German-Italian crisis goes from bad to wurst (Schultz: "Italy has a racist government")

IOL ^ | July 15 2003

[knighthawk]

Berlin - A German member of the European parliament whose clash with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi set off a diplomatic crisis said on Tuesday that Italy has a "racist government."

In an interview with Germany's XXP television, Martin Schulz criticised recent newspaper comments by Reforms Minister Umberto Bossi, who suggested that the Italian coast guard fire cannons on boats bringing illegal immigrants to Italy's shores.

"Alongside the dubious judicial policies, this is the second point that we have to watch - that, quite simply, a racist government is in office in Italy," Schulz said, according to extracts released by XXP.

Schulz drew Berlusconi's anger when he questioned the Italian leader during a parliament session July 2 in Strasbourg, France about legislation that critics say helped him skirt corruption charges. Berlusconi responded by telling Schulz he would be perfect for the part of a Nazi concentration camp guard in a movie.

That prompted Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder to demand an apology. Schroeder accepted Berlusconi's subsequent expression of "regret," but Schulz said he felt the Italian leader's choice of words was "quite calculated".

"He didn't get angry by accident - he felt caught out," said the lawmaker, a member of Schroeder's Social Democrats. "Then he deliberately took things too far in order to open another front and change the subject from the actual allegations."

German-Italian relations were overshadowed further last week when Schroeder, responding to a junior Italian minister's description of Germans as "hyper-nationalist" arrogant blonds, cancelled his planned summer vacation.

Stefano Stefani, an undersecretary for tourism, said his remarks were aimed not at all Germans but at Schulz. However, he resigned Friday at Berlusconi's request.

[knighthawk]

Europe-list

If people want on or off this list, please let me know.

[Dog Gone]

Sergeant Schulz needs to keep his fat mouth shut.

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[knighthawk]

Ping

[B Knotts]

The socialists always object to any reasonable control of immigration, and poison the well with the charge of "racism" (which cannot apply in most of these cases, as Berbers and Arabs are Caucasian).

[Naspino]

Liberals are caught in a constant cycle of hypocricy and apology. Its like a soap opera.

[Grampa Dave]

Friends of ours had a daughter in Northern Italy for close to a year after 9/11.

At first they were concerned for her safety. Then, she told them her that her biggest concern was being mistaken for a German. The Northern Italians hated the Germans. She is a tall and attractive blonde and being mistaken as a German really scared her.

Whenever, she came into a restaurant or a place of business in N. Italy, she would be looked at with scorn and she felt hatred. As soon as Italians heard her speak, they would relax and welcome her.

To get by this, her mother sent a stamp and stamp pad that would put a small red, white and blue eagle on her arm or hand. As soon as Italians who didn't know her, saw that small red, white and blue eagle, they would relax and ask her if she was an American. As soon they heard her speak, she was treated like a welcomed guest.

[Dog Gone]

Italians, in general, are WAY more fun to interact with than Germans. I've had some good times in Germany, but Italy is much more relaxed.

[Malesherbes]

How helpful it is that we are getting lectured by Herr Schultz who represents the most beloved people in Europe.

[OldFriend]

The economic issues in Germany must be deteriorating rapidly for them to be going on and on about this issue.