Berlusconi says threatened by bomber in stadium

Reuters ^ | 03 Nov 2005 | Crispian Balmer

[ncountylee]

ROME, Nov 3 (Reuters) - Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has said a suicide bomber was plotting to blow him up in a soccer stadium, and he accused his domestic political opponents of exposing Italy to terror attacks.

"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.

"We are talking about saving our country," he said.

Berlusconi did not say when the plot was uncovered or if it was an ongoing threat, and his office declined comment.

The interview came just days after Berlusconi said he had repeatedly tried to persuade 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 extremists. 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 recognise 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 realise that they are exposing them to mortal danger?" said Berlusconi.

The prime minister owns top Italian soccer club AC Milan and sometimes goes to the San Siro stadium in Italy's financial capital Milan to follow their domestic and European cup matches.

ANSA news agency reported that the suicide bomb threat related to an international soccer match but gave no source.

[libertylover]

Sounds like another Clinton egomaniac.

[Calpernia]

And that is how the Chechen president was killed. A bomb planted at the Dynamo stadium.