Italy to form new government 5 ROME: President asks treasury minister to bring feuding lawmakers together ROME (AP) president broke the political logjam riday asking the politically independent treasury minister to form a new government in a bid to pull together feuding lawmakers and halt a financial freefall In turning to Lamberto Dini the former No 2 executive at the Bank of Italy President Oscar Luigi Scalfaro sought a respected non-partisan figure who would calm the jittery financial markets Premier Silvio Berlusconi who resigned Dec 22 but had stayed on in a caretaker capacity and his conservative allies had lobbied furiously for either a return of the media magnate or early elections But Scalfaro wanted to stitch together 54th postwar government from the existing Parliament in disarray since key alliance partner rebelled forcing his resignation The three-week stalemate sent the lira plunging to record lows and dragged down the Milan stock market Markets immediately rebounded with selection Minutes after the announcement the lire improved from 105750 per German mark to 105350 in Milan trading Dini quickly said the words the financial world had hoped to hear He promised to create a Cabinet centered around experts and immediately confront crushing budget deficit will be the job of the government to contribute to the stability of the Dini said in a short statement to reporters But the optimism could dim nomination must be approved by Parliament and battle lines have been drawn Berlusconi has made clear he will not give up the fight for elections the quick return to the ballot box will create a government able to insure said Berlusconi a millionaire media magnate whose coalition nated elections in March In choosing Dini Scalfaro followed the path he used to bring Italy out of another political crisis in 1993 when he picked a former Bank of Italy governor Carlo Ci-ampi as premier Ciampi was succeeded by Berlusconi who claimed the will of the voters would be violated unless he remained caretaker premier until elections But Scalfaro and many others apparently believed he no longer had the support of the majority in Parlia ment Yet rise is not a complete loss for Berlusconi Dini is seen as a supporter of Berlusconi and appeals to his orza Italia party Dini 63 is a solution a person of high said Antonio Tajani spokesman for Berlus- party It is not an open road for Dini however ierce arguments in parliament are likely over the objectives of any new government Even before Dini was formally nominated political leaders staked out positions: Berlusconi and his allies pressed for a clear path to elections while his opponents sought a full-fledged government that could govern for a long time Dini has not indicated which op-v tion he favors must be a government with a mandate to move to elec-v tions No other situation is accept- said Gianfranco ini leader of the far-right National Alliance' party and a staunch Berlusconi backer But Northern League Umberto Bossi whose prompted resignation' demanded that the next govern- ment have full authority to deal with reforms and other issues In particular Bossi's party seeks a federal system in which regions would have more political clout CUSTOM INISHING AVAILABLE Layaway inancing 6436711 9831617 DISCOUNT PRICES Large Selection inished Unfinished TWO LOCATIONS Hnd-Carvtd Anoint Good Solaction 925 Venturi Ave Ventura Near Historic Downtown 811 Venturi Blvd Oxnard Off 101 wy Between Vineyard 4 Rose UNINISHED Brnktat furniture fjlt 1 -V v- A DISCOUNT PRICES Large Selection inished Unfinished TWO LOCATIONS.