By proposal of the Transnational Radical Party, a motion was presented to the Senate of the Italian Republic on March 3rd, signed first by Francesco SPERONI (Leader of the Northern League's Parliamentary group), on the problem of the violation of human rights in China, Tibet, western Turkistan, and Inner Mongolia. In particular, the government was asked to propose, together with its European partners, a resolution condemning China to the UN Commission on Human Rights currently underway in Geneva. Despite the agreement of Parliamentary leaders, the President of the Italian Senate, Nicola MANCINO, asked that the proposal be delayed, citing motives of courtesy in light of the impending visit of the Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs to Italy: in doing so, the argument could not even be further discussed. On the other hand, Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lamberto DINI, declared that: " A UN resolution on human rights, despite China's objections, must be launched." There are two alternatives: either the Mi

nister of Foreign Affairs intends to contradict the President of the Senate, or we are witness to a situation in which both sides that are playing a game have been revealed. The Quai d'Orsay has never negated the proper veto that impedes the deposit of a joint resolution of the European Union to the UN Commission on human rights. Is Italy hiding behind the veto of Paris? If the Italian position were to finally become clear, it is possible that 14 of the 15 states of the European Union could - if they were convinced to do so - force even France to break upon the European front.