Excerpt:
The Italian government appeared divided Wednesday over a French initiative to ban the face-covering Islamic veil in many public places.
Equal Opportunity Minister Mara Carfagna said she was in 'absolute agreement with the French initiative, which will encourage other European countries, including Italy, to legislate on this issue.'
But Foreign Minister Franco Frattini opposed a 'pure and simple' legal ban as a 'matter of principle,' adding that the issue should be addressed in broader terms as part of efforts to integrate immigrants. He urged 'paying attention to respect for religious feelings on the one hand and addressing security requirements on the other.' 'We can find a compromise,' Frattini added.