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Italiano Italy on the side of Philip Morris
The European Commission opened infringement proceedings against Greece, France, Belgium, Ireland, Italy and Austria over the "Minimum Price of Cigarettes".
Gabriella Alemanno, Strategy Director of the State Monopoly Administration, sister of the Agriculture Minister, Gianni Alemanno
"Minimum prices distort competition and just benefit manufacturers by safeguarding their profit margins" … "Minimum prices are not necessary, since the health objectives may be attained by increased taxation on tobacco products". This is the position of the European Commission, according to Taxation Commissioner László Kovac.
But here comes the Italian Republic, that decides to speak up, in spite of the fact that Philip Morris, the tobacco multinational makes its profits, in this case, at the expence of the State revenues. The AAMS (Agenzia Amministrazione Monopoli di Stato), with the promptness of a defending attorney of the foreign multinational, points out:
“The decision to adopt the minimum price was made fully respecting Community regulations regarding processed tobacco and the safeguarding of public health, and it was adopted applying a specific legislative measure, that is, Article 1, paragraph 486, of Law 30-12-2004, no. 311."
…All perfectly regular, then.
Where does the "strategy" of the Italian State Monopolies come from? The “strategist” is Gabriella Alemanno, sister of Gianni Alemanno, a man in perfect harmony with Philip Morris, and Minister of Agriculture of the out-going Berlusconi government.
The Italian State Monopolies Yesterday
Herès the point of view of the “Monopoli Italiani” before the period of Gabriella Alemanno, when they did not seem to be acting as Philip Morris' defence attorney:
On May 22nd 1995, the then Managing Director of the AAMS, Ernesto Del Gizzo, transmitted to the SECIT (the Italian Tax Inspectors Office), a report on unpaid taxes on Philip Morris' revenues in Italy: a total of 60.591 billion lire (37.5 billion dollars) over a 20-year period.
Rome: Minister Gianni Alemanno poses for a souvenir photo in front of the "Altare della Patria"
Del Gizzo added that income from cigarette smuggling in Italy, thanks to the profits on products passed on through the illegal market, amounted to a net annual profit for the multinational manufacturer of about 1.100 billion lire (650 million dollars).
But the Finance Minister of the time, Fantozzi (centre-right) did nothing; his successor, Visco (centre-left) also did nothing, saying "Your affirmations are seriously incautious".
Following an alleged corruption attempt, Del Gizzo was removed from his office as the State Monopolies CEO and sent into retirement. He made this comment: "Every year that passes wipes out a year of tax evasion".
It's hard to see how it was possible, but at a certain point, this 37.5 billion dollars was lost in the mist of absolute silence…
The real face of the Mafia?
"The illegal sale of cigarettes has become one of the principal methods used by drug traffickers to recycle their profits. Philip Morris has become a determining link in this activity”. (Official EU Documents).
Al Capone, today's stereotype of the Mafia
Philip Morris has had a determining role in the direction, management and control of the contraband operations within the European Community … through company directives issued at top company levels" (Official EU Documents).
The long arm of the multinational has succeeded in implementing this absurd "minimum price" policy not only in Italy but also in Greece, France, Belgium, Ireland and Austria. How did they manage it? And how did they manage to keep it out of the news? The last two price increases in Italy seem to have crept in unnoticed: not a single comment from the press, from the government or from the opposition.
This far-reaching arm of Philip Morris is the same arm that succeeded in abolishing pesticide and chemical additive controls in the USA, and that succeeded, all over the world, in crushing legislation meant to safeguard consumers. …It's an exceptionally dependable partner!
More info
- Italy - 37.5 Billion Dollars Lost
- U.S. to Quit Inspecting Tobacco for Banned Chemicals and Pesticides - Associated Press - 10/17/04
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