Posted on 04/15/2008 8:29:54 PM PDT by blam
Silvio Berlusconi says illegal migrants are 'army of evil'
By Malcolm Moore in Rome
Last Updated: 2:47am BST 16/04/2008
Silvio Berlusconi branded illegal immigrants an "army of evil" yesterday in his first day in office after winning Italy's general election.
Malcolm Moore: Silvio Berlusconi must rely on Umberto Bossi Mr Berlusconi, 71, who was elected on Monday to serve a third term as prime minister, said that he would "step up neighbourhood police, who can be an army of good, placing themselves between the Italian people and the army of evil".
Mr Berlusconi: My throne will be uncomfortable. But as I tell my friends, I have been unstoppable until now
He vowed to deport non-European Union citizens who "do not have work or home and are forced into crime in order to live".
His comments will have pleased his "post-fascist" allies and the Northern League, which declared four years ago that immigrants should be shot in their boats.
Mr Berlusconi's coalition drew up a harsh anti-immigration law in its last term in office, which was repealed by Romano Prodi's short-lived socialist government.
However, Italy has cracked down on the communities of illegal immigrants that have sprung up on the edges of its major towns, repatriating many Eastern Europeans.
Walter Veltroni, who lost the election to Mr Berlusconi, said he was shocked by the new prime minister's immediate plunge into polemic.
"I have been badly struck by his statements so far, words which do not add up to a good start," he said.
Mr Berlusconi replied: "My throne will be very uncomfortable. But as I tell my friends, I have been unstoppable until now.
"I feel very different from the Berlusconi of 2001. I know how this works, and I can be immediately working for the good of the country."
Although Mr Berlusconi won a crushing victory in the election, and will have a majority of at least 40 seats in the Senate, commentators said that he would be "held to ransom" by Umberto Bossi, whose secessionist Northern League will be a vital component of the future government.
To soothe Mr Bossi, Mr Berlusconi said that he was committed to splitting Italy in two, devolving the industrial North into its own state.
"Federalism is a fact of modernity. It is a great principle of democracy and liberty," he said.
A referendum on devolution was held in 2006 but Italians voted in huge numbers to remain united. However, Mr Bossi said: "This time we will do it. The first thing we will carry out is tax independence."
His supporters are tired of money generated in the North being used for handouts to the less affluent South.
In a frenzy of activity, Mr Berlusconi promised he would form a cabinet within a week, and that he had found a site in Naples to hold an emergency meeting in order to resolve the city's rubbish crisis.
He also hailed the disappearance of the Italian Communist Party. For the first time since the Second World War, the Communists failed to win a single seat in either house of parliament.
He received telephone calls of congratulations from President George W Bush, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany and President Nicolas Sarkozy of France.
Downing Street said the Prime Minister had telephoned Mr Berlusconi to offer his "warm congratulations".
He also wrote saying he looked forward to working "closely" with him on issues ranging from foreign affairs and climate change to international development and Europe.
As he repeated a lavish string of promises, including a rescue plan for Alitalia, Italy's stricken national airline, Mr Berlusconi was warned by Joaquin Almunia, the EU finance commissioner, to sort out Italy's troubled finances.
Several al-Qa'eda-linked websites flashed up messages in the aftermath of his victory, one of which said: "Let Allah curse Berlusconi and unleash his rage against him."
Europe is going to be swamped with refugees from Africa as soon as the food shortage/price increase pressure is really felt.
You gotta love this guy.
Silvio Berlusconi for President!
“Let Allah curse Berlusconi and unleash his rage against him.”
Once again the muzzies prove what they’re protesting against. They ARE an army of evil.
Would Italy trade Berlusconi for McCain?
I just fell in love....and I’m not gay!
I don’t know much about the guy, but I like him already. Can’t wait to read more about him. Too bad we couldn’t have found someone like him to run in this country!
it's called self-preservation
Hey! McLame! Get a clue!!
The fact that Al-Qaeda websites decided to attack Berlusconi is a big plus in my book. I don’t remember Al-Qeada sites posting anything similiar when that Spanish surrender “mono” Zapatero won his elections.
At least Italy is trying to save itself. Britain is surrendering as fast as they can.
Say, RockinRight
That’s a GREAT idea! There aren’t any conservatives running for President—get him over here on one of Bush’s and Condi “I love the Palestinian terrorists” Rice’s H-1B visas! We’ll put him to work!
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