(ANSA) - Italy on Thursday moved closer to adopting a package of new security measures to combat terrorism. The measures were examined at a meeting chaired by Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi with Interior Minister Giuseppe Pisanu, Justice Minister Roberto Castelli and Reform Minister Roberto Calderoli.
This was followed by a more technical encounter, with Cabinet Secretary Gianni Letta in the chair, and included Defense Minister Antonio Martino, Innovation and Technology Minister Lucio Stanca and Transport and Infrastructure Minister Pietro Lunardi, as well as Pisanu and Castelli.
Coming out of the talks, Calderoli told the press that "this morning's meeting was very positive. We reached an overall agreement on efficient measures to combat the phenomenon of terrorism."
"The cabinet can now adopt this package of measures at its next meeting," he added.
Observers noted that Calderoli's statements were an indication that his Northern League party, of which Castelli is also a member, no longer opposed the measures presented by Pisanu after this month's terrorist bombings in London.
The League had demanded stronger action, including the suspension of the European Schengen open-border agreement. They also wanted immigrants to be forced to provide DNA samples as well as fingerprints. League opposition to Pisanu's plan had kept the cabinet from adopting it last week.
The anti-terrorism measures drawn up by the interior minister included expanding from 12 to 24 hours the period police can hold and question a suspect without the presence of legal counsel, tougher border controls and awarding residence permits to illegal immigrants who help uncover terrorist activity.
Pisanu also said it would help investigators if the SIM cards in mobile phones could be registered under their owners' name, so that an archive of users could be created. Speaking to parliament last week, Pisanu said the government did not want to impose draconian security measures to combat terrorism because these would greatly disrupt normal life and only play into the hands of terrorists. "We cannot restrict our citizens' freedom in order to fight the enemies of that freedom. If we did that, we'd be
handing them a real victory," he said.
