Online Statement Denies Vatican As Target

[Khephra]

CAIRO, Egypt -- An online statement posted Sunday in the name of an al-Qaida-linked group pledged that the Vatican would be spared, but repeated threats to "turn Rome into hell."

"We declare that the Vatican will never be one of (our) targets," said the statement, posted on a Web site known for its militant Islamic content. Its authenticity could not be verified.

The statement, signed in the name of the Abu-Hafs al-Masri Brigades, repeated threats to ravage Rome unless Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's government withdraws Italian troops from Iraq.

Several past statements attributed to the group have warned any target in Italy was valid because the government had ignored demands to withdraw its approximately 3,000 troops from Iraq.

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/world/wire/sns-ap-al-qaida-vatican,0,1239920.story?coll=sns-ap-world-headlines

[Sporadicus]

1. If the Mosque of the Imam Ali Had Been Badly Damaged

all bets would be off regarding hands-off the Vatican.

[Pale_Rider]

2. I doubt it ...

... since the Vatican has been a longtime supporter of Palestinian rights.

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/0F63CD6A-1450-4390-B616-88F7C3D909FF.htm

[DemBones DemBones]

3. Good point. Pope John Paul II also told Bush* he was wrong

to invade Iraq.

[lovuian]

4. I think its pretty obvious 3000 troops is pathetic but look at the danger

it brings to Italy

incredible danger and I think the Vatican is majorly at risk