Prime Minister Ariel Sharon departed this morning for a day-long visit to Italy, where he will meet with the President, Prime Minister, and Foreign and Defense Ministers. Sharon will also fit in a meeting with local Jewish leaders. Italy\'s Prime Minister Berlusconi is considered to be Israel\'s top supporter among European leaders. Maariv correspondent Eli Kamir said that Sharon has set himself a goal, in addition to Shimon Peres\' trips around the world, of attempting to present to world leaders \"facts and figures\" on the extent of Arafat\'s terrorism against Israel. \"The particular importance of this visit, however,\" Kamir continued, \"lies in the fact that Italy, together with other \'Southern Europe\' countries such as Spain and Portugal, has traditionally followed France\'s lead in accepting anti-Israel resolutions in the European Union. Every EU resolution must pass unanimously, and Sharon now feels that with this new Italian leadership, there is a chance to improve the situation.\"