Freedom Fries, Hold the Freedom

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The U.S. State Department is warning Americans in Italy that "not all demonstrations" planned during George Bush's visit this weekend "are expected to be peaceful." Italian peace groups are organizing several demonstrations; one Rome-based activist explained: "We are going to disrupt this visit ... because this city rejected the war ... and [we] cannot do anything but to refuse this war's leader." French activists will not have the same opportunity. The Financial Times reports: "Demonstrations have been banned in central Paris throughout this week to ensure no hostile protests" disturb Bush's Saturday visit, when "he will be dining with President Jacques Chirac." The ban "underscores Mr. Chirac's determination ... to improve the chilly state of Franco-American relations."