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Anti-US protest planned in Italy Anti-US protest planned in Italy
(30 minutes later)
Tens of thousands of Italians are planning to demonstrate against the extension of a US army base in the northern city of Vicenza.Tens of thousands of Italians are planning to demonstrate against the extension of a US army base in the northern city of Vicenza.
The protest organisers say the majority of local residents are opposed to the expansion of the base.The protest organisers say the majority of local residents are opposed to the expansion of the base.
They say Prime Minister Romano Prodi has ignored the strong local objections to the site's enlargement.They say Prime Minister Romano Prodi has ignored the strong local objections to the site's enlargement.
There are fears that extremist fringe groups will try to cause violence at what is planned as a peaceful march.There are fears that extremist fringe groups will try to cause violence at what is planned as a peaceful march.
The Americans established a military presence in Vicenza over half a century ago.The Americans established a military presence in Vicenza over half a century ago.
Local jobs Violence fears
President George W Bush wants to beef up the base, the headquarters of the 173rd Airborne Brigade, by transferring from Germany to Italy another 2,000 US soldiers.President George W Bush wants to beef up the base, the headquarters of the 173rd Airborne Brigade, by transferring from Germany to Italy another 2,000 US soldiers.
This would bring the total number of American troops stationed in Vicenza to nearly 5,000.This would bring the total number of American troops stationed in Vicenza to nearly 5,000.
The American base provides over 1,000 jobs to locals in Vicenza and injects millions of dollars into the local economy.The American base provides over 1,000 jobs to locals in Vicenza and injects millions of dollars into the local economy.
If the Americans were to pack up and leave this would have serious local economic consequences.If the Americans were to pack up and leave this would have serious local economic consequences.
The centre-left government in Rome is embarrassingly split between those who want to respect the decision of the previous centre-right coalition to agree to Washington's request, and those who would like to see the Americans out.The centre-left government in Rome is embarrassingly split between those who want to respect the decision of the previous centre-right coalition to agree to Washington's request, and those who would like to see the Americans out.
The mayor of Vicenza says he fears the demonstration will be infiltrated by left-wing extremists from other EU countries intent on causing violence, just as in Genoa six years ago when rioting during a G8 summit caused heavy damage, a death and many injuries.The mayor of Vicenza says he fears the demonstration will be infiltrated by left-wing extremists from other EU countries intent on causing violence, just as in Genoa six years ago when rioting during a G8 summit caused heavy damage, a death and many injuries.