The immigration effort

EU pledges more money to Spain, Italy, Malta to fight illegal immigration from Africa. From the International Herald Tribune:

The European Commission on Tuesday pledged €3.28 million (US$4.15 million) to Spain, Italy and Malta to help stem the flow of illegal immigrants from Africa, and asked EU member nations to contribute more money to the effort. The new funds will be used to strengthen the first aid and reception centers for illegal immigrants in the Canary Islands, for maritime surveillance of Malta and the Italian island of Lampedusa, and for the improvement of living conditions for illegal immigrants, the EU's executive office said.

Earlier this month, EU air and sea patrols began operating around Spain's Canary Islands and along Africa's west coast Friday. The surveillance patrols are to be deployed for up to nine weeks as part of a plan to enhance control over waters off West Africa and stop ships heading for Europe. The patrols, including Finnish and Italian aircraft, Portuguese and Italian boats and Spanish vessels and helicopters, monitor waters off Mauritania and Senegal — key departure points for Africans, often crowded into small boats, making the trip to the Spanish-held Canary Islands in hopes of getting a foothold in Europe.

Thousands of people try to reach Europe through Spain, Italy or Malta each year, often setting off from Mauritania, Moroccan-controlled Western Sahara or Libya. Many die during the dangerous crossing. Those intercepted are kept in holding centers for up to 40 days, and then repatriated or released.

The European Commission Press Release