U.S.: ‘Credible threat’ of major attack in Italy

MSNBC.COM ^ | Updated: 5:56 p.m. ET Dec. 17, 2003 | MSNBC

[Smogger]

St. Peter's Square, Leaning Tower of Pisa get special attention

Italian authorities have clamped unprecedented security coverage over the Vatican and other Christian landmarks after receiving a "credible threat" of a Christmastime terrorist attack, senior U.S. officials said Wednesday.

Over the past two days, officials within the Vatican and elsewhere in Italy have increased security near major Christian symbols, including St. Peter's Square. The step was taken based on a warning from the Mossad, the Israeli security service, that there was a "high index of probability" that "an important symbol of Christianity" would be the target of an attack between Christmas and New Year's, senior officials told NBC News on condition of anonymity.

Italy has increased security around 8,000 or so sites, which are guarded by a 12,000-member security force, Interior Minister Giuseppe Pisanu told Agence France-Presse.

"There is a legitimate concern, a credible threat," one of the U.S. officials told NBC's Robert Windrem. "Italian police are taking the appropriate precautions."

[Smogger]

FYI

[Peach]

Perhaps the terrorists don't appreciate being pitied by the Vatican.

That Bishop yesterday really took the cake, feeling so sorry for Saddam.

[Dog]

Hi Peach....it seems some major stuff is about to happen.

[Smogger]

Perhaps the terrorists don't appreciate being pitied by the Vatican

Please don't describe a single Cardinal's viewpoint as representative of the Vatican as a whole or the Holy See in paticular.

[thoughtomator]

It would be just like them to do a WMD attack on the Vatican. In attacking the WTC, Pentagon, and presumably either the White House or Congress (wherever the last one was headed) they struck the greatest economic, military, and political centers of the non-Muslim world (not like anyting in the Muslim world would rank - which is revealing as to motive). Attacking a spiritual center might offer them the opportunity to stem the rising morale in the West.

[blam]

"Over the past two days, officials within the Vatican and elsewhere in Italy have increased security near major Christian symbols, including St. Peter's Square.

Wait a minute...I thought this wasn't about religion.

[Peach]

I will respect your request, but you must have noticed his remarks have not been contradicted or softened in any way by the Vatican. I say this as a Catholic.

[thoughtomator]

It is kind of amazing anyone that stupid could manage to become a Cardinal. Isn't there some sort of standard one needs to meet to hold that office?

[mtbopfuyn]

I would suspect any Christian infidel museum, building, antiquity would be a hot target around Christmas and Easter.

[John123]

Italy has increased security around 8,000 or so sites, which are guarded by a 12,000-member security force

Uh, that is 1.5 people per site. Please tell me you have a 24/7 plan?

[squidly]

JMO, but I think hitting the Vatican would be one of the dumbest things the jihadis could do.

[Arpege92]

Isn't this what the anti-war idiots wanted? Sit around and wait to be attacked? Thank God President Bush had the guts to finally do something about it!!!!!

[Peach]

Hi, Dog.

Yes it does. There's been all too much chatter lately, and with the message that all non-essential personnel are to leave Saudia Arabia immediately, I have to wonder where it will be.

I think you should get into the fortune telling business; you're gut has been telling you things that have proven accurate.

[Smogger]

I will respect your request, but you must have noticed his remarks have not been contradicted or softened in any way by the Vatican. I say this as a Catholic

Well as one Catholic to another while I am deeply disturbed by Cardinal Renato Martino's anti-American views, but I don't attribute them to the Vatican as a whole.

More about Cardinal Renato Martino.

[randog]

Wait a minute...I thought this wasn't about religion.

It isn't......yet. The Islamonazis would love to make it a religious war, however.

[eureka!]

Color me cynical, but the anti-America crowd would not be displeased with an attack. The Blame Bush mantra would ring forever afterwards. Here's hoping that hardball is being played by our spooks and those of our allies...

[Kozak]

Uh, that is 1.5 people per site. Please tell me you have a 24/7 plan?

It's the "continental" plan. Coverage from 9-11am, then seista and capuccino, coverage 6-9pm, Monday to Thursday, except Government holidays, Religious holidays, sick days vacation days and opera or soccer games. Got it covered...l

[aculeus]

JMO, but I think hitting the Vatican would be one of the dumbest things the jihadis could do.

Attacking the WTC was extremely dumb.

I wouldn't rule out an attack on the center (in their minds) of Christendom.

[Peach]

Not to be argumentative with you, Smogger, but while I will not in the future attribute such shoddy pity for Saddam to the entire Vatican, I maintain that they certainly have it within their power to soften the blows delivered by this particular Bishop. They have not done so and I expect they will not.

Just as the Church looked the other way for decades when young children were being sexually abused in the church by our priests, they will not act now to apologize for one of their own pitying a madman who murdered hundreds of thousands of innocent people. The pity that Bishop expressed for Hussein yesterday is more pity than he or most member of the Church hierarchy have expressed for those innocent Iraqis.

As a Christian, I find such behavior shameful.

[JOE6PAK]

Soon a "CREDIBLE THREAT" of major attack on MECCA also....RIGHT?