ARAB-EUROPEAN RELATIONS - July 26 - Italy Gets New Threat On Pullout.

In a second threat in two weeks against the government of PM Silvio Berlusconi regarding Italian forces in Iraq, Islamic militants Abu Hafs Al-Masri Brigades linked to Al Qaeda issues a statement warning the Italian government to withdraw its forces from Iraq or it will "shake the earth" everywhere in Italy. It says: "This is a warning and a threat to the Italian government, which devoted itself to serving the criminal American crusade, to follow suit with those who preceded you and leave the land of Iraq. Otherwise, we will change our correspondence into words of blood and shake the earth everywhere in your lands. To the despicable Italian Prime Minister: If you have not heard this threat, then we will make you hear it in Rome, in every place and under the feet of your people, with Allah's will. We give you, Berlusconi, a few days only, then you will see things that displease you". There was no way to verify the authenticity of the statement. In an interview with Il Giornale newspaper, Italy's interior minister Giuseppe Pisanu said: "We are doing everything possible, but at the same time we know that total security exists nowhere in the world. The Interior Ministry, police forces and security services are working constantly and in coordination to confront Al Qaeda and all threats, internal and external, to national security". Pisanu said Italy had identified 13,600 targets at risk, including the Vatican in Rome. About 4,000 soldiers have already been brought in to protect the sites alongside the police forces. But he said Italy and other countries would continue to find it difficult to deal with threats by suicide bombers without infringing on civil liberties. More co-operation is needed in Europe, despite improvements after the 3/11 train bombs in Madrid, Pisanu continued. He said: "I'm sorry to have to admit it, but even the Madrid attacks did not clear the way for full collaboration among police and intelligence services of the European Union or even among those countries most at risk. There are legal, technical, historical and cultural differences that are difficult to overcome. Everything possible must be done". US officials and some terrorism experts believe that Abu Hafs Al Masri, which claimed responsibility for the 3/11 train bombings in Madrid, lacks credibility and has only tenuous ties to Al Qaeda. It has issued claims for events where it almost certainly had no involvement, including blackouts in North America and Britain. A July 16 statement by the same group threatened to "burn" Italy if Berlusconi, a strong supporter of Pres Bush, was not removed from office. The PM has remained steadfast, though many Italians have called for a troop withdrawal. On July 24, another group, The Tawhid Islamic Group, warned Australia and Italy to withdraw their forces from Iraq. Italy sent 3,000 troops to Iraq after the ouster of Saddam to help rebuild the country. The contingent is based in the southern city of Nasiriyah. Australia has nearly 900 troops in and around Iraq.