Bonn - The German government said yesterday it had stepped up controls along its borders to stem a possible influx of Kurdish refugees and urged Italy, Greece and Turkey to do the same.
Germany tightened controls on its southern and western borders after more than 1,200 immigrants, mainly Kurds from Iraq and Turkey, arrived in Italy last week by boat in response to Rome's pledge to grant asylum in genuine cases of oppression.
Meanwhile, Italian coastguards remained on maximum alert amid reports that ships carrying as many as 1,300 Kurds were headed for southern Italy's shores.
