Roman Outrage

The brigatisti strike again

Nothing so infuriates Italy's terrorists as the spectacle of the democratic process at work. Just as the campaign for the country's early June parliamentary elections was beginning, the ruthless Red Brigades staged their most spectacular urban guerrilla attack since their abduction and murder of former Premier Aldo Moro last spring. Striking in the heart of Rome, a band of as many as 20 brigatisti swarmed into the district headquarters of the ruling Christian Democratic Party not far from such tourist attractions as Piazza Navona and Via Condotti.

The raiders handcuffed seven party staffers and smashed furniture. After planting five homemade bombs, three of which later exploded, they opened fire on three policemen making a check of the area. One of the officers was killed instantly and the other two were wounded. The terrorists then made a clean getaway.

On one wall in the wrecked offices, the brigatisti left behind a spray-painted Slogan: TRANSFORM THE FRAUDULENT ELECTIONS INTO A CLASS STRUGGLE. There was little doubt that they intended to keep on raising havoc right through the six-week campaign. Next day Christian Democratic offices and leaders were attacked in Naples, Genoa and Rome.

But the violence is not likely to produce the result that the Red Brigades seek. At week's end, every major Italian party, including the Communists, joined in a Rome rally to demonstrate solidarity against political violence and a determination to try to end Italy's raging epidemic of terrorism. So far this year, the tally of terrorist acts, from bombings to kneecappings to bank heists, stands at an astonishing 865 incidents.

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