On Monday, December 10th, 2012, Free Trieste, Legambiente, and other environmental groups demonstrated in Trieste’s Northern Free Port. They called for compliance with the 1947 Italian Peace Treaty, the basic law of Trieste’s international Free Port, and voiced their opposition to Gas Natural’s proposed LNG terminal.
The demonstration was outside the former hydrodynamic plant, where the local Dioceses hosted a debate attended, among others, by Italian Minister for the Environment, Corrado Clini, and Regional President Renzo Tondo (the one who just “blessed” Gas Natural issuing an integrated environmental authorization for the LNG terminal in the Gulf of Trieste!).
The debate regarded “Development and environment: reclaiming Trieste”. Of course we appreciate economic development (we call for the Northern Free Port to work at its full potential since April!) but only in compliance with the law.
And the law establishes Trieste’s international Free Port as the economic core of the Free Territory of Trieste, placing it at service of all States.
Contrary to press reports, the demonstration was a peaceful and civil one. There was no animosity between the citizens and the police. However, it is true that some provokers tried to escalate tension (maybe the same ones who wanted to assault the City Council?).
Being associated with such people is harmful not only for our Movement, but for all of Trieste (maybe this is exactly why there were provokers in the first place?).
To prevent such unfortunate events, Free Trieste won’t partecipate to other group’s initiatives ever again.
Ours is a peaceful association of peaceful and loyal citizens who understand full well the importance of the rights of the Free Territory and of its international Free Port. We are not a political party, we are not an Italian organization, so, simply enough, we won’t associate with them again.