Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi hinted yesterday at sending in the military to break up wildcat strikes which have paralysed Alitalia, the Italian national airline.
"We may get to that point, but we will try to avoid it because we know tragedies could happen," he said.
Berlusconi played down those comments, saying the existence of Alitalia was a matter of national pride for Italy.
Berlusconi said Alitalia had to push ahead with a restructuring plan and face down wildcat strikers who have paralysed the airline over the past week.