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Some 113,000 migrants have been
rescued from dangerous seas by Italy's Mare Nostrum (Our Sea)
program established less than one year ago to save lives,
Giuseppe De Giorgi, chief of staff for the Italian Navy, said
Monday.
His comments came soon after a weekend that saw as many as
4,000 people plucked from the seas as they attempted the
dangerous crossing to Italy and Europe from North Africa -
desperate voyages that also took six lives during the same
period.
Most migrants rescued to date came from Eritrea, Syria, and
Mali - all countries torn by civil war, said De Giorgi.
His figures were matched by a warning that landings "fatten
the mafia" as too many migrants are preyed upon by the mafia
when they arrive in Italy with no resources or support.
Davide Mattiello, a legislator with the Democratic Party
(PD) and member of the government's Anti-Mafia Commission, said
that the rescue program should be halted because it plays into
the hands of organized crime.
Many migrants are forced to work as prostitutes, drug
dealers or smugglers, and in other tasks under the control of
the mafia, he said.
"In the foreground there is the drama of human beings who
die, clinging to an illusion and the tremendous work of the
Italian Navy and those who devote themselves in the initial
reception of survivors," said Mattiello.
"But just in the background there are the interests of the
Italian mafia organizations and foreign (criminals) operating in
Italy to take advantage of the manna represented by this
humanity landing in our country," he added.
Instead, a pan-national solution through the European
Union's Frontex border agency would deal more effectively with
the migrant crisis, said Mattiello.
A similar appeal came Monday from EU Affairs Undersecretary
Sandro Gozi who said that the Mediterranean is a "common border"
and therefore, Italy alone cannot shoulder the migrant burden.
"Joint action is needed, starting from an increase in the
funds and operational capacities of Frontex, which must replace
Mare Nostrum. That is what the government is working on," said
Gozi.
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