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Silvio Berlusconi Declares Naples Street Rubbish Dumps 'Military No-Go Zones'
The Telegraph (UK) ^ | 5-21-2008 | Malcolm Moore

Posted on 05/22/2008 7:53:13 AM PDT by blam

Silvio Berlusconi declares Naples street rubbish dumps 'military no-go zones'

By Malcolm Moore in Naples
Last Updated: 10:30PM BST 21/05/2008

Silvio Berlusconi promised to wash Italy clean of fear and use "absolute firmness" against any dissent. The 71-year-old prime minister held the first meeting of his new cabinet in rubbish-strewn Naples in order to resolve the city's perennial problems of crime and unemployment.

At the end of the five-hour meeting, Mr Berlusconi promised to govern the city and the country with an iron fist. "We have painful tasks ahead, but we will act with unswerving determination," he said.

He reclassified the areas of the city containing rubbish dumps as "areas of national strategic interest" and added: "That means they are now military zones".

Until now, Naples had been unable to use many of its dumps because local residents have mounted protests.

Mr Berlusconi said: "Anyone who comes into these zones or tries to impede their functioning will be punished with three months to a year in prison. The ringleaders of any protests in the city will be punished with between one and five years in prison.

"We will intervene with all of our force and authority. This state must become a proper state again."

The cabinet also approved a "security package" that would target illegal immigrants and punish them with up to four years in prison.

After outlining his uncompromising new stance, Mr Berlusconi retired to the Hotel Vesuvius, where he stayed in a 3,500 sq ft "imperial" suite.

Naples prepared for Mr Berlusconi's arrival with a campaign to remove any trace of the rubbish that had been lying on the streets. However, it later emerged that the rubbish had been shifted only a few blocks away to streets that his cavalcade would not pass through.

As Mr Berlusconi and his cabinet met, thousands of Neapolitans took to the streets in protest. Ten separate marches were staged in protests about unemployment, rubbish and immigration. Under Mr Berlusconi's new rules, these protests may now become illegal.

The hard line taken by the government was heavily criticised by many of the marchers, who accused Mr Berlusconi of playing on people's fears about immigrants.

"This is a classic fascist tactic to make us take our anger out on foreigners because we do not have jobs," said Carmine Ruggiero, one marcher.


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: berlusconi; foreigners; immigration; italy; naples; rubbish
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To: blam

A 71-year old billionaire with a convincing majority in parliament may actually get something done. He knows it’s his last chance.


21 posted on 05/22/2008 12:19:53 PM PDT by Malesherbes
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To: P8riot

I’ve been reading about the garbage problem in Naples since last summer. I was thinking that it would be resolved by the time I go in September, but I guess not...Glad to hear you like Sorrento...We’ll be there two nights.


22 posted on 05/22/2008 2:38:02 PM PDT by Dr. Scarpetta
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To: Dr. Scarpetta
Enjoy. There are beautiful views of Naples bay several places throughout the city. They sell a lot of inlaid wood items there too. There is one particular restaurant that I like, Ristorante 'O Parrucchiano, that serves some of the best food in town. The atmosphere is wonderful, and they have a really nice patio area.
23 posted on 05/22/2008 2:55:01 PM PDT by P8riot (I carry a gun because I can't carry a cop.)
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To: P8riot

Photos are beautiful. Thanks for the info!


24 posted on 05/22/2008 2:59:38 PM PDT by Dr. Scarpetta
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To: blam

“”This is a classic fascist tactic to make us take our anger out on foreigners because we do not have jobs,” said Carmine Ruggiero, one marcher.”

Oy vey. The Italian Liberals are as stupid as USA liberals.


25 posted on 05/22/2008 3:04:12 PM PDT by AuntB (Vote Obama! ..........Because ya can't blame 'the man' when you are the 'man'.... Wanda Sikes)
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To: Dr. Scarpetta

You’re most welcome. I make it a point to eat there at least once every time that I’m in town.


26 posted on 05/22/2008 3:05:47 PM PDT by P8riot (I carry a gun because I can't carry a cop.)
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To: P8riot

I printed out the home page, and I’ll put it aside with my things for that trip. Thanks again...


27 posted on 05/22/2008 3:12:28 PM PDT by Dr. Scarpetta
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