Wave of Immigrants Laps at Italy's Door

The latest boat load of immigrants to arrive in Europe reached the Sicilian coastline at the beginning of the week under the cover of darkness. Sicilian coastguards occupied the boat before towing it to the port of Porto Palo, where the 150 immigrants, or 'clandestini' as they are known locally, were taken to an emergency reception center for medical treatment. Italian authorities reported that two of those on board the ship were arrested on charges of human trafficking.

A European problem

With the number of 'clandestini' washing up on Italy’s shores rising sharply over the past month, the issue of immigration has risen to the top of politician’s agendas. But it is not only an Italian problem.

In Spain, authorities wrestle almost daily with a tide of illegal immigrants landing on its shores from countries in north and sub-Saharan Africa. Just this past Sunday police stopped 143 people attempting to enter mainland Spain via the Canary Islands. In Germany, where illegal immigrants from Eastern Europe frequently rely on holes in the border crossings to Poland, a French-bound truck smuggling Chinese and Afghan immigrants was detained by Polish customs officials on Monday. And in Turkey, authorities on Monday rounded up 244 would-be immigrants from Afghanistan, China, Iran and Pakistan.

But it is in Italy where the issue seems to be ruffling the most feathers. Part of this owes to the government’s attempts to focus on the crisis as Italy prepares to take over the rotating European Union presidency on July 1.

An Italian-European solution

Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini has called for the creation of transit camps in the Mediterranean for illegal immigrants as a way of countering the wave of human traffic into Europe. The suggestion, which was first presented by Britain’s Prime Minister Tony Blair at last week’s EU summit in Greece, has met with strong criticism by human rights groups who say such camps are "unlawful." Britain is nonetheless in favor of setting up at least a pilot project in Europe, and Italy seems to have the motivation to push forward on the plans.

Speaking to the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera on Monday, Frattini said Italy was willing to work to establish a maritime control center for the southeast Mediterranean in Cyprus "to house clandestine migrants stopped at sea until they are sent back to their home countries." The foreign minister also proposed setting up similar centers in Malta with the cooperation of Britain and Spain.

In another effort to stem illegal immigration, Frattini suggested that Italy could offer a 'reward' to countries which agree to prevent their citizens from attempting to cross the waters to Italy. "Italy could increase legal immigration quotas from countries who succeed in stopping clandestine immigrants from leaving their shores. It would be a sort of reward for good behavior," the minister told the paper.

From the other side of the Mediterranean, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi responded to such suggestions with a warning to European leaders that African states would not stem the flow of illegal immigrants until the EU increases its cooperation with Africa to alleviate poverty on the continent.

Italian government at odds over immigration

While the Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi claims to have the immigration problem under control, the issue is causing a heated debate within the ranks of his coalition government.

Italy's reforms minister and head of the far-right Northern League, Umberto Bossi, caused a storm last week when the Corriere della Sera quoted him as saying 'clandestini' should be shot out of the water: "After the second or third warning, bang… we fire the cannon. Without too much talking. A cannon to knock out whoever may be there. Otherwise we're never going to end this problem."

Bossi, who has already threatened to withdraw his support from the conservative coalition unless immigration controls are toughened, is waging a tough battle. "There comes a time when it is necessary to resort to the use of force," the newspaper quoted him as saying.

Since his interview was published, the far-right leader and number three man in the government has released a statement in which he insists the newspaper misinterpreted his views. But the paper is standing firm, claiming it printed only the truth.

Speaking at a United Nations Refugee Commission event in Berlin on Monday, German Interior Minister, Otto Schilly said the comments were "in no way acceptable," and called on the Italian reform minister to formally review his statements.