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Gaddafi wants €5 billion to fight illegal immigration in the Mediterranean, 'or Europe will become Africa'
Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi last night met with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi in Rome and spoke about illegal immigration in the Mediterranean, warning that unless the EU finances €5 billion a year to Tripoli, "Europe will become Africa."
Gaddafi was speaking during a ceremony that marked the second anniversary since the establishment of a pact between Italy and Libya in a military compound in the outskirts of Rome.
He spoke about illegal immigration and said that unless the EU does not finance Tripoli, millions of African migrants would turn Europe into Africa over time.
He praised what he defined as "courageous" Silvio Berlusconi's stand to condemn Italy's colonial past, and augured further bilateral cooperation between Rome and Tripoli.
Gaddafi's visit to Italy was shrouded in controversy as he irked the Christian world and confessonal parties when he remarked that Europe's destiny is to become Islamic.
The remark caused a political storm in Italy with parties belonging to Berlusconi's already fragile coalition expressing "disgust" at the comment.
Northern League MPs stressed that the remark was offensive, while this morning's paper belonging to the major coalition partner to Berlusconi's government headline, "Let Europe be Christian."
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This shows in stark reality why Europe should stand up and be counted in the case of large scale and uncontrolled illegal immigration.
This has nothing to do with xenophobia; it is basically looking after your own.
Europe has simply put itself in a position to be blackmailed by Gaddafi, of all rulers.
But then, EU commissioners (unelected) who wield all the power in Brussels (unlike the elected MEPs who are only glorified spokespersons) are only interested in their huge perks that come with the job (more than that of the President of America).
Monique Cauchi •
I'm sure you were actually trying to say something there but it was lost in the translation somewhere. Oh and by the way, I'm neither a hypocrite, racist nor indeed a Catholic, so you are wrong on all counts. You may think it's strange but my opinion is that a country has the right to put its own people first. Perhaps you are one of those people who are happy to see your country being taken over by illegal immigrants, a lot of whom are outcasts in their own societies. Perhaps you are happy to sit back and allow Islam to take over in your country. If that is the case I would remind you of the words of Edmund Burke, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing”.
Alice Bugeja •
The Libyan leader may look and sound bizarre, that's for sure. To the Western mind of course. But as one Italian TV commentator put it, "si muove nel solco di una storia antica." Not only that, his terms of reference lie in the Libyan society which is still very tribal. If he intends to use those 5 billion euro to distribute them to sub-Saharan Africans thereby persuading them to stay home but in more comfortable circumstances, then he is morally right. European countries owe their former colonies that much and more. In that case, al-Qaddhafi's brinkmanship is not only morally right but the sanest and most plausible way of keeping these desperate people at home rather than venturing out to what they consider to be "pastures greener". Again, al-Qaddhafi may seem eccentric and all that - the proverbial "other", if you wish - but he makes sense in the dirty field of international politics.
COLIN GALEA •
So Norman lowell was right all the time
Keith Goodlip •
STILL as looney as ever!
John Camilleri •
Not only is he a brutal tyrant. He is also a dirty old man, which explains why he gets on so well with Berlusconi.
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He has been ranting on about this shit for the last 40 odd years. Whatever will happen to Europe - will happen irrespective of what this guy says or thinks.
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Gozoman, although I would not go to such extremes, I would support Gunboats and other vessels just outside Libyan waters to shoot ahead of any boat carrying illegal immigrants to make them turn back. This should be coupled with the expulsion of all illegal immigrants from whatever country they come.
Alfred Galea •
Where's Ronald Reagan when you need him?
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Hahahahaha you made me laugh Gozoman, I think you should look at the mirror first before calling anyone idiot, secondly I'm sure you are one of those catholic hypocrites who are racists, if you want I volunteer to start with you, cross between Gozo and Malta and you find me there waiting for you with a gun. Don't do others what you don't want others do to you Mr.Gozoman.
Monique Cauchi •
It would be a lot cheaper to purchase a few gunboats to patrol the area and blow anything leaving Libya out of the water. Who the hell does this idiot think he is anyway?
