Democrats

He (Berlusca) did it again: a couple of years ago he had declared that Putin was a real democrat. A couple of weeks ago, in launching a new satellite TV channel he owns, declared in Tunisia that President Ben Ali, well known for his repression of any opposition, is a "sincere democrat".

Possibly his press agents and his little dog Frattini, so-called Minister for Foreign Affairs, had forgotten to draw his attention to the 2008 Human Rights Watch Periodic Review of Tunisia which said, among others, " The government uses the threat of terrorism and religious extremism as a pretext to crack down on peaceful dissent. There are continuous and credible reports of torture and ill-treatment being used to obtain statements from suspects in custody. Sentenced prisoners also face deliberate ill-treatment." ( http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2008/04/06/universal-periodic-review-tunisia ).

Who will be the next dictator crowned by Berlusconi as a real democrat? All the bets are for al Gaddafi Berlusconi just honoured with a visit and the sending of the
Italian Air Force acrobatic team.



Photo: iltempo.ilsole24ore.com