VATICAN CITY, JUNE 21, 2002 (Zenit.org).- Vatican Radio, whose broadcast antennas were once accused of causing health problems, is complying with Italian law on electromagnetic contamination, a commission confirmed.
A bilateral commission comprising members of the Italian government and the Vatican came to this conclusion during a meeting Tuesday at the Italian Foreign Affairs Ministry.
The panel was formed in July 2000 after the Italian Green Party and neighbors associations accused Vatican Radio of harming the health of residents near the Santa Maria di Galeria transmitting center outside Rome.
The Italian delegation was headed by Senator Roberto Antonione, undersecretary of state for foreign affairs; and the Vatican delegation by Monsignor Celestino Migliore, undersecretary for relations with states.
The commission examined the results of joint measures carried out in February and March by Italian experts appointed by the Ministry of Communications with the agreement of Vatican Radio experts.
Last August, in order to decrease the emission of waves, Vatican Radio began to transmit some programs from the principality of Monaco. Vatican Radio said the experts verified that the changes have been effective.
To assure the residents of Santa Maria di Galeria, the bilateral commission promised to continue monitoring the situation.
Vatican Radio explained that the commission has warned about the problems that indiscriminate development might cause in the area, located about 30 kilometers (18 miles) from Rome. Since 2000, the region has had a train link to the center of Rome.
Directors of Vatican Radio said previously that the media campaign against the broadcasting station was due to real-estate interests intent on building homes in the area where the antennas are located.
