Rome Braces for Terrorist Attack During Funeral

Ottawa Citizen/Canada.com AP ^ | Thursday, April 07, 2005 | William J. Kole

[West Coast Conservative]

Anti-aircraft rocket launchers are in place around Rome, and a navy warship armed with torpedoes is patrolling the coastline near the capital. Those and other security measures are Italy's menacing message to terrorists ahead of Pope John Paul II's funeral.

Although Italian authorities are playing down the threat of an attack, they're also taking no chances: Friday's funeral will draw millions of pilgrims along with dozens of monarchs, presidents and prime ministers.

There are plenty of reasons why terrorists might consider a strike, foremost among them Italy's involvement in the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq, and an ongoing investigation into alleged al-Qaeda cells in the northern city of Milan.

And there are plenty of potential targets: U.S. President George W. Bush, who arrived in Rome yesterday and viewed the pope's remains; former U.S. presidents George Bush Sr. and Bill Clinton; U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice; Prince Charles and British Prime Minister Tony Blair; UN Secretary General Kofi Annan; and a host of other world leaders and VIPs, including the presidents of Iran and Syria. Prime Minister Paul Martin and his wife, Sheila, will be there for Canada.

The influx of scores of bodyguards accompanying the heads of state was sure to vex the Vatican, which frowns on guns inside the Holy See, though it grudgingly makes exceptions.

A deputy of Achille Serra, who heads the Rome prefect's office, one of several agencies responsible for security ahead of the pope's funeral, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Associated Press "the current international situation and the number of people in the piazza call for measures of great attention."

Authorities have no indications of a terrorist plot in the making, the official said.

Col. Massimo Fogari, a spokesman for the Defence Ministry, said anti-aircraft missiles were already in place around the capital. He would not say how many, or confirm Italian media reports that rockets had been positioned on the hills overlooking Vatican City.

A navy torpedo boat has been sailing up and down the coast near Rome, Col. Fogari said. Italy's air force will be ready to scramble fighter jets during the funeral, and snipers will take up positions on rooftops, officials said.

Additional measures include intensified armed patrols on the Tiber River that flows through Rome. Air space within an eight-kilometre radius will be closed during the funeral, and traffic at Leonardo Da Vinci Airport will be reduced. Ciampino Airport, used for both civilian and military flights, will be shut down, along with a smaller airport used by private and sightseeing planes.

Italy's elite Carabinieri military police increased their presence across the capital, part of an effort to bolster Rome's 10,000 police ranks by 6,500 and step up patrols with bomb-sniffing dogs. Yesterday, a police helicopter made repeated low, sweeping passes over the city.

Pope John Paul II - 1920-2005

[SheLion]

It's there! Try the URL again!

Rome braces for terrorist attack during funeral

William J. Kole

The Associated Press

Thursday, April 07, 2005

ROME - Anti-aircraft rocket launchers are in place around Rome, and a navy warship armed with torpedoes is patrolling the coastline near the capital. Those and other security measures are Italy's menacing message to terrorists ahead of Pope John Paul II's funeral.

Although Italian authorities are playing down the threat of an attack, they're also taking no chances: Friday's funeral will draw millions of pilgrims along with dozens of monarchs, presidents and prime ministers.

There are plenty of reasons why terrorists might consider a strike, foremost among them Italy's involvement in the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq, and an ongoing investigation into alleged al-Qaeda cells in the northern city of Milan.

And there are plenty of potential targets: U.S. President George W. Bush, who arrived in Rome yesterday and viewed the pope's remains; former U.S. presidents George Bush Sr. and Bill Clinton; U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice; Prince Charles and British Prime Minister Tony Blair; UN Secretary General Kofi Annan; and a host of other world leaders and VIPs, including the presidents of Iran and Syria. Prime Minister Paul Martin and his wife, Sheila, will be there for Canada.

The influx of scores of bodyguards accompanying the heads of state was sure to vex the Vatican, which frowns on guns inside the Holy See, though it grudgingly makes exceptions.

A deputy of Achille Serra, who heads the Rome prefect's office, one of several agencies responsible for security ahead of the pope's funeral, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Associated Press "the current international situation and the number of people in the piazza call for measures of great attention."

Authorities have no indications of a terrorist plot in the making, the official said.

Col. Massimo Fogari, a spokesman for the Defence Ministry, said anti-aircraft missiles were already in place around the capital. He would not say how many, or confirm Italian media reports that rockets had been positioned on the hills overlooking Vatican City.

A navy torpedo boat has been sailing up and down the coast near Rome, Col. Fogari said. Italy's air force will be ready to scramble fighter jets during the funeral, and snipers will take up positions on rooftops, officials said.

Additional measures include intensified armed patrols on the Tiber River that flows through Rome. Air space within an eight-kilometre radius will be closed during the funeral, and traffic at Leonardo Da Vinci Airport will be reduced. Ciampino Airport, used for both civilian and military flights, will be shut down, along with a smaller airport used by private and sightseeing planes.

Italy's elite Carabinieri military police increased their presence across the capital, part of an effort to bolster Rome's 10,000 police ranks by 6,500 and step up patrols with bomb-sniffing dogs. Yesterday, a police helicopter made repeated low, sweeping passes over the city.

Pope John Paul II - 1920-2005

© The Ottawa Citizen 2005

[bicyclerepair]

Why would the rag-heads try anything with the pres. of iran and syria in attendance also?

[Calpernia]

ping

[Jersey Republican Biker Chick]

I agree that they must prepare. With all of the Dignitaries and Heads of State attending it is a perfect place to attack.

That being said, any ANIMAL that would disrespect the memory of Pope John Paul II by attacking his funeral is the lowest of scum that exists. This great man deserves peace and solemnity at his service. This man deserves to have the World put aside its differences for one day!

[BillM]

My main concern is a nuclear bomb smuggled in. All the world's leaders and all the heirarchy of the largest Christian Church in one place. Al Queda's greatest dream.

[WinOne4TheGipper]

Could you imagine the type of international crisis that would occur if something did happen?

[AngieGOP]

"That being said, any ANIMAL that would disrespect the memory of Pope John Paul II by attacking his funeral is the lowest of scum that exists."

and the liberals of the world would justify such a henious attack by saying it was justified by the Church's treatment of gays, etc.

[1rudeboy]

Cool uniforms. Cool photo.

[WinOne4TheGipper]

Because having Bush in attendance would be too much for an Islamofascist to resist.

[joyful1]

It wouldn't surprise me one bit.

I'd be surprised if there wasn't a big attack. The pieceful ones you know...

[Jersey Republican Biker Chick]

"and the liberals of the world would justify such a henious attack by saying it was justified by the Church's treatment of gays, etc."

Sad but true. It would be all Bush's fault don't you know.

[Dallas59]

Can you imagine Mecca afterwards?

[Dallas59]

Nope...It was Bushes fault.

[LoudRepublicangirl]

That being said, any ANIMAL that would disrespect the memory of Pope John Paul II by attacking his funeral is the lowest of scum that exists.




Since the Islamofascists already have the title of being the lowest scum that exists they probably feel they have nothing to lose.

[Jersey Republican Biker Chick]

"Since the Islamofascists already have the title of being the lowest scum that exists they probably feel they have nothing to lose."

Another fact for the sad but true column.

[WinOne4TheGipper]

Oh man, that doesn't even begin to show what Mecca would look like. There would be several countries racing to drop the bomb first.

[Lee Heggy]

Cool little pooch too!

[blam]

"Can you imagine Mecca afterwards?"

Yup at president Cheney and VP Jeb Bushs' direction.

[SheLion]

My main concern is a nuclear bomb smuggled in. All the world's leaders and all the heirarchy of the largest Christian Church in one place. Al Queda's greatest dream.

It would be the perfect place for those scum to try something.  I guess we have to wait and see and pray that nothing happens.

And there is our President and First Lady.  Goodness!  I shudder every time I hear they are overseas.