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Berlusconi: Europe should imitate U.S. on auto aid

Thu Oct 16, 2008 7:47am EDT

BRUSSELS, Oct 16 (Reuters) - Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said on Thursday that Europe should not rule out aid for its automobile industry, since the United States had proved willing in the past to give "massive" aid to its auto makers.

"Since the United States of America intervenes massively to support its auto companies, it shouldn't create outrage if some of our states find it necessary to consider giving support -- I don't know of what type -- to their auto industries," he said.

Berlusconi was speaking in Brussels where European Union leaders discussed how to appease critics of the EU's bold plans to fight climate change amid economic turmoil and demands from some countries, including Italy, for concessions to industry.

(Reporting by Stephen Brown and Phil Stewart in Rome)



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