Italian Minister's Statement on Illegal Immigration Draws Sharp Criticism

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, June 17, 2003

Italian Minister's Statement on Illegal Immigration Draws Sharp Criticism

Italian Reform Minister Umberto Bossi's remarks on using force to drive away illegal immigrants triggered an avalanche of criticism from both allies and opponents Monday.

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Italian Reform Minister Umberto Bossi's remarks on using force to drive away illegal immigrants triggered an avalanche of criticism from both allies and opponentsMonday.

In an interview with the Italian daily Corriere della Sera, which was released Monday under the title of "Cannons to Stop the Aliens," Bossi said that he was impatient with the government's failure to implement the immigration legislation which was approved by the parliament a year ago.

"On Friday, I want to hear the sound of cannons. Otherwise, I'msaying goodbye," Bossi was quoted as saying.

After the remarks had provoked dismay among his center-right allies and expressions of horror from the center-left opposition, Bossi issued a denial and accused Corriere della Sera of inventingthe comments.

"The content of the interview does not reflect my thinking in any way nor does it reflect the sense of my words in what was a very brief exchange."

The denial came shortly after the Italian Minister for Relations with Parliament, Giovanni Giovanardi, said he hoped Bossi's had been joking.

"If someone were to really think about shooting at women and children, then it's clear that all dialogue would have to stop because we are on two different planets," Giovanardi said.

"This is a caveman idea," said Marco Follini, leader of the centrist UDC party, an ally of Bossi's in government, "Bossi says he wants to hear cannons, many others would like to hear him be quiet."

"This is an instigation to commit a crime," said Dario Franceschini, a leading member of the opposition Daisy party, "Bossi's statements require an immediate response from the premier."

Over 300 would-be immigrants landed over the weekend on Lampedusa, a stepping stone from Africa, joining the hundreds packed into the island's overcrowded reception centers.

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