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Berlusconi alleges hounding by leftists

MILAN June 17. The Italian Premier, Silvio Berlusconi, made a rare — and possibly his last — appearance in a Milan court on Tuesday for his trial on bribery charges, insisting there was no evidence against him and lamenting the damage that was being done to Italy's image abroad.

Mr. Berlusconi is the first sitting Italian Premier to stand trial and it was only the third time he had showed up since the proceeding began three years ago. With an immunity law about to be passed, it may be his last appearance for some years.

Last month, he told judges that his role in a contested business deal only served the best interest of the nation.

Mr. Berlusconi's appearance came a few weeks before Italy takes over the E.U. rotating presidency and a day before the lower House of Parliament votes on an immunity law that would halt the Premier's trial. The Senate has already approved the measure.

``I wonder how the money of Italian citizens can be spent setting up a trial that is based exclusively on inventions,'' the Premier told the packed courtroom during the hour-long appearance.

The courtroom, which is normally used for ceremonies, was heavily guarded by policemen. Mr. Berlusconi is accused of bribing judges in Rome to sway a ruling on the sale of former state-controlled food company SME in the 1980s, before he was a politician. Mr. Berlusconi has said the company was about to be sold off too cheaply, so he stepped in after pleas from the then Premier, Bettino Craxi.

Mr. Berlusconi, who is Italy's richest man, has denied any wrongdoing and portrayed himself as the victim of a political vendetta by left-leaning prosecutors.

``There isn't — I repeat, I want to say this strongly — a piece of evidence, an accusation, a document. And there is no motive,'' he said.The Premier said that because of the trial, ``tonnes of mud have been thrown at me for seven years by newspapers, television, in Italy and abroad.'' Charges were initially filed in the case seven years ago.

Mr. Berlusconi also accused the prosecution of withholding evidence that would prove him innocent. The documents, he said, are kept in a file that has not been made public or available to the defence.

``If there's a trial against Silvio Berlusconi, his defence lawyers must have access to the papers,'' he said. The file reportedly includes testimony by magistrates who have investigated in the case over the years, which Mr. Berlusconi claims is favourable to him. He asked that those magistrates be heard in court.

As the Premier left courtroom, some booed him, while others starting chanting his name, shouting, ``Up With Silvio'' and clapping hands. Outside court, chants continued, with one man shouting, ``Enough with Stalinists! Stalinists in Cuba!''

Mr. Berlusconi said that to make the appearance, he had to postpone a meeting with the Greek Prime Minister, Costas Simitis. The meeting was scheduled for later Tuesday. Mr. Berlusconi also said he was willing to attend upcoming hearings, adding he would be available on June 25. But if the Chamber of Deputies passes the immunity law, Tuesday's appearance might be the Premier's last for some time.

Mr. Berlusconi's conservative coalition has a comfortable majority in both Houses of Parliament. The law would protect from trial the country's top five officials — the Premier, the President, the leaders of both Houses of Parliament and the Chief of the Constitutional Court — as long as they hold their office.

Mr. Berlusconi is the only one of the five standing trial. His mandate ends in 2006.

The Premier insists an immunity law would safeguard the democratic will of those who elected him from the unfounded charges of leftist magistrates.

Opponents accuse the billionaire businessman of using his power to protect himself and his private interests.

Italy's politicians had immunity from prosecution until it was yanked in 1993 amid popular outcry over the ``Clean Hands'' scandal, in which Milan prosecutors uncovered widespread corruption in politics and business.

AP

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