Lampedusa: A year after tragedy, PM says Italy will not stop sea rescues

Italy's Mediterranean Sea mission, which has rescued more than 90,000 migrants in the past year, will go on, the prime minister said on Friday, vowing to continue navy patrols a year after a shipwreck that killed hundreds sparked international outrage.

Italy has repeatedly called for the European Union to contribute more to its Mare Nostrum, or "Our Sea", search-and-rescue mission, which costs the navy 9 million euros a month to run. So far, member states have not stepped up.

"Mare Nostrum will not be abandoned until the EU comes up with something just as good or better," Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said during a question-and-answer event in Ferrara, Italy, which was broadcast live on television.

Mare Nostrum began after more than 360 men, women and children drowned when their boat capsized a mile off the Italian island of Lampedusa. The shipwreck occurred one year ago.
It drew international media attention and led Pope Francis and human rights organizations to call for more global attention to the plight of migrants.........Reuters........http://www.todayonline.com/world/year-after-tragedy-pm-says-italy-will-not-stop-sea-rescues
3/10/14
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