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Sicilian Culture: News & Views

Red Brigade Claims Responsibility for Attack
Courtesy of Italy-News.net

LABOR MINISTRY OFFICIAL SHOT DEAD IN BOLOGNA
Professor Marco Biagi, consultant and assistant to Italian Labor Minister Roberto Maroni, was assassinated at 8:30 p.m. last night in Bologna. At least three shots from a nine millimeter pistol struck Mr. Biagi. According initial reports, the two suspects, one on foot and the other aboard a scooter, approached the professor as he was riding his bicycle home in downtown Bologna. Mr. Biagi had just returned home by train from Modena where he had taught at the university. He leaves behind his wife and two children, who were all at home at the time of the murder. A wave of search warrants was issued in several Italian cities. Officials believe the assassination was politically motivated and masterminded by an internal, leftist terrorist group. No one has yet claimed responsibility for the incident.

CARABINIERI INVESTIGATING GRAFFITI FOUND NEAR MURDER SITE
Carabinieri said that they found graffiti in the design of an archery target with two arrows sticking out of the center drawn on a wall near the spot where Marco Biagi, assistant to the labor minister, was murdered last night. The word "bullseye" accompanied the image. Investigators are also evaluating a spray-painted five-point star, which seems to resemble the insignia of the Red Brigades, that was found on a nearby storefront. Officials said that the design seems to be "more credible" in playing a role in the assassination rather than a similar image found on the front door of Mr. Biagi's apartment building. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack. Investigators believe that the murder is the handiwork of terrorists. "It's a sign. [Prof.] Biagi was a consultant to the labor minister, who was scheduled to arrive in Bologna today," District Attorney Luigi Persico said.

BIAGI MURDER RESEMBLES 1999 ASSASSINATION OF D'ANTONA
Circumstances regarding the assassination of Marco Biagi, and the role he played within the labor ministry, are similar to those surrounding the murder of Massimo D'Antona on May 20, 1999 in Rome. The Red Brigades were blamed for the 1999 incident, and are believed to be responsible for last night's tragedy. Olga D'Antona, the widow of Mr. D'Antona, who worked for then Labor Minister Antonio Bassolino, declared that she was "reliving" the event of her husband's death. Analogies between the assassinations are too similar to be overlooked. Mr. Biagi, like Mr. D'Antona, was a university economics and labor relations professor and was 51-years-old when he was murdered. Both men were without escorts and killed by suspected terrorists only a few yards from their residences.

BERLUSCONI SAYS ASSASSINATION THE RESULT OF HATRED
Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi released a statement last night shortly after he was informed of the assassination of labor ministry economist Marco Biagi in Bologna. In part, the premier said, "Hatred feeds the hands of the assassins." He added that "the danger of terrorism is very real and must be confronted with all necessary force." According to Mr. Berlusconi, it is imperative "to leave behind the web of political hatred and distressing rhetoric indicative of times of civil war. Reason, with a sense of moderation and maximum unity, is the only way to resolve political and social differences of opinion. We must stop considering our adversaries as our enemies."

UNION LEADERS CONDEMN BIAGI MURDER
CGIL Secretary General Sergio Cofferati described the murder of Marco Biagi "as another barbarous act" and a "crime that is the result of an outmoded view that terrorism can alter democratic laws and the social fabric of a nation by attacking people who work for the state." UIL leader Luigi Angeletti said, "Biagi was assassinated for the ideas that he had. It is as if they [the assassins] had as their target all free men." CISL head Savino Pezzotta commented, "We must go back to the bargaining table to lessen tensions."

POPE CALLS ASSASSINATION "BARBAROUS ACT"
At the end of a general audience in St. Peter's Square, Pope John Paul II spoke about the "barbarous killing" of labor ministry economist Marco Biagi. "By deploring firmly and with conviction this new manifestation of senseless violence, I hope that a climate of understanding between all will lead to a peaceful resolutions of Italy's current problems," the pope said before thousands of onlookers. He went on to express his condolences for Mr. Biagi's family "in this painful and tragic moment," reassuring them that the economist would be in his prayers.

UIL SAYS GENERAL STRIKE NO LONGER ON AGENDA
Before entering into an impromptu meeting with other labor leaders convened in the aftermath of the Marco Biagi assassination, UIl leader Luigi Angeletti said that he believes that "the general strike has been take off the unions' agenda." Mr. Angeletti proposed that a demonstration against terrorism be held next week instead "to reaffirm our support of political debate." CISL Secretary Savino Pezzotta said, "We will defeat terrorism only if serious dialogue between the parties involved is reopened. We want to return to the bargaining table...We must not be intimidated by the acts of criminals."

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