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10,000 immigrants waiting for better weather
By MaltaMedia News
Mar 2, 2008 - 7:17:40 PM
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Favourable weather conditions in the centre of the Mediterranean has led to new influxes of illegal immigrants on the Southern coasts of Europe, including a boat of 24 who landed in Malta in the wee hours on Saturday.
Close to a 1,000 illegal immigrants have made it to the island of Lampedusa in less than a week. As these boats continue to make it to the Italian shores, the Italian police forces continue to accuse the Libyan government of lack of action. It is estimated that at least 10,000 hopefuls are waiting on the Libyan coast for their turn to be packed on a boat of sorts and cruised to within miles off the shores of Malta, Sicily or France or whichever other European nook or gateway.
Joint maritime patrols by Italian Coastal Guards and Libyan forces, in Libyan territorial waters, are still up to now just ageing promises, almost a year and a half old, which Ghaddafi had promised Prodi’s government.
The argument is soon however expected to be resurrected as better weather conditions will undoubtedly lead to greater numbers of boats and political pressures will subsequently rise yet again. It will also follow the discussion about Frontex’s plans to open bases in the Mediterranean, including one in Malta, and the debate over a European immigration and asylum pact to be discussed in the coming months.
As things stand today, illegal immigrants passing through Maltese territorial waters are not compelled to come ashore but this may soon change.
© Copyright 2008 by MaltaMedia.com
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Latest update:
Mar 4, 2008 - 12:22:32 PM CET
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