"The full support of Italy in this crucial phase of the fight against 
terrorism"
was confirmed after a meeting between Premier Silvio Berlusconi and the 
President of the Republic Carlo Azeglio Ciampi. 

A statement released by the Quirinal said that Italy "assumes its 
responsibilities alongside the United States and other friendly nations," 
and will give its support to any actions determined necessary, including 
military intervention. The statement emphasized Italy's presence among 
the broad-based coalition defending the "endorsed principles of the UN 
charter corresponding to a sentiment shared by the nation."
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BERLUSCONI TO MEET WITH BUSH IN WASHINGTON

Premier Silvio Berlusconi was invited to travel to the White House in 
Washington, D.C., to meet with American President George W. Bush. 

According to the premier's undersecretary, Paolo Bonaiuti, "Berlusconi 
had a long and friendly telephone conversation with President Bush in 
which he said he would be happy to accept the invitation."
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BUSH HONORS ITALIAN-AMERICAN IN COLUMBUS DAY SPEECH

George W. Bush, joined by important members of the Italian-American 
community, spoke yesterday at the White House in honor the 
Columbus Day celebrations. 

"I have just spoken with your president, Silvio Berlusconi. He is a good 
friend of mine and a friend of America," Mr. Bush said at the opening of 
a speech he gave honoring the contribution of generations of Italian-
Americans to United States history and society.
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49 ITALIANS TO PATROL US SKIES ABOARD SPY PLANES

Minister of Defense Antonio Martino announced during a special 
broadcast of "Door to Door" that five AWACS radar planes with 49 
Italian military personnel onboard have departed for America. 

The planes, part of a task force stationed in Germany that includes 100
Italian personnel, will fly cover over the United States in an effort to 
prevent terrorist retaliation for the ongoing bombardment in Afghanistan.
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OLIVE TREE SPLIT IN ITS SUPPORT OF AFGHANISTAN ATTACKS

The Ulivo (Olive Tree) center-left coalition is split in their support of the 
British-American led attack on Afghanistan. The coalition will present 
two different motions before Parliament after a meeting broke-up 
yesterday that was supposed to have solidified a unified platform. The 
Democratic Left and the Margherita [Daisy] Party have both approved 
of the administration's support of the military action....

(However) the Verdi [Green] Party and the Italian Communist Party 
[PDCI] have both condemned the bombardments, imploring the 
executive to not declare war in any way.
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HEAD RABBI OF ROME TO RETIRE AFTER 50 YEARS

Elio Toaff, head Rabbi of the Jewish community in Rome, has 
announced his retirement after 50 years as its leader. Rabbi Toaff, 86, 
made the announcement personally in the main Jewish synagogue 
in Rome. 

"I have decided to leave," the Rabbi said to an applauding and visually 
moved crowd. A ceremony is scheduled for October 21 in honor of Mr. 
Toaff who has been a constant point of reference for Roman Jews and 
non-Jews alike. 

Rabbi Toaff is known for having welcomed Pope John Paul II to a 
synagogue in Rome on April 13, 1986.
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ITALIAN PRIEST TO BE IMMORTALIZED IN JERUSALEM

Enzo Boni Baldoni, an Italian priest known for having put himself at risk 
to save many Jewish families during the holocaust, will be given a 
plaque on the Wall of Jerusalem that honors the “Righteous Among 
Nations.

” Mr. Baldoni, who died in 1972, was awarded the distinction 
posthumously by the Yad Vashem Institute for the Memory of Martyrs 
and Heroes of the Holocaust. 

Mr. Baldoni, born in 1906 in Cavriago, was a priest in Quara di Toano 
when he hid and protected, with the help of his parishioners, dozens 
of Jewish families from the Nazis. 

A certificate will be given to his family next Sunday during an official 
ceremony in Cavriago sponsored in part by the Israeli embassy in Italy. 
David Cassuto of the University of Ariel will be the presenter.
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