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Italian Police Clash with Opponents of New Rail Link with France
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1013C95:3919ACA Officers bulldoze
proposed construction site  in Alpine Susa valley, which is scheduled
to host Winter Olympic events in February Italian police clashed with
protesters early Tuesday as officers prepared to bulldoze the proposed
construction site for a high-speed rail link in the Alpine Susa
valley, which is scheduled to host Winter Olympic events in February.







Protesters block Turin central railway station, Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2005,
demonstrating against proposed construction site for high-speed rail
linkHundreds of police officers descended at dawn on the site in the
Susa valley where construction of a high-speed rail link between Italy
and France has been delayed due to the opposition of residents.

Police say they met resistance from protesters who have been camping
out at the site near the village of Venaus. Some 200 protesters
refused to move and scuffles broke out with the police.

Around 20 people, including five police officers, were taken to the
hospital to be treated for minor injuries. The government later denied
that police were too rough with the protesters.

Police used a bulldozer to clear the site, including barriers erected
by the protesters, and fenced off the area. But the situation in the
valley remains very tense.



Leaders of the protest accused police of using undue force. The
president of the mountain community, Antonio Ferrentino, who heads the
protest with the other mayors of the region, said citizens should not
be assaulted by the police in the middle of the night while they are
sleeping.

"We are here with all the residents and mayors to say the public works
in this country, like in no other European country, can be done with
the use of force," he said. "There must be dialogue to obtain the
support of the population.

Solidarity with the residents of the valley is growing with many
voicing their indignation at the use of force by police. After the
clashes, the leaders of the protest called for a general strike in the
region.

Factories, shops and schools closed down. Protesters occupied key
roads and rail links, cutting off the valley. They say the rail link
will ruin the area and that drilling the 53-km tunnel will release
potentially harmful material such as asbestos and uranium.

But supporters of the project say the line will cut pollution by
reducing the amount of goods transported by road. Transport Minister
Pietro Lunardi said the valley must resign itself to the new rail link
between Italy and France because it will go ahead.

The center-left opposition said the use of force was incomprehensible
and unacceptable and called on the government to address parliament on
the serious incidents in the Susa valley.

 


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