Italy Says Warning Unfounded

Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said Thursday that there is “no need for particular concern” as his defense chief criticized the U.S. government for warning that extremists might target Americans in four Italian cities on Easter.

Nevertheless, Italy stepped up security in the wake of the State Department’s warning Wednesday that a “possible threat exists to U.S. citizens in the cities of Venice, Florence, Milan and Verona on Easter Sunday from extremist groups.” It urged Americans to be alert and avoid large crowds.

After a Cabinet meeting Thursday, Berlusconi said Italy was ready to deal with any possible terrorist threat. “We have put anything that can be put on alert on alert,” he said, “but based on the information we have, there is no need for particular concern.”

A U.S. official said the warning was based on information developed in cooperation with Italian authorities. But Italian Defense Minister Antonio Martino, who commands both defense forces and paramilitary police, said the U.S. decision to issue the warning was “unfortunate and inopportune.”

In Washington, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher stood by the decision to issue the warning, saying the United States feels a strong obligation to speak out when there is a credible and specific threat that cannot be eliminated in advance.