International
Ruggiero quits Cabinet over euro
By Vaiju Naravane
ROME, JAN. 6. Italy's Foreign Minister and widely respected former head of the World Trade Organisation, Renato Ruggiero, slammed the door on the eight-month-old centre-right Government of the Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, causing consternation in Italy and the European Union.
His departure has dealt a severe blow to the already tainted international image of Italy's media-magnate-turned Prime Minister.
The euro has thus claimed its first victim, since the quarrel between Mr. Berlusconi and Mr. Ruggiero was essentially over European policy. Mr. Ruggiero maintains close personal ties with a number of international leaders and has served as E.U. spokesperson and Commissioner. His induction into the Government had reassured other European nations worried about extreme right wing views dominating the new Italian Government; It now appears their worst fears have come true.
Mr. Ruggiero resigned late on Saturday following a very public clash with Mr. Berlusconi who is coming under increasing criticism for his authoritarian and often anti- European attitudes. The respected business daily Il Sole 24 Ore in a signed editorial said: ``Ruggiero's international contacts would have constituted a precious asset for any government, particularly Silvio Berlusconi's which in Europe and elsewhere remains an object of mystery.'' Mr. Berlusconi's ruling coalition known as the House of Freedoms, is composed of the reformed former fascist party, his own right-wing Forza Italia (Go, Italy) and the anti- foreigner Northern League. Euro-sceptics dominate his Government and Umberto Bossi, Minister and leader of the Northern League shocked Europeans by saying, ``I don't care a hoot for the euro'' the day after the new currency was issued. The Deputy Prime Minister, Gianfranco Fini, who is one of those tipped to take over the Foreign portfolio, is a confirmed Eurosceptic.
Mr. Berlusconi publicly sidelined Mr Ruggiero from any decision-making in the question of Italian support for the development of the Airbus military transport plane, an eight- nation multi-billion dollar venture. Mr. Berlusconi has also wished to move Italy closer to the U.S. and has made highly embarrassing remarks denigrating the Islamic civilisation.
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