http://www.yahoo.com/headlines/current/international/stories/andreotti.html (Einblicke ins Internet, 10/1995)
NEW YORK (Reuter) - Former Italian Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti, who goes on trial next month, said Thursday that rogue U.S. intelligence agents may have helped concoct charges that he protected the Mafia. The seven-times prime minister, a dominant figure in Italian politics for more than four decades, told Reuters in an interview that he almost suffered a nervous breakdown when he was first accused of helping the Mafia.
``I must confess, that for a few months when these accusations first came up, the shock made me fear a nervous breakdown,''h said.
Andreotti says the investigation against him has produced nothing but hearsay evidence from informers trying to save themselves from long jail terms.
He said there was ``a possible involvement of the U.S. intelligence service, some person or persons because that happens in all countries.
``This doesn't mean a decision at the highest levels of U.S. intelligence. We have seen this phenomena of individuals doing things. Things like that do happen.''
Andreotti is accused by Mafia turncoats of being a full member of the Mafia and its protector in Rome for the decades before vast corruption probes destroyed the power of his once dominant Christian Democrat party.
They allege he secretly met Cosa Nostra boss of bosses Salvatore Riina and exchanged a kiss of respect with him.
Andreotti says he is the victim of a conspiracy.
``Somebody must have concocted this whole series of accusations. It is one thing to hear rumors that the Mafia has its protectors in Rome, but it is far different to say I met Mr Riina and we exchanged kisses,'' he said.
Andreotti said he plans to attend the start of his trial set for September 26 in Palermo because ``otherwise it would look like I am being tried in absentia.''
Prosecutors also allege that Andreotti, known by foreign leaders as ``Mr Italy'' in his heyday, ordered the assassination of a crusading journalist, Mino Pecorelli.
Andreotti said that about a week before his trial starts he will publish a book about his life. He hopes it will become a bestseller because he needs the money for his defense.