'$1m ransom' paid for free female (Italian) hostages

[rooboy]

Two Italian women kidnapped three weeks ago in Baghdad were released unharmed and returned to Rome today waving and smiling as a jubuliant government sidestepped allegations that a $1.4 million ransom had been paid.

Italy, which has 3,000 troops serving in Iraq in the US-led coalition, broke into celebrations when aid volunteers Simona Pari and Simona Torretta, both 29, arrived at Rome's Ciampino military airport.

Parliament broke into applause and Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi acknowledged the help from several Middle East intelligence agencies, including that of Jordan, whose king was in Rome today.

He said the Italian secret services were involved in as many as 16 different negotiations, without elaborating.

However, Ali al-Roz, publisher of Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Rai al-Aam, told Italian public television Rai 3 said a $US1 million ($A1.4 million) ransom had been handed over.


http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/09/28/1096137236503.html