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Italy scuppers EU terror arrest plan

Italy did not want the warrant to cover fraud and corruption

BRUSSELS, Belgium -- European Union justice ministers have failed to reach agreement plans for a pan-EU arrest warrant aimed at beefing up their fight against terrorism after Italy opposed the broad scope of the warrant.

Diplomats said the matter was now likely to be considered by EU leaders at a summit meeting next week in the Brussels suburb of Laeken.

Italy is alone in its opposition to a warrant which would cover 32 crimes ranging from terrorism and hijacking to fraud and corruption.

It wants the warrant to cover just six crimes, which would not include fraud and corruption.

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The warrant is part of the EU's drive to combat terrorism following the September 11 attacks on the United States and would replace cumbersome extradition procedures between member states.

CNN's European Political Editor, Robin Oakley, said some delegates and officials were saying privately that the Rome delegation feared Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi could himself be targeted under such a warrant.

"They are saying that Berlusconi has faced fraud charges in the past in other countries, and is being investigated on suspicion of fraud by Baltasar Garzon, the public prosecutor in Spain, and that the Italians fear embarrassment for their own prime minister.

"Delegates are very surprised and disappointed that the Italians have blocked this measure, which should have been a big response in the drive against terror."

Observers say the failure to cut a deal was also embarrassing for the EU because U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell met the justice ministers during a visit to Brussels on Thursday.