'$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

[Carolab]

1. Nice bribe

to keep Berlusconi from blowing the whistle on the forged yellowcake documents Bush used despite the Italians knowing all about it.

[demconfive]

2. Sounds like a good deal.

Italy shelled out $700,000 a piece to save the lives of 2 of its citizens. So far the U.S. gov't has spent $150,000,000,000 to get 1050+ of its citizens killed.

[MissMarple]

3. The Italians would have gone ballistic if those girls were killed.

When will our fearless misleaders leaders realize we are in the wrong place at the wrong time and in the WRONG way? We gush rhapsodic as a nation over a girl who didn't fire a shot and ignore the ones who do and the ones who die.

Damn their lying tongues. George&Co have a lot to answer for.

[huellewig]

4. I doubt money was the motive.

I would like to add they were very cute</man>

I think they wanted to rub the Americans nose in things. Americans are the real targets.

[slor]

5. Small price...

to save two angels.

[leftchick]

6. I just Knew It!

Watch for increase in kidnapping for profit to go up!

[FLSurfer]

7. I would like to be

the first to formally offer my share of income taxes to help with the release of any future US hostages.

[Drifter]

8. Uh - oh

negotiating with the terra-ists.

Who up for some freedom bread ?

Diplomacy does work. Even with the most ruthless of people.

Cheers
Drifter