ITALY PRIME MINISTER SAYS GAY RALLY "INOPPORTUNE"

ROME (CWNews.com) - Critics of a homosexual rally planned for Rome in June received support on Wednesday when Italian Prime Minister Giuliano Amato called the event "inopportune."

Amato told parliament that the 2000 World Gay Pride rally was "probably an inopportune festival in the Jubilee Year." Vatican officials and Italian Catholics had objected to the Rome city council's decision to allow the event because similar rallies worldwide have included blasphemy and anti-Catholic themes.

Amato said that the government would not oppose the festival but suggested it should be isolated and contained. "There are the conditions to limit the rally to a defined place, to isolate it from the rest of the city," he told the lower house. "But unfortunately we must adapt to the situation ... as we are bound by the constitution," he said.

While the president of the Lazio region, of which Rome is the capital, and the president of the province of Rome, have also expressed opposition, Rome Mayor Francesco Rutelli has refused to back down.

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