Pomp and circumlocution

Last time Silvio Berlusconi, Italy’s colourful and impetuous prime minister, chaired the annual summit of the Group of Eight leading industrial nations, the venue in Genoa was the scene of massive anti-globalisation demonstrations and violent clashes with police. This year, Mr Berlusconi seems to be taking no chances. He is holding the G8 summit in a police barracks. Yet his sudden decision two months ago to switch the venue from an island off Sardinia to the earthquake zone of L’Aquila in central Italy seems more likely to result in logistical chaos than mass protests. The principal means of access to the site will be by helicopter. Most ordinary mortals will be unable to get near it. The annual event, originally billed as a “fireside chat” for a handful of world leaders, will still attract thousands of camp- followers, government officials, journalists, policemen, security staff and caterers. No fewer than 39 heads of state and government, and heads of international institutions, are expected – much to Mr Berlusconi’s delight. It will make the occasion “unique”, he told a press conference held on a cruise liner in Naples last week. Several are coming at his personal invitation.

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