|
:: Tuesday 13 July 2004 ::
Italy's very own Tampa.
And sadly, the Italians have blinked. Oz has very successfully cut the people smugglers into our parts well and truy outta business. And that is a good thing. At least in this case the Italians have arrested the crew which was effectively smuggling the folks into Italy after having first gone past Malta.
Seriously, read it an weep.
Right to the threats to throw themselves overboard and the lying about where they come from and the cruising past a safe haven and into a preferred haven.
Sound familiar Marian Wilkinson and David Marr? Hmmm? Julian Burnside?
The Italians have got to stiffen up, you know? Oz has. We have removed just about all likelihood that people smugglers will lie and take money off desperate people. Ain't nobody in harms way in our waters no more ('cept those mad Uruguayans with their Patagonian Ugfish fixation, or whatever it is).
But Europe, and mostly Italy, has 'em still coming in in droves.
And that is not a good thing. I am with Oriana Fallaci on this. But what can you when the Pope is weighing in against common sense. All short term compassion and no long term salvation.
Urgh.
:: WB 4:55 am [link+] ::
|