The idea of giving a double
passport to Alto Adige's German and Ladin speakers "risks
assuming potential characteristics of an anachronistic
revanchism," the Italian foreign ministry said Monday.
"It has once more been explained (to Austria) that the
possible unilateral initiative appears particular inopportune,
considering the elections in Alto Adige," the ministry said.
This was even more to be highlighted, it said, "on the
centenary of the First World War, marked by the blood of so many
Italians and Austrians.
Foreign Minister Enzo Moavero Milanesi will not go to Vienna
for one of the regular bilateral meetings proposed by the
Austrian foreign ministry because mutual trust has been
undermined by Vienna's plan to give a double passport to German-
and Ladin-speaking Italian citizens of Alto Adige, the Italian
foreign ministry said.
"An initiative," the ministry said, "that undermines the
climate of serenity and mutual trust that constitutes the
indispensable premise for the success of this type of meetings".
Austria has unveiled plans to draft a law awarding the Alto
Adige German and Ladin speakers double citizenship.
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