According to the Times of London, "Italy reportedly paid more than $6 million for Signora Sgrena's release, which was negotiated by Signor Calipari himself."
But, the Turkish paper Zaman reports that "members of the Iraq Islamic Army who abducted [Sgrena] state that they refused the ransom money offered for the journalist's release."
In the videocassette containing the image of Sgrena and the hostage takers that was broadcast earlier today, the two gunmen standing behind Sgrena read out the following statement: "After some research, we have decided to release her without accepting any of the ransom money that was offered. This is not one of the principles of the resistance."
[ Darn "terrorists"... If they don't want money... then what?!]
csmonitor.com World > Terrorism & Security posted March 8, 2005, updated 12:26 p.m.
Italy steps up 'row' with US
Italian foreign minister dismisses US military's account of the checkpoint killing.
By Matthew Clark
http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0308/dailyUpdate.html
The Times of London reports that Italian Foreign Minister Gianfranco Fini "increased a diplomatic row with the United States" by demanding Tuesday that the US identify and punish those responsible for the shooting of Italy's top intelligence agent in Iraq.
According to the Times, Mr. Fini "dismissed the American version that a lack of communication was responsible for the death of Nicola Calipari, who died in a hail of gunfire from US troops as he escorted a freed Italian hostage to Baghdad airport on Friday."
Fini denied the US explanation that the car carrying Mr. Calipari ignored US troop's warnings to stop and sped through a checkpoint, saying the car was traveling at no more than 25 miles per hour.
Fini added that Calipari had also made "all the necessary contacts" with US and Italian officials about the hostage's release and the journey to the airport. <...>
Fini rejected the allegation made by freed hostage Giuliana Sgrena that the car was deliberately targeted as "groundless". Ms. Sgrena, a reporter for the Italian communist newspaper Il Manifesto, suggested the United States targeted her because it opposes negotiations with terrorists to free hostages.
White House spokesman Scott McClellan called Sgrena's allegation "absurd".
[Dog Bites Man // lcm]
According to the Times of London, "Italy reportedly paid more than $6 million for Signora Sgrena's release, which was negotiated by Signor Calipari himself."
But, the Turkish paper Zaman reports that "members of the Iraq Islamic Army who abducted [Sgrena] state that they refused the ransom money offered for the journalist's release."
In the videocassette containing the image of Sgrena and the hostage takers that was broadcast earlier today, the two gunmen standing behind Sgrena read out the following statement: "After some research, we have decided to release her without accepting any of the ransom money that was offered.
This is not one of the principles of the resistance." <..> -30-
L http://www.geocities.com/leighcmeyers http://www.furl.net/members/leigh_m/rss.xml