Parliamentary questions
WRITTEN QUESTION P-2137/03
by Marco Cappato (NI) to the Council
(17 June 2003)

Subject: Declaration by Umberto Bossi, the Italian Minister for Institutional Reform, on immigration policy

On 16 June 2003, Umberto Bossi, the Italian minister for Institutional Reform, publicly stated that "Illegal immigrants should be thrown out, full stop. Only people with employment contracts should be allowed in. Out with the rest. There comes a time when one has to use force. The navy and Guardia di Finanza should line up to defend our shores and use the gun." On the same occasion, Mr Bossi specified that "After the second or third warning, that should be it .... bang. No more mincing words. Just shoot whoever they are. Otherwise we will never see the end of it."

In view of the principles underlying the European common immigration and asylum policy, let alone the rights and fundamental freedoms laid down in Articles 6 and 7 of the Treaty on European Union, does the Council not feel, especially in consideration of Italy's Presidency of the EU, that the Italian Government should be asked to clarify whether the statements on immigration policy made by one of its members represent that government's position?

P-2137/03
Reply
(13 October 2003)

It is not for the Council to express a view on public statements made by a member of the government of a Member State.