EU debates plans to deal with migrants

BRUSSELS , April 23 (UPI) -- The European Union's emergency summit Thursday to prepare a policy on migrants is considering action to destroy vessels before they are put to use in migrant trafficking.

Italy, a country hard-pressed to deal with an influx of refugees from war-torn North African and Middle East countries who arrive by boat and often require rescue at sea, is seeking support for an initiative involving the United Nations to destroy traffickers' boats. Other proposals at the Brussels meeting involve expanded use of maritime patrols to rescue migrants, and a German plan to spread landed migrants more evenly throughout Europe.

Lives, by the thousands, have been lost as boats overloaded with migrants sink in the Mediterranean Sea; those who survive the voyage are typically in need of shelter and job skills; navies have been under duress in rescuing crippled boats and right-wing movements, in opposition to the influx of migrants, have cropped up throughout Europe. Germany alone received 200,000 applications for asylum in 2014.

A 10-point plan, which includes a reinforced rescue service, is under consideration, as is a plan to allow only 5,000 migrants, pre-screened by the EU, entry to Europe.

Italy, with its proximity to Africa, is taking a hardline approach to solving the problem immediately. Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has demanded a comprehensive political and financial solution, rather than one based on emotion and short-term solutions, which spreads the cost and burden of immigration to all EU countries.

Greece has proposed a more active EU role in the hotspots from which migrants attempt to leave.

Also at issue is Libya, the embarkation point for the majority of migrants thus far in 2015. The Islamic State is involved in the disruption of the fractured Libyan government and has openly threatened Italy.

A service was held in Malta Thursday for the estimated 900 migrants who drowned as their vessel capsized in the Mediterranean Sea last week. Coffins containing the bodies of 24 victims, the only bodies recovered, were present at the memorial service.

A representative of the "Save the Children" humanitarian organization, Linda Bordoni, told Vatican Radio Thursday she expects up to 2,500 children to die in this summer's expected inflow of migrants to Europe.