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Man Wielding Tripod Strikes Berlusconi
A man struck Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi with a camera tripod Friday in a Rome piazza, giving him a slight bruise but no major injuries, his office said. The premier's bodyguards and police quickly blocked the assailant after the attack in Piazza Navona, a large bustling square at the heart of the capital. Police were questioning the assailant, who was a tourist from the northern town of Mantua, the ANSA news agency said. Berlusconi, who had a slight bruise between his right ear and neck, saw a doctor as a precaution, the report said. The prime minister was "saddened" by the attack, his office said, adding it had no information on the motive.
"Not as saddened as I woulda been if the somonabitch woulda taken my ear off, though!"
The conservative premier's allies immediately spoke out against the attack and offered their support. Reforms Minister Roberto Calderoli suggested it was politically motivated, saying the assailant was "crazy, but also a member of the political opposition," according to ANSA.
Posted by: Fred 2005-01-01
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=52637