Arab revolts raise new fears of illegals in Europe
With thousands fleeing from Tunisia in the past 10 days after a revolution ousted Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, European governments reacted with anger and dread after Libya warned it could suspend cooperation in retaliation for the EU’s condemnation of a crackdown on protesters. German European affairs minister Werner Hoyer called the Libyan threat “an incredible mistake,” and said the EU would “not allow itself to be blackmailed.”
The European Commission in October offered Libya up to €50 million in aid to stop the flow of illegal migrants to Europe as well as assist refugees from across the region who use the north African country as a jumping-off point to Europe. Diplomats warned that if Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi falls, the floodgates to illegal immigration could blow wide open.
