I find it incredible that in Cnn's reporting on the garbage crisis there is no mention of the Camorra, Naple's mafia, which has been the main impetus behind the creation of this crisis. If Berlusconi can succeed in resolving the crisis it may be thanks to his government's mafia ties of which there are many. Those protesting new landfills have every right and reason as the government has allowed the Camorra to illegally fill Naple's landfill capacity with waste from all parts of Italy, while failing to develop an adequate region wide recycling program. The government points to landfills and incinerators as solutions while waste reduction seems secondary. I suggest a read of Roberto Saviano's Gomorra, or see the film which is in the running for the Golden Palm at Cannes...

The problem is that all the "piramid" is "camorra" and normally is a way of life in this city.

Italy, the birthplace of the renaissance and the western cultural revolution–can't figure out how to dispose of its garbage?? That's dissappointing. The Italian citizens and the tourists visiting that great (?) country deserve better.

Mr. Vinci,

if Mr. Berlusconi will get rid of this problem, I wonder why it takes so long to name a "garbage czar"? Is it possible that in the last 14 years no one did anything at all?? And now, in a week, they decide and problably will solve it!

I want also to put on focus that landfills and incinerators are "probably" the only chances to waste garbage like that: not properly differentiated.
Here's the real goal for Naples: recycling!
Did you notice that they put all in a bag without any kind of separation? Is it, in your opinion, a laudable behavior nowadays, A.D. 2008? Who is responsible of this? And why no one at the Government is talking about recycling?

Maybe they're thinking to continue burning and digging till the next "garbage disaster".

Thank you, arrivederci

TO: Alessio Vinci, CNN Rome Bureau Chief
RE: Why Naples Stinks

Interesting article, but I suggest you hire yourself a proofreader. Horrible grammar!

Your opening sentence describes well the situation, "the problem stinks". After 15 years of beaurocratic inefficiency and pocketing the $3 billion plus the camorra making good deals with the north to store their garbage toxic and non, Naples has an emergency crisis, a natural disaster on their hands. Actually, I beg to differ. Italy has an emergency crisis on their hands. Where would the waste, toxic and non, of the north be now, if not in the south? Why can't the government show some leadership, some vision as to how to handle this problem? Incinerators are needed. They take a long time to build. Other measures are needed as well that would assist in eradicating the problem. By the way, I have heard that the same problem is starting to rear its ugly head in Rome. Is that true? Since you are the Rome Bureau Chief can you comment? Is this beginning to be a probelm in other cities? Or is it just in the "poor" south.

Well this is Italy, southern Italy, casa del messogiorno. The people here want to lead their chaotic life. Let them! It is none of our business.

a nice chat but it gives no explanation what makes it so permanent.
Lack of landfilles ? Isn t 15 years enough to solve the problem.
To see Naples nad die of stink ? J kwnow it isnt funny for the residents but 15 years ?????

This is totally unacceptable!! Not to mention the health threats which the problem poses. I am a resident in Milan and worry when I buy fruit, vegetables, nuts and cheese which may come from that area without us even knowing. This has been going on for too long and is shameful!!! This is affecting Italy's reputation worldwide. We worry so much about global warming and can't even manage the trash in one single city. The whole country will pay for this, other countries may put bans on Italian exports and people won't be so inclined to visit a "trashy" country with such carelessness on such an important matter. It's out of control and some serious action needs to be taken at once.

Eventually we're on the way to solve this trouble. Another confirmation (if ever one was needed) that we have elected the right man.

Hi.
I'm from north italy.
in the north we haven't theese kind of problem (fortunately), and in the south not all cities has this problem.
The garbage problem is born cause a Naples's minister take for him state's money (and mafia's money) for years,
so, take today, take tomorrow...there aren't money to clean the streets.
I'm sorry about this, cause a lot of people seeing this,think that every part of italy is full of garbage.

ps. excuse me for the bad english...

Yes, it is truly a pity – Naples! – a city i would have loved to visit, and which was planned for next year .... definitely cancelled (not postponed). But honestly i just cannot believe how in such a 'modern', developed, EU member country they did not predict such a disaster ... and what about recycling? separation of waste? bring-in sites? The italian government should seek aid from my Maltese government, who is successfully handling this issue very well, where recycling cannot be done in one's own country there are companies abroad (ex Germany, Holland) who actually buy our waste for recycling purposes. Apart from this italians now have an immediate problem to solve which ye is not easy at all. And hey landfills have to be built somewhere – unless waste is not thrown in the sea – which is even more harmful to the environment!

i'm Italian and i live in North of Italy and Naple is in South of Italy. i want to clarify that the center of Naple was always been clean! and the problem is only one: the government

I was just wondering if Mr Vinci is a CNN journalist or just a blogger...

Dear Vinci,
the solution is not arresting some protesters....
but fighting the Camorra..
and will Berlusconi do it?

My family was stationed in Naples with the US military from 2000 to 2003. We love this beautiful and vibrant city. I agree with Mr. Vinci that the current problem is an embarrasment, to Italy and to Europe, and to all of us who love this historic city. Naples deserves better. I hope Mr. Berlusconi can make the clean-up happen, make it last, and restore Naples' beauty for its residents and for tourists alike.

I was stationed in Naples in 2005. This garbage situation is nothing new to me. My shipmates and I used to run past the huge piles of garbage every morning during PT. Some piles even blocked small alley ways.

I've lived in Naples. It is a beautiful city. And the people are like children who love to work and play! The answer to the garbage problem? Naples has a volcano...the perfect incinerator. Send the garbage there, finito!

I've lived in Naples for two years. When i first joined the Navy in 1990, the joke was that Naples was the armpit of the Navy. Well it still is. I've been all over the world, and two statements that I've heard from other sailors here really fit. First, "Italy is like a beautiful woman with dirty feet; and Naples is the dirty feet" Second, "Naples is a third world country withouth the third world prices" and having been to third world countries, it's pretty close.

The navy is even conducting studies because of possible health hazards, not to mention that there are days you can't even open windows because of the stench of burning trash. It's amazing that these people live like this. I even know one sailor whose wife moved back to the states because she was worried about her health.

I read Robyn Curnow's article on the xenophobic violence in South Africa and was filled with emotions. Are these not the same people the rest of 'black Africa' used their scarce resources to fight for? They were once refugees in other parts of Africa and they were never treated this way. Why kill your brother, why? In my country Nigeria, we welcomed their men, women with open arms and gave their children scholarships in our schools. Why have they forgotten yesterday? Why?

I wonder why CNN does not show any pictures of those wonderful and aroma filled streets of Napels!? I could not care less about Italy's tourisim industry. The world needs to see the real, stinky Italy instead of those fake clips taken of hte clean parts of the country. We need the truth no matter how smelly it is!

Wait till the Bubonic Plague starts up again. By then it will be too late for the whole world. I hope those rats bite the a** of the corrupt politicians first, then the mafia. May they be the first to have buboes in their necks, armpits and groins. Justice will be served by man or by God.

Robert says: Interesting article, but I suggest you hire yourself a proofreader. Horrible grammar!

For example: Can he succeed there were so many before have failed?

Looks like an "h" should have been inserted between the "w" and "e" of "were". Something spellcheck wouldn't catch, but "Word" would or should. Anyway, not a horrible mistake.

Horrible comment from the reader? Yes.

Could CNN get better in pre-selecting what articles go on line and what do not? Are we kidding with this article? The issue is certainly valid, and action needs to be taken at once. I am starting to think that Italy needs, beside its garbage problem, to upgrade English education in schools. It is embarrassing to read such a poorly written article.

Why don't they send the garbage North and let in turn to ice in the Arctic Circle. Or send it to the countries that are sending all if the illegals to Italy.

Our first exchange student was from Naples(Napoli). Giorgio used to tell us how dysfunctional and corrupt local government was in Naples, and also how "The North"(Italy north of Rome) really did not care about the "Terroni"(literally people of the earth-and not meant as a compliment) in the south, and Naples in particular. I agree that if Berlusconi cannot get the right people in place to take care of this appalling situation, it never will get done. With the garbage, and fumes from buring garbage, it has to be horrible for anybody with Asthma or COPD, and I can only just imagine how bad the rat problem is and the potential for diseases that they can carry. It would have to be a nightmare to be a public health official in Naples. I wish Berlusconi luck in trying to solve this problem.

There is only one answer: mafia.
when octopus come inside institution,Parliament,Building construction,Banks,when the controller and the controlled are the some person these are the consequences.
the way out is that which Falcone and Borsellino judjes show us,they lost their lives 4 this.

Who cares! The US has more issues CNN should be worried about. Like gas prices. Not some third-world county trash dilemma.

Corruption ruins a country in so many ways. Only the most corrupt would embarrass themselves in front of the whole world and still stand around a make excuses! Only the people can make the change, but instead they are just getting used to being a trash can. These streets are symbolic of the government; they exist to make life better for everyone but instead they are clogged with filth that serves no one. No place as valuable as Italy should be ruled by such filth.

send in WALL E from Disney movie THE FUTURE IS HERE we our destroying the planet and no one cares as long as they make money
I have crossed out Italy was planning to visit disgusting !!!!!