Professor Marco Biagi, consultant and assistant
to Italian Labor Minister
Roberto Maroni, assassination is eerily similar to the murder of Massimo
D'Antona who worked for then Labor Minister Antonio Bassolino,
on May 20,
1999 in Rome. Both were university economics and labor relations professors,
and 51-years-old when murdered. Both men were without escorts
and killed by
suspected terrorists only a few yards from their residences.
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RED BRIGADES CLAIMED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ATTACK
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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