Terrorism feared in Italy

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32874, 24 March 1972, Page 9

Terrorism feared in Italy

(N.Z. Press Association-Copyright) ROME, March 23. Tension grew throughout Italy today as reports spread that Leftist and Rightist terrorists were plotting to create a reign of terror in the country, the Associated Press reported.

The Government has recalled 3000 policemen to active duty in a move against a growing wave of bombings and rioting. Meanwhile, the country was split into two in a dispute over whether Leftist or Rightist extremists set off a bomb that killed 17 persons in a Milan bank in December, 1969.

Investigations by two prosecutors have led to contrasting results. The Government, fearing an open confrontation between the opposing factions with nationwide elections less than two months away, called in the policemen from its reserve force to cope with street violence and to speed up investigations.

A probe into hundreds of offices of Maoist, and anarchist and Fascist groups throughout Italy had been prompted by the dynamite death of a leftist multimillionaire, Giangiacomo Feltrinelli, near Milan last week. Feltrinelli, whose estate was estimated at more than $NZ420,000 was known to

have been a financial supporter of Left-wing extremists. Police sources said the investigations into his death had led to the discovery of detailed plans by extremists for continuous riots before the election, bombing of public offices, roads, bridges and railway lines, and the kidnappings of authorities.

A major riot in Milan on March 11 devastated the central city area in the worst clash between police and demonstrators since World War 11. One person died and a hundred were injured. The lawyer, representing the relatives of those killed in the 1969 Milan bomb explosion, asked the Milan Prosecutor to investigate whether Feltrinelli was linked with that attempt The Milan prosecutor has arrested and charged 12 persons, mostly anarchists and Maoists, for the bombing, after conducting investigations together with the Rome prosecutor. A prosecutor in Treviso, however, said that a group of Fascists was responsible for the bombing. The prosecutor was investigating a string of bomb attempts in

his area and had arrested three Fascists on charges of terrorism. He announced yesterday that he had reached the conclusion that the Fascists were also responsible for the Milan bank tragedy, and turned all his papers over to the Milan prosecutors. A police spokesman said that they feared the development would lead to revival of terrorist attacks against each other by extremist groups, who have been conducting a private war with bombs for months.