Ten more questions for Silvio Berlusconi

1. When did you first meet Noemi Letizia? How many times did you meet her and where? Have you frequented other minors and do you still do so?

2. What is the reason that forced you to not tell the truth for two months, instead giving four different versions of your acquaintance with Noemi before making two belated admissions?

3. Do you not find it a serious matter for Italian democracy and for your leadership that you paid the girls that call you "papi" (daddy) with candidatures and promises of political responsibilities?

4. You stayed with a prostitute the night of 4 November 2008, and, according to judicial investigations, dozens of call girls have been taken to your residences. Were you aware that they were prostitutes? If not, are you able to guarantee that those encounters have not made you vulnerable to blackmail?

5. Have any "official government flights" without you on board ever been used to take female party guests to your residences?

6. Can you say without fear of contradiction that the people with whom you keep company have not caused prejudice to the affairs of the Italian State? Can you reassure the country and its allies that no female guests of yours possess arms of blackmail that diminish your political independence?

7. Your conduct contradicts your policies: would you be able today to attend a Family Day demonstration or sign a law punishing the clients of prostitutes?

8. Do you still consider yourself eligible for the office of President of the Republic? If not, do you think that a person that common opinion considers unfit for the Quirinal presidential palace can fulfil his duties as prime minister?

9. You have spoken of a "subversive plan" that threatens you. Can you guarantee not having used and not wanting to use intelligence and the police force against witnesses, magistrates and journalists?

10. In light of what has emerged in the last two months, what is the state of your health?

Ten Questions for Silvio Berlusconi

1. Mr Prime Minister, how and when did you first meet Noemi Letizia's father?

2. During the course of this friendship how many times, and where, have you met?

3. How would you describe the reasons for your friendship with Benedetto Letizia?

4. Why did you discuss candidates with Mr. Letizia, who is not even a member of your party, the PDL?

5. When did you get to know Noemi Letizia?

6. How many times have you met Noemi Letizia, and where?

7. Do you take an interest in Noemi and her future, or support her family economically in any way?

8. Is it true that you promised Noemi you would help her career in show business or in politics?

9. Veronica Lario said that you “frequent under-age girls”. Do you meet with any others?

10. Your wife says that you are not well and that you “need help”. What is the state of your health?

Clandestine Immigration to Europe: Resolute action at last

For the first time, clandestine immigrants trying to reach the Italian island of Lampedusa have been stopped and returned to Tripoli by the Italian police forces. A total of 227 migrants were denied access to the island following negotiations between the Libyan and Italian authorities. This action is believed by Italian Interior Minister, Roberto Maroni, to mark a turning-point and a historic result in the fight against illegal immigration. Such a solution, which foresees the repatriation of illegal immigrants to their point of departure, regardless of whose waters they are found in, will also resolve the diplomatic row between Italy and Malta that started over this matter.

However, Médecins Sans Frontières has stated that forced repatriations constitute an illegal act that has never been sanctioned by Italian or international legislation. A spokesman from MSF Italia has said that in May 2005 the European Court of Human Rights condemned repatriations carried out by the Italian government as they were deemed detrimental to immigrants’ rights to seek asylum, “Sending people away from Italy without identifying them or granting them access, for those having the right, is illegal behaviour that contravenes asylum procedures as well as national and international legislation.”

According to the Interior Ministry, 37,000 clandestine migrants arrived on Italian shores in 2008; a 75% increase from 2007. Whilst forced repatriations may break asylum laws, they represent the only effective and proportional method to protect Europe from illegal immigration and uphold Italian and Maltese national security.