国际英语新闻:Obama: 'US Cannot Be in Isolation'

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Renzi said  Italy does not want the Mediterranean Sea to become a cemetery and has already taken a leadership role to confront that humanitarian crisis. It also is the responsibility of all counties in the region - Europe, North Africa and the Middle East - to stop human trafficking in close cooperation with the United Nations, said Renzi.
 
Referring to Thursday’s throwing of Christian migrants into the sea, Renzi said that was an isolated incident, adding that there is no clash of religions in Italy.

Likeminded countries in the region, Obama said, need to coordinate their political actions to counter terrorism and prevent Libya from becoming a safe haven for terrorists. Libya, Obama said, should make more efforts internally to counter the problems facing the country.

Thousands of migrants -- most from war-ravaged areas of Africa and the Middle East -- make the perilous journey across the Mediterranean in hopes of reaching Europe. Humanitarian groups estimate around 500 have died this year as a result of hunger, thirst and exposure in overcrowded and poorly-equipped vessels.

Italy has played a lead role in rescuing those attempting dangerous Mediterranean crossings, but it’s straining to accommodate the humanitarian needs.

Italy’s coast guard has rescued more than 3,000 people trying to cross the Mediterranean since April 10 and approximately 8,500 in the past year, the U.N.’s refugee agency estimates.

This year alone, at least 500 are dead or missing, it said in calling this week for "legal, safe alternatives for those fleeing conflict and persecution" and more resources to aid in search, rescue and monitoring operations at sea. 

"Stopping human trafficking in the Mediterranean Sea is a priority" for Europe and Italy, Renzi said. Many of those undertaking the dangerous maritime crossings pay exorbitant rates to smugglers, often traveling on rickety or overcrowded vessels.

Drones

Italian news media said Renzi was seeking a U.S. commitment  to use armed drones in Libya against counterterrorism threats, but Obama told reporters that the subject did not come up in the morning session.

The terrorist Islamic State group has exploited the chaos in Libya, Obama said, and it will take more than weapons to stop it.

“We are not going to be able to solve the problem with just a few drone strikes,” the president said, citing tribal factions and the lack of a central government. “The answer, ultimately, is to have a government that can control its own borders.”

He said the United States would continue working with Italy and like-minded nations on counterterrorism and intelligence-sharing efforts and would continue trying to influence Gulf nations to peacefully settle disputes.

Renzi thanked Obama for his efforts to resume diplomatic relations with Cuba and for the U.S. role in negotiating the framework deal to contain Iran's nuclear program.

Renzi is Italy's fourth prime minister since Obama took office in early 2009.

In an opinion piece for Turin’s La Stampa, former Italian Ambassador Stefano Stefanini wrote that to "get Italy to play" at the top level in international relations, Renzi must forge "an understanding with Washington based on a strong bond of shared values and of solidarity in a dangerous world. That bond needs to be reaffirmed."