Originally published July 10, 2009 at 12:00 AM | Page modified July 10, 2009 at 8:22 AM
Comments (0)
E-mail article
Print view
Share
First ladies with G-8 view quake ruins
Michelle Obama and other first spouses toured the center of L'Aquila on Thursday to see the destruction wrought by an earthquake in the Italian city hosting world leaders for the Group of Eight summit this week.
The Associated Press
L'AQUILA, Italy — Michelle Obama and other first spouses toured the center of L'Aquila on Thursday to see the destruction wrought by an earthquake in the Italian city hosting world leaders for the Group of Eight summit this week.
Obama shook her head as she took in the extent of the damage to centuries-old churches and other treasures turned to rubble by the earthquake that claimed more than 300 lives.
The U.S. first lady walked along piles of debris through L'Aquila's main square and in front of a destroyed government palace.
She listened to explanations by Italian rescue officials and shook hands with firefighters working to clear the wreckage and prop up damaged buildings to allow reconstruction.
The brief tour passed near L'Aquila's damaged cathedral and the 18th-century Chiesa delle Anime Sante, whose cupola has all but collapsed.
The first spouses ended the walk at the prefecture, the local government building that collapsed in the quake, leaving only a few Greek-styled columns standing.
The tour of around 50 people included Sarah Brown, wife of British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, and Filippa Reinfeldt, wife of Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt.
The April 6 earthquake killed 308 people and leveled entire blocks in L'Aquila and the surrounding Abruzzo region, displacing more than 50,000 residents. The Italian government chose the mountain city to host the three-day G-8 summit to highlight the population's plight, but some survivors fear the move is diverting time and resources from the rebuilding of their shattered homes.
A small group of residents tried to stage a protest on the route of the first spouses' tour but heavy security kept them away.
Michelle Obama plans to join her husband and daughters for a private audience with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican on Friday.
On Thursday evening, after her return to Rome from L'Aquila, Michelle Obama, joined by her daughters, took a private, 30-minute tour of the Pantheon, the well-preserved ancient Roman monument with a massive concrete dome in the heart of the city.
That was their second early-evening tour of archaeological Rome. At sunset on Wednesday, the three had a private visit of the Colosseum, the ancient arena.
Isabella Rauti, the wife of Rome's mayor, told the Italian news agency ANSA that the U.S. first lady had spoken to her about her daughters, Malia and Sasha, saying: "I want to teach them that Italy isn't just pizza." The two women had met earlier during the Rome visit.
Copyright © 2009 The Seattle Times Company
More Nation & World headlines...
E-mail article
Print view
Share
![]()
Obama puts heat on Senate to speed health bill
Fitting public policy into push for fitness
Sole Republican to vote for bill knows price
The day The Wall finally came down
Imam: Mosque not linked to hijackers

Mourners gather at KeyArena for slain officer's memorial
Mourners gathered at KeyArena for the memorial service of Seattle police Officer Timothy Brenton on November 6, 2009.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- Bombs, guns found at home of suspect in Officer Brenton's slaying
- How an underdog named Mike McGinn took City Hall
- 3 Cascade Mountain passes close due to snow; more rain, wind expected Sunday
- The birth of 'Grunge,' in photos by Michael Lavine
- Teenage serial burglar suspected in more Camano Island burglaries
- Steve Kelley | Huskies have to learn to finish
- Flags were key link to cop slaying, bombings
- U.S. House passes health plan
- Briefs | Soccer: New Mexico suspends hair-pulling player Elizabeth Lambert
- Seahawks overcome 17-0 deficit to win 32-20
- U.S. House passes health plan
378 - Bombs, guns found at home of suspect in Officer Brenton's slaying
299 - Grading the game
161 - Referendum 71 show's Washington's strategy for marriage equality is working
161 - Beavers open as 10-point favorites against Huskies
95 - How an underdog named Mike McGinn took City Hall
94 - Sounders FC-Dynamo playoff Game 2 thread
81 - Fort Hood shooting suspect had shown troubling signs
75 - Game thread: Detroit Lions at Seattle Seahawks, Nov. 8
74 - Landmark health bill passes House on close vote
72
- The birth of 'Grunge,' in photos by Michael Lavine
- Bombs, guns found at home of suspect in Officer Brenton's slaying
- 10 investing missteps to avoid
- Tlingit heritage helps glass artist Preston Singletary break new ground
- 10 ways to take control of your health
- How an underdog named Mike McGinn took City Hall
- How do innovators think?
- Danny Westneat | Lee the Horse Logger found slow wagon shrank tumor
- The local, public face of Chase, Phyllis Campbell is trading on trust
- 3 Cascade Mountain passes close due to snow; more rain, wind expected Sunday








