New Commissioner for Asylum Centers

The incoming Italian commissioner has spoken out in favor of a controversial German idea for a refugee camp in northern Africa to process asylum seekers trying to reach Europe. Rocco Buttiglione, due to start Nov. 1 as justice and home affairs commissioner, told German public radio broadcaster Deutschlandfunk it was a "good idea" to give refugees a legal way of entering Europe. The camp idea was recently revived by German Interior Minister Otto Schily and sparked a fierce debate across Europe. Both Italy and Germany are now working on a joint plan to fight illegal immigration to be presented in mid-October. (EUobserver.com)