ridicule from opposition politicians. Berlusconi insisted he had never wanted war with Iraq and said he hoped his words would be heard across the Arab world. "(I am) a leader who tried in every way to prevent the war, who did not attack anyone and who is not at war," he said. Italy, a close U.S. ally which sent 3,000 troops to Iraq after the fall of Baghdad in 2003, has received numerous Internet threats purported to be from Islamic militants. Several threats have identified Berlusconi as a target. "Our troops in Iraq are not a force of occupation. They are a peacekeeping force operating under the aegis of the United Nations," Berlusconi said. Italy's interior minister, Giuseppe Pisanu, said in July that terrorism was "knocking on Italy's door". He has since said Italy will be at most risk in the early part of next year when it holds the Winter Olympics and a general election. Berlusconi, who met Bush in Washington on Monday, said the U.S. president agreed with his analysis of his pre-war stance. He added that those who scoffed at the idea that he tried to convince Washington not to attack Iraq were endangering Italy. "If journalists and opposition politicians loved Italy, then they would have to recognize what I said (was true). They are anti-Italian," he said. "Their overriding consideration is hatred towards me. And this runs counter to the truth and hurts the interests of our people. Do they realize that they are exposing them to mortal danger?" said Berlusconi. Berlusconi took particular exception to a cartoon on the front page of Corriere della Sera newspaper earlier this week that showed him and Bush roaring with laughter. "So you said you were against the war," the U.S. President says. He said he was also furious with Libero for calling him vain after saying Bush wanted him to win the 2006 election. "I'm sorry for this outburst. I want you to know that I am a decent person who is not blinded by vanity, especially in such a serious moment as this," the prime minister said. |
| Posted by:Dan Darling |
| #1 Berlusconi enters the low-crawl pit and teaches the snakes a thing or two. |
| Posted by: Regnad Kcin 2005-11-04 22:12 |