Libyan and Italian leaders hold talks; Berlusconi, protest

(10 Jun 2009)
1. Various of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi walking down plane steps, with Mohammed Al-Muktar, son of soldier who fought against Italians
2. Cutaway of officials waiting
3. Gadhafi embracing Berlusconi at bottom of steps
4. Gadhafi and Berlusconi shaking hands
5. Wide exterior of Presidential Palace
6. Gadhafi entering room and shaking hands with President Giorgio Napolitano
7. Pan of presidential guard and flags
8. Gadhafi and Napolitano walk to podium
++ARABIC SOUNDBITES ALSO HAVE ITALIAN TRANSLATION++
9. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Moammar Gadhafi, Libyan leader:
"Italy in fact has closed its relationship with colonialism and fascism. In addition to our friendship agreement, the indemnity and the apologies are all signs that Italy today is no longer the Italy of yesterday."
10. Cut-away photo of leader of libyan resistance Omar al-Mukhtar chained by Italian captors
11. SOUNDBITE (Italian) Giorgio Napolitano, Italian President:
"Our meeting has allowed us to compare our similar viewpoints for the joined effort that Italy and Libya need to make to resolve the crisis situations in Africa and in particular the joint effort that Italy and Libya need to push forward to find a solution in all aspects to the dramatic conditions in Somalia."
12. Gadhafi's car arriving at Italian Premier's office
13. Berlusconi and Gadhafi shake hands
14. Mid of Berlusconi and Gadhafi
15. Various of Berlusconi and Gadhafi inspecting honour guards
16. Berlusconi and Gadhafi shaking hands
17. Various of meeting between Berlusconi and Gadhafi
18. Wide of anti-Gadhafi protest on Piazza Farnese
19. Mid of banner reading: (Italian) "Italy accomplice - human rights are not for sale"
20. Protester speaking through loud hailer
21. Mid of banner reading: (Italian) "Free refugees detained in Libya"
22. Wide of protesters gathered outside French embassy on Piazza Farnese
STORYLINE:
Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi made his first visit on Wednesday to Libya's former colonial ruler, wearing a provocative reminder of Italy's 30-year occupation pinned to his military uniform: a black-and-white photo of a Libyan national hero killed by Italian authorities.
But Gadhafi still received a warm embrace from Premier Silvio Berlusconi, and the four-day visit was designed to highlight the close political and economic ties between Tripoli and Rome, strengthened by a five (b) billion US dollar agreement last year in which Italy will compensate Libya for its colonial rule.
Not everyone was as welcoming as Berlusconi.
Human rights groups and opposition politicians decried the Libyan strongman's visit, criticising Libya's human rights record and a recent deal under which Italy sends back immigrants to Libya without checking to see if any have legitimate asylum claims.
Human Rights Watch called the visit a celebration of the "dirty deal" between the two countries over immigration.
While Berlusconi and Gadhafi held talks, a few hundred people gathered in a downtown Rome piazza to protest.
Gadhafi's schedule was packed with a speech to the Senate, a rare honour for visiting dignitaries; a meeting with hundreds of prominent Italian women and another with some of the 20,000 Italians Gadhafi kicked out of Libya in 1970 to punish Rome for its occupation.
Italy, which ruled Libya from 1911 to 1941, rolled out the red carpet as Gadhafi arrived at Rome's Ciampino airport.
Gadhafi stepped off the Libyan plane wearing full dress military uniform and trademark sunglasses, female bodyguards in tow.
Pinned to his chest was the photo of Omar al-Mukhtar, a Libyan national hero who led a guerrilla war against the Italians in the 1920s and 1930s and was executed for it.
Gadhafi acknowledged Italy's efforts to improve relations.
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