Italians trading medical care for hostages, I wonder if it is true?

[MAJOR_Baker]

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2005-08-25-italy-hostages_x.htm

So who are we fighting?   Not just terrorists it seems......back to the old Barbary Pirates scam, tribute, kidnapping, etc

edited title...............

 

[Pfc_Norup]

They took the wounded insurgents to a Baghdad hospital in a jeep and in an ambulance, smuggling them through two U.S. checkpoints by hiding them under blankets and boxes of medicine

If you ask me that's not neutral, that's the work of the enemy!

In Iraq we used to let NGO's drive trough check points and we let them drive into our bases. But that has to change immediately I guess. What a bunch of idiots!  

Scelli told the newspaper he informed the Italian government of the deal and of the decision to hide it from the U.S.

So that would make Italy the enemy now?  

"We have always claimed this operation as our own. The contacts were held by us, contacts with Iraqi personnel, contacts with the mediators," Scelli said

Well done! Let's all go and negotiate with terrorists! If we give them all they want how can they stay mad at us!   :-\

Berlusconi's government has denied that ransom were paid, but some lawmakers have indicated money might have changed hands

Eventhough they don't have any oil I think we should invade! Operation Pastrami Freedom!   :threat:

Stupid Italians... Rule #1: YOU DON'T NEGOTIATE WITH TERRORISTS!!!!

 

[George Wallace]

Intertesting "Open Source" article.  How reliable is this source?

I find this statement contradictary:

  The statement also did not directly address whether or not Italy had kept the U.S. in the dark about Scelli's efforts, but reiterated that Italy has always maintained a "full and reciprocal" cooperation with its American allies in Iraq. 

How can they consider this act to be maintaining a "full and reciprocal" cooperation with their American Allies?

 

[paracowboy]

Italians trading medical care for hostages, I wonder if it is true?

having worked with them, the Germans, and the French in Afghanistan, I would say yes.

 

[tomahawk6]

I believe it to be true.

 

[Blue Max]

The Italian Red Cross has admitted to this ugly fact.

 

[48Highlander]

Weren't they also the ones who paid the terrorists several milion dollars for the release of a journalist, and then managed to get her convoy shot-up by an American checkpoint because they kept the Yanks out of the loop?

So....all those in favour of keeping Italians out of future ops, say I.

 

[paracowboy]

having conducted OPs with them in two seperate theatres, I offer a resounding "AYE!"