INTERNATIONAL ROUNDUP

Britain Angry Over Lack of French Action to Combat Channel Tunnel Delays

 British transport minister John Spellar has expressed his government’s feelings about the delays caused by refugees in the Channel Tunnel by saying it was “high time the French got their act together.” Spellar went on to say, “We have been putting pressure on the French government for some considerable time now. I am wholly sympathetic to the British freight industry. Quite frankly, I have seen tougher security at a village fete.” In related news, the European Commission has also announced that France may face legal action over the tunnel blockage. 

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Refugees Cause Division In Italian Government 

1,000 Iraqi Kurdish refugees have arrived in Italy in the past week. It is expected that in the next few weeks, 50,000 more will follow. The potential flood of refugees, and the problems they will pose, have caused a split in Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s government. Umberto Bossi, the leader of the Northern League, said he has had enough with refugees. “It is time for action. If I had my way, we would sink these smugglers’ ships, blow them out of the water, not just confiscate them.” On the other hand, Claudio Scajola, the Interior Minister, believes that Bossi’s remarks were out of line and that Italy has a duty to take in at least some of the refugees.

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China Believes North Korean Refugee Events Were Staged

 In response to 25 North Koreans charging into Spain’s mission in Beijing to seek asylum in South Korea last week, Chinese Ambassador Li Bin said that the events were staged, “by a small number of people who don’t want to see rapid and smooth development of Chinese-South Korean ties.” It was also added that Beijing would not change its policy of refusing to grant North Koreans refugee status.

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Germany Narrowly Passes Controversial Immigration Bill

The German government has passed an immigration bill that is intended to admit skilled workers into the country. The bill passed in the Upper House of Parliament, where Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder does not have a majority, by a 35-34 margin. The bill is intended to provide much needed skilled workers to German industry. However, as a compromise to allow the bill to pass, the age at which children can join their parents was capped at 12 instead of 14.