Italy facing tourism boycott by Germans

[SoCalDem]

http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_798563.html

Italy facing tourism boycott by Germans
Ananova - 50 minutes ago
Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi is facing a German tourism boycott, after he began his six month EU presidency by comparing a German MEP to a Nazi.

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more @ BBC

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3055167.stm
Analysis: Berlusconi's welcome distraction

By Frances Kennedy
In Rome


The decision by Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder to cancel his Italian holiday because of offensive comments by an Italian junior minister will not help Mr Berlusconi's plans to make a splash during the EU presidency.
But it may have one positive side-effect.

It will deflect attention from a seething crisis among his coalition government.


Berlusconi was shocked at repercussions to his original "Nazi" jibe
Tourism Minister Stefano Stefani dismissed Germans as belching unintelligent drunkards in an abrasive editorial in the Northern League newspaper La Padania.

While several Italian cabinet ministers criticised the remarks, there was no official government condemnation and no suggestion that Mr Stefani should resign.

An opinion poll showed that 49% of Italians said Mr Schroeder was right to cancel his holiday.

Had they been asked whether Mr Stefani should resign, the response would almost certainly have been a landslide Yes.

...snip

[JohnKleeb]

1. Isnt that ironic that Berlusconi called a mp a nazi

My Italian jerk you had a meeting with Mussolini's grand daughter and you are a self described fascist. I think Hitler would like you more than Schroder. Hold strong Germany against these jerks. The Italian people actually agree with the Germans now do us a favor and get this Italian adminstration out with one that hates Bush.

[no_hypocrisy]

2. Italy's a good start. Add the U.S., particularly Florida to the list as

* and his junta have given Germany nothing but grief for warning about Iraq and staying out of the morass.

[ze_dscherman]

3. Tourism boycott?

This is mostly media hype.

Summer holidays have already started, holidays in Italy booked long ago. And anyway, Italy and Germany have long standing good relations.

There was some anti-italian sentiments when the first migrant workers from Italy came to Germany, but among all foreigners I would guess Italians are the most accepted and integrated. And, of course, there are the usual prejudices and stereotyped views.

However, stupid comments like have no place in international relations. Not even apologizing for them is an offense, so I agree with Schröders decision. However, I would not cancel my plans for a holiday in Italy, if I had any.

Va fa'n culo, Cavaliere Berlusconi, disgraziato fascista!

[RandomKoolzip]

4. Iraq War set the example for the world: Pre-Emptive Strike Time!

Wouldn't suprise me if Italy went to war with Germany or vice versa; after all Bush made it okay to declare war on another country even if there is no viable reason.....


As a man of mostly German blood, I say "phooey. " We DO belch, y'know.