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CNN Live At Daybreak

Americans in Italy Warned of Possible Easter Attack

Aired March 28, 2002 - 06:36   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: We want to get an update now on those threats in Italy. Our Rome bureau chief, Alessio Vinci, joins us by telephone. What warnings are going out to Americans this morning, Alessio?

ALESSIO VINCI, CNN ROME BUREAU CHIEF: Well, Carol, the warning issued by the U.S. Embassy here in Rome are basically saying that the cities at risk here are Milan, Venice, Verona and Florence, and they are even indicating in this warning the specific date of Easter Sunday this coming March 31. The embassy is indeed urging American citizens to increase their level of security awareness and avoid as much as possible large crowds.

However, the announcement -- the warning issued by the embassy is not identifying a specific terrorist group which may be involved or even saying what kind of specific threats may have been put forward. They are saying, however, that usually those extremist groups do not make a distinction between civilian and official targets, and they are indicating -- the embassy is indicating that the possible targets include public places, such as restaurants, bars, universities or schools and even places of worship.

Now, meanwhile, Italian security officials say they are aware of the fact that American interests may be the target of a terrorist attack, but they say that they do not have specific evidence of a planned attack in any of the four cities mentioned in the warning. Police chiefs in those cities are saying that they have stepped up security patrols, but they do this usually during this busy period of Easter holidays.

And the Italian interior minister also is saying that all police and intelligence forces have been, for quite some time, on high alert, and even the interior minister suggested that he himself is planning to spend his Easter holidays between Florence and Venice. But according to embassy officials, those threats are serious and based on credible reports -- Carol.

COSTELLO: So the warning has been issued and Americans should follow it. Thank you -- Alessio Vinci reporting live for us from Rome this morning.

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