Italians March in US Base Protest

Thousands of people are marching in the north-eastern Italian city of Vicenza against a planned extension of the US army base there.

Organisers say the majority of local people are opposed to US plans. They say Prime Minister Romano Prodi has ignored strong local objections.

Thousands of extra police are on duty in Vicenza for what has been planned as a peaceful march.

There are fears that radical fringe groups will try to cause violence.

Vicenza's mayor fears the march will be infiltrated by left-wing radicals from other EU states intent on causing violence - as happened in Genoa six years ago, when rioting during a G8 summit caused heavy damage, one death and many injuries.

Special trains and buses from various parts of Italy arrived in Vicenza for the protest march.

 

Many of them have been chartered by leftist parties and the Greens, members of Mr Prodi's ruling coalition, although the prime minister has banned ministers from attending the march.