“Our embassies are in a safe position”, said Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi, speaking today on the Uno Mattina programme and referring to the anti-Islam film on Mohammad that is deemed to be blasphemous. “However”, added the Minister, “we are exercising the maximum surveillance”.
“Our embassies are in a safe situation”
Terzi explained that “we have checked the situation in the 20 countries most likely to see reactions to the infamous film, and our embassies are in a safe position. […] We’ve taken all the necessary measures in response to recent events and we have no reason to directly fear violent demonstrations or incidents. Nor we have any reason to consider that the many Italian nationals and companies operating in such countries are in danger”, added the Minister.
Maximum vigilance
“We are naturally exercising the maximum vigilance”, underscored Terzi. “This situation requires a sense of responsibility from each of us in our relations with political Islam – from the country and from the Government, but from individuals and from media organisations too. It also requires the utmost responsibility in monitoring our security and the security of all our offices, government and otherwise”.
In the meantime, the violence is continuing. In Kabul, 12 people have been killed in a suicide attack. Terzi expressed “the firmest possible condemnation of the attack, and of all the other attacks seen in recent days. Starting with the one that cost the life of a worthy, brave and truly great diplomat, the US Ambassador Chris Stevens”. Ambassador Stevens was killed in the attack on the US Consulate in Benghazi, in Libya, on 11 September 2012.
