ITALY: 2005 COUNTRY REPORTS ON TERRORISM

UNCLAS ROME 004074 SIPDIS DEPT FOR S/CT: RHONDA SHORE, ED SALAZAR AND NCTC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PTER ASEC IT EUN SUBJECT: ITALY: 2005 COUNTRY REPORTS ON TERRORISM REF: STATE 193439 ¶1. (U) Please find post's proposed text for the Italian section of the 2005 Country Report on Terrorism. Begin text: Italy has been a staunch ally in the war against terror. Italy works to fight terrorism within its borders, cooperates internationally, and participates with a strong military presence in peacekeeping operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Italy has been under heightened public threat by Al-Qa,ida for its continued participation in Iraq and Afghanistan, especially as it prepares for the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin and national elections in the spring of 2006. Italy,s law enforcement authorities maintained the initiative against Italy-based terrorist suspects through investigations, detentions, prosecutions, and expulsions. In extensive raids throughout Italy on May 18-19, law enforcement officials arrested eighteen individuals associated with the Moroccan Islamic Combat Group and Ansar al Islam. After the July 7 bombings in London, Italian law enforcement officials detained multiple terrorist suspects and quickly passed enhanced counter-terrorism legislation that, among other powers, increases the government,s ability to expel extremists deemed a threat to national security, authorizes improved surveillance techniques and brings internet operators under state supervision. Italy expelled thirteen individuals in the interest of national security during 2005, including Turin-based Imam Bouchta Bouriki. The closely coordinated investigation, arrest and extradition of failed London suicide bomber Hamdi Isaac is an example of effective international cooperation. Law enforcement authorities arrested Casablanca bombing suspect El Bahri Abdelouahed on May 9. Italy has submitted more names of suspected terrorist financiers to the UN 1267 Committee than any country other than the United States. A controversial decision to release three suspected terrorists, because their activities to recruit fighters for the insurgency in Iraq did not necessarily constitute terrorist activity, has complicated the government's aggressive campaign to pursue terrorist suspects and resulted in calls for increased coordination of national anti-terrorism prosecutions. Domestic left-wing and anarchist-inspired terrorist groups present a diminished threat due to Italian authorities, continued efforts to dismantle their organizations. However, the Informal Anarchic Federation has claimed responsibility for a series of small package bombs causing minimal damage. Extremist groups protesting a high-speed train line between Turin and Lyon, France caused considerable disruption and also threatened violence. End text. ¶2. (U) Post POC is Political Officer Stephen Anderson, andersonsc@state.gov or andersonsc@state.sgov.gov. SPOGLI