BRUSSELS (AP) — French and German leaders reminded other European countries Monday of their shared responsibility toward refugees, as one official blamed harsh government policy for the deaths of dozens of migrants crammed into a truck. An emergency meeting was called for Sept. 14 on the migrant crisis in which more than 300,000 people have crossed the Mediterranean this year — often those fleeing Syria, Eritrea, Iraq and Afghanistan. French Prime Minister Manuel Valls, announcing plans for a refugee center on the English Channel port of Calais, where thousands of migrants have been gathering trying to make their way to Britain, said firmness must be tempered with humanity. Walls have been erected, razor wire unspooled, and border security stepped up, threatening passport-free travel among European nations that also permit the smooth passage of goods, services and business. After the 71 dead were found Thursday in the back of a truck that apparently had been abandoned by people smugglers, Austria stepped up vehicle inspections at the Hungarian border, creating a traffic jam on the highway. William Lacy Swing, director general of the International Organization for Migration, said in an interview with The Associated Press that countries blocking migrants from boarding trains drive them to dangerous options. Swing, a longtime U.S. diplomat, lamented a "fear factor" espoused by some politicians and said his 157-member intergovernmental body is ready to help the EU better manage the influx. [...] the 28 EU nations, representing a half-billion people and the world's most powerful trading bloc, have proved unable to share 40,000 Syrians and Eritreans arriving in Greece and Italy.
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