Italy's Berlusconi first EU leader to snub Arafat

JPost ^ | June 7, 2003 | HERB KEINON

[Guillermo]

Berlsuconi is one of the few, if only, EU leader who understands what Islam is all about.

[veronica]

FYI.

[sheik yerbouty]

Bravo Italia!

[Asclepius]

Since the end of the war in Iraq, and a parade of visits from world leaders, the foreign ministers of Germany, Japan, France and Spain have all insisted despite protests from Israel and the US on meeting Arafat.

This reflects no policy commitments. It's just that Arafat is so charming a host. Were I to visit Israel, I would meet with him too. And I would hug him and squeeze him until he turned blue and grew very, very cold. Later I would drive around the West Bank settlements with him perched beside me, waving at people, like a bad redux of Weedend at Berny's.

[July 4th]

Berlusconi leads the first Italian government that an American of Italian heritage can be proud of!

[glorgau]

Perhaps Berlusconi should propose a meeting on the Achille Lauro.

[CFC__VRWC]

How long do you suppose it will be before Chirac makes some snotty statement about how some EU leaders would do better if they were to just shut up and let their betters speak for them?

[firewalk]

bttt

[Welsh Rabbit]

I've read a lot of stuff lately from Italian writers and journalists who are concerned about Islam creeping into their country; Italy seems to be the only country in Western Europe that gets it (about Muslim immigration anyways).

[Paul_B]

> Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, slated to arrive Monday, will be the first senior EU leader to arrive in recent weeks and not meet Yasser Arafat.


Gotta like this guy.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Good post. (^:

***Operation Infinite Freedom - Situation Room - 8 JUN 03/Day 81***

[nothingnew]

Berlusconi leads the first Italian government that an American of Italian heritage can be proud of!

I agree. There are a few things I disagree with Burlesconi about, but for the most part, I admire him. I'm rather challenged about Italian history. They do seem to have a lot of "regime" changes for the past 50 years...anyone want to help me on that?

FMCDH

[lainde]

I've liked this guy since he declared Western culture was woorth defending!!!!

[Catspaw]

Not only the Achille Lauro, but also the shooting in the Rome airport. That Palie murder killed a student from Wisconsin.

[DoctorMichael]

Lets hope and pray THIS spreads! Good for him for sticking his neck out in this affair.

[July 4th]

They do seem to have a lot of "regime" changes for the past 50 years...anyone want to help me on that?

It's just the way the government is set up. All of the little coalitions give a lot of power to small groups. A minor party that leaves the coalition can collapse the government. It's not that they have a "regime" change, it's just that they need to have new elections every time the parliamentary coalition collapses. I think the average is about every 10 months.

[nothingnew]

Thank you.

They have a "parliamentary" form of government...(which I wish for here sometimes). In your estimation, how long can Burlesconi hold on?....I like the guy, don't make me cry!...heh heh heh...

FMCDH

[ffusco]

I've only heard of Orianna Falacci. Can you cite something.

Hope Italy listens to the Pope and has more babies, or Italy is finished.

[Guillermo]

If a European expresses concern over the Islamic horde sweeping over Europe, they are immediately denounced as a Nazi and intolerant xenophobic hatemonger.