Anti-Imperialist Territorial Nuclei - Combatant Communist Party, Anti-Imperialist Territorial Units, Anti-Imperilist Territorial Nuclei (NTA)

The Anti-Imperialist Territorial Nuclei (NTA) are one part of a cohesive group of terrorists operating in Italy today.  These groups are Marxist-Leninist in orientation and engage in murders against Italian political and economic representatives.   Their philosophy and tactics are inherited from the Red Brigades, a terrorist organization that operated in Italy in the 1970s-1980s.  In fact, the Anti-Imperialist Territorial Nuclei go so far as having co-opted the Red Brigades' logo.<p><p>The Anti-Imperialist Territorial Nuclei espouse class struggle.  They are opposed to capitalism and the political and economic policies of Italy, NATO, and the United States.  In an open letter, the group criticizes the Italian state, the "imperialist bourgeoisie," and the "Zionist state," a reference to Israel (Communique 1, NTA).  According to Italian Verona Chief Public Prosecutor Guido Papalia, the NTA has "not even noticed the existence of anti-globalization protestors" and remains committed to the dated Communist rhetoric of attacking "the 'imperialist state' and to set up a dictatorship of the proletarian" (Papalia: No Longer Youngsters, and Living a Double Life, Flavio Haver).

The Anti-Imperialist Territorial Nuclei have committed many resources to joining forces with fellow Communist groups in Italy.  These groups specifically include the New Red Brigades and the Proletarian Revolutionary Nuclei (NIPR).  The coordination between these Communist groups has led to brutal murders, including assassinations of high-ranking officials.  Today, some Italian intelligence members report that these groups have effectively merged into one terrorist organization.

Little is known about the Anti-Mainstream Self Determination Faction, which has claimed responsibility for one attack.  The attack was against the offices of the Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE).  OTE is a publicly traded company that was created by the Greek government when it privatized the Greek telecommunications industry.  The Greek government still owns a substantial portion of the company's stock.  It seems likely that the Anti-Mainstream Self Determination Faction is a socialist organization that objects to the Greek government's extensive privatization campaign.  The group may also, however, have been protesting globalization by choosing a telecommunications firm as its target.