Italians debate Bush visit

ROME, May 9 (UPI) -- Italian politicians are debating whether anti-Bush demonstrations would be appropriate during the president's forthcoming visit to Rome.

The strong opposition in Italy to the U.S.-led war crosses party lines. Moreover, anti-Bush sentiment runs very high among Italians.

The problem is the purpose of the Bush visit. Bush will be in Rome on June 4 to take part in ceremonies marking the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Rome in World War II.

"It's an occasion to acknowledge what the Americans did to liberate our country, and an anti-Bush demonstration at that time would be a mistake," said Marco Follini, leader of the Union of Christian Democrats, an opposition party.

The conservative government of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has said it welcomes the U.S. presidential visit. But Clemente Mastella of the small Popular Alliance calls Bush's visit "inappropriate" while saying a demonstration on June 4 would be "a grave error."

Predictably, the Italian communists have said they will join the demonstration. A party spokesman, Gianfranco Pagliarulo, said, "There is no reason why George Bush should come to Italy on June 4. We have no reason to share our celebration with him."