Italy to stop paying ransoms

[agitpropagent9]

THE Italian prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi, has promised President George W Bush that he will not pay more ransoms to free hostages in Iraq.

The Italian government has denied newspaper reports that $6m (£3.1m) was paid for the release of Giuliana Sgrena, who worked for the Communist daily Il Manifesto. But senior officials and intelligence sources have confirmed that money did change hands.

The affair ended when American soldiers opened fire on the car carrying Sgrena and killed the intelligence officer who had freed her.

Last year Italy paid a reported $5m (£2.6m) for the freedom of two aid workers, Simona Pari and Simona Torretta. Hours after Sgrena was seized, Berlusconi announced that “negotiations” had begun.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2089-1522893,00.html

[slor]

1. He is a fool to...

tie his fate to the worst president in history.

[bpilgrim]

3. way, too, late to turn back now

they want their fair share of the remaining OIL, too.


http://images.globalfreepress.com

peace

[bpilgrim]

2. guess the MSG hit home

http://images.globalfreepress.com

peace

[sundancekid]

4. great image! thanks -- good to see you back, bpilgrim

:hi:

[bpilgrim]

7. thanks sundancekid

always good to see you as well :hi:

peace

[leesa]

5. Mission Accomplished, eh, Dubya The Murderer

I thought they were ambushed for her exposure of the illegal weapons the US used in Fallujah, but maybe it WAS because of the negotiation. Berlusconi is such a wimp.

[marcologico]

6. total capitulation. Could his timing be any worse? n/t

[seriousstan]

8. Good, paying kidnappers only gets you more kidnappings.