Al Qaeda warns Berlusconi

international | anti-war / imperialism | news report Wednesday July 21, 2004 10:24 by Hilaal

The Abu Hafs al-Masri Brigade which claimed responsibility for the Madrid train bombings last March has issued another warning to Sylvio Berlusconi three days after the expiry of a three-month truce declared unilaterally on April 15 by Osama bin Laden.

Osama bin Laden had said al Qaida would suspend operations against targets in Europe to give European members of the US led coalition enough time to pull their troops out of Iraq. Spain immediately withdrew its troops but Italy has arrogantly stood by it's invasion. Around 1,500 Italian troops are deployed in Iraq, stationed in the Nassiriya area.

Al Qaida may feel that an attack in Italy would create political chaos and finish off Berlusconi. His statement a couple of years ago that Western civilization is superior to Islamic civilization will still be in the minds of many Muslims.

Because of sharp differences in his conservative coalition Berlusconi is now isolated. His promised tax refunds have been almost totally scrapped and Umberto Bossi, leader of the Northern League and a cabinet minister, is considering quitting the government which will worsen the crisis.

The latest message states. "Either you dump the incompetent Berlusconi or we will really burn Italy," Muslims in "Europe" are warned to "store food for a month and make arrangements to protect themselves" against possible reprisals".