http://www.wvwnews.net/story.php?id=5243
By News Team ⋅
Following on from the declaration of a state of emergency in Italy sparked off by the http://www.wvwnews.net/story.php?id=5087 that country is suffering, the Italian government has announced that it is sending troops onto its streets to help curb illegal immigration.
The government signed a decree yesterday that will deploy 4,000 soldiers starting next week. They will patrol with police officers in large cities such as Rome, Milan, Naples and Palermo. They will not have powers of arrest, but will be able to detain people until police arrive.
They will also guard ’sensitive targets’ of http://www.wvwnews.net/story.php?id=4708, such as the Vatican, stations and embassies, and guard illegal immigrant detention centres on Italy’s southern coast.
“This proves that we are determined to eliminate citizens’ fears,” La Russa said of the plan, which will remain in effect for at least six months.Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s People of Freedom swept to power in April’s election promising a tough line on illegal immigrants and crime.
Immigration has jumped to the top of the political agenda after a spate of crimes linked to illegal immigrants, prompting legislation by Berlusconi’s government.
Last week, the government declared a state of emergency to deal with an influx of illegal immigrants, giving police and local authorities added powers to tackle related problems.
* Illegal immigrants in Brussels, Belgium yesterday occupied the top of several construction cranes in that city in an attempt to blackmail the Belgians into granting them permanent residence.
About 40 illegal immigrants took part in the protest. The protestors said they were on a hunger strike and were not drinking liquids either.
EU countries have been cracking down on illegal immigration recently, agreeing tough new rules forcing the 27 member nations to give residency permits or send them home.
http://www.bnp.org.uk/2008/07/italy-to-put-troops-on-streets-to-combat-illegal-immigration-invasion/