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American Morning

The Big Question: What is Behind the New Threat Against Americans Abroad?

Aired March 28, 2002 - 08:34   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.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: A big question at this hour, what is behind the new threat against Americans abroad? Well, the U.S. embassy in Rome has issued a public warning about the threat of terrorist attacks. American citizens are being warned of possible terrorist attacks over the Easter weekend, particularly in northern Italy. And Rome bureau chief Alessio Vinci joins us now with some of the details.

What is the response to the threat there?

Good morning.

ALESSIO VINCI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, good morning to you, Paula.

Well, according to the American embassy, the cities at risk -- we may as well give the names of those cities -- is -- are Milan, Verona, Venice and Florence, and the American embassy is urging U.S. citizens traveling to Italy to raise their level of security awareness, and as much as possible to avoid large crowds. The American embassy warning that there is no specific indication, identification of the terrorist group that may be involved.

However, the warning says that those terrorist groups usually do not differentiate between civilians and official targets, and they're saying that the potential targets are restaurants, bars, cafes, cinemas, public places, where people usually gather, and also places of worship.

Now the Italian security officials are saying that they are aware of security threats against American interests here in Italy. They have analyzed all the evidence, but the Italian Interior Minister Kadjo Skoyola (ph) in an interview with CNN just a few minutes ago said that he has seen no specific evidence pointing out those four cities are specifically under threat of a terrorist attack.

Here's what he had to say just a few minutes ago.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KADJO SKOYOLA, ITALIAN INTERIOR MINISTER (through translator): No, there's no specific threat. There is a confidential warning that caused us to raise our guard and tighten control over our security, but we have no specific confrontation.

On the other hand, we're living in a period of international terrorism, so it's obvious that these threats must be taken seriously.

But also we have to reassure people, with closer vigilance over borders, airports, stations in the city. So we think we can stay calm.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VINCI: The minister also said that he himself, he is planning to spend his Easter holidays between Florence and Venice. Now we also spoke to some American tourists earlier today. All of them were aware of the security warning issued by the U.S. embassy. Some of them told us that they were nervous, but one of them said that this threat will not change his travel plans.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We may just be a little bit more aware of our surroundings and try not to do anything, maybe not go into such crowded areas if we can avoid them.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VINCI: Italian officials are telling us that American tourists and also tourists from all over the world should come to Italy, it is safe and all measures are in place to protect them.

Back to you, Paula.

ZAHN: Alessio, It's not clear from any of those officials you talked with exactly who would be behind these threats. Were they any more specific with you in other conversations?

VINCI: Yes. In a conversation with the interior minister, he said -- and this is a quote -- "that these are threats of a Middle Eastern nature." He did not want to be more specific about it. He said that those were reserved channels that he has with intelligence services around the world. The only thing he pointed out, he said these are threats coming from the Middle East, but no more specification about which exact groups may be involved in those threats -- Paula.

ZAHN: And I know you said that there were concerns about people going to bars, and cinemas and restaurants on Easter Sunday. What about churches and cathedrals?

VINCI: Well, in the warning issued by the U.S. embassy, there is specific mention of places of worship. And I can tell you, that around The Vatican area, security is already extremely high.

We understand from Italian security officials that no specific measures or additional measures have been put in place as a result of this warning. But I can tell you and assure all American tourists and also tourists around the world traveling to The Vatican that there is a lot of police around there, and the Italian security officials are doing all they can to protect those tourists -- Paula.

ZAHN: All right, Alessio Vinci, thank you for helping us better understand what is behind these threats. Appreciate that live update.

And I got to confess, Jack, I'm a little jealous that Alessio's is in Rome, one of my favorite cities.

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