A media war of words has erupted in Italy after a newly appointed senator likened Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi to the late dictator Benito Mussolini.
Mario Luzi, 90, who was made a life senator three months ago, started the storm with remarks in the Rome daily Il Messaggero about an attack made on Berlusconi New Year's Eve, when a man hurled a camera tripod at the prime minister, causing a minor injury to his neck.
Luzi said it reminded him of an incident in 1926, when an Irishwoman named Violet Gibson fired a bullet at Mussolini, grazing the dictator's nose. Luzi said both attacks were because both men were provocative, confrontational and self-promoting figures who created tension.
He said Berlusconi later appeared in public with a bandage on his neck, just as Mussolini wore one on his nose, The Times of London reported.
"Berlusconi loves propaganda, like Mussolini," he said.
Fabrizio Cicchitto, a spokesman for Forza Italia, Berlusconi's party, was short in his response to the claims, calling them simply irresponsible.
© Copyright 2005 by United Press International
