1.
GV EXTERIOR: parliament building, Rome, Italy.
0.08

2.
SV INTERIOR: Enrico Berlinguer, awaiting the arrival of Christian democrats, who file into room. (2 shots)
1.09

3.
SV: Aldo Moro, president of Christian Democrats, seated, then gets up and shakes hands with others entering room. (2 shots)
1.17



Initials RH



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Political violence and crime in Italy continues and fresh clashes in the past week, in which a woman and a policemen were shot dead, prompted some urgent action by the country's minority Christian Democrat government, in Rome on Friday (20 May).

SYNOPSIS: In an attempt to find agreement in Italy's divided parliament, the Christian Democrats, who rule with a minority, called for talks with the powerful Communist party, led by Enrico Berlinguer. It is a move that could bring the Communists into the Italian government for the first time in 30 years. The negotiations began after the Socialists and Communists, who control a total of 45 per cent of the seats in the House of Deputies, declared that they were no longer prepared to support the Christian Democrat administration by abstaining in parliament, unless they had more influence over the Democrats actions. Signor Berlinguer said later there was agreement between the two sides on law and order in general, but there were still differences over some important questions, like the formation of a police union, opposed by the Christian Democrats.

Aldo Moro, president of the Christian Democrats, stressed that negotiations were very complex and there were still many difficulties to overcome.