European Tribune - Community, Politics & Progress.

Italy 'did deal to free hostages'

by Fran
Fri Aug 26th, 2005 at 11:58:23 AM EST

I am the apprentice front pager on this site and been told by my masters to front page this - Fran

The Italian Red Cross treated four Iraqi insurgents to secure the release of two Italian women held hostage last year, a Red Cross official has said.

This is an article from BBC. What fascinated me most and had me shake my head was the following (bold mine).

Maurizio Scelli, the outgoing head of the Italian Red Cross, said the deal had been kept secret from the US.

What I do not understand is how does the US want to win this war if even its closest allies feel the need to keep things secret from them, because they, as I assume, fear their reaction.

Two aid workers, Simona Pari and Simona Torretta, were held for three weeks.
Mr Scelli - who first revealed the story to the Italian daily La Stampa - said Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's right-man man, Gianni Letta, was aware of the deal.
"He acknowledged it and - albeit with a thousand recommendations - he told me to go ahead with it," Mr Scelli said.
Mr Berlusconi's office has not commented on the report. Italy has always denied paying a ransom for "the two Simonas".

Mr Scelli said he did not know the identities of the insurgents his agency had treated.
"We collected them in the place we had been told and then took them to hospital with a series of precautions for them to be admitted into hospital as quickly as possible and without any hindrance," he told Rai.
He added that US checkpoints were among the hindrances he was referring to.

I am also glad that the red cross is still helping impartially those who are hurt. I do not support violence at all, but insurgents are human beings too and as such deserve medical treatment when hurt.

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Italy 'did deal to free hostages' | 12 comments (12 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

Re: Italy 'did deal to free hostages' (4.00 / 4)

The US doesn't have allies, it has vassals. That's what happens when you depend on the application of power and blackmail.

by Colman (colman at eurotrib.com) on Thu Aug 25th, 2005 at 04:20:22 PM EST

Re: Italy 'did deal to free hostages' (none / 0)

It IS interesting to note that one of the "Willing" is doing things behind the US's back. How willing are they, really? Interesting post, Fran.

Half the population is under the age of 18. Tanzania's future is NOW...join the 50% campaign!

by whataboutbob on Fri Aug 26th, 2005 at 02:32:08 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Italy 'did deal to free hostages' (4.00 / 3)

Well, the Red Cross is nongovernmental, so not really a vassal.

What I'm surprised no one find outrageous in this story is that medical treatment is considered as a virtual crime, something to be kept secret from a warring side.

Denying medical treatment to the enemy is not just evil but an explicit war crime - one of the worse, for I think extended suffering is worse than death.

*Traitor*, n.
A benighted individual who perceives an illusory distinction between serving his nation and abetting the criminals who govern it.

by DoDo on Fri Aug 26th, 2005 at 06:25:43 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Italy 'did deal to free hostages' (none / 0)

But DoDo, you've forgotten that the Geneva Accords are so last century...I mean who really worries about those kind of things these days? <snark>

Obviously no one in the Bush administration.

by gradinski chai on Fri Aug 26th, 2005 at 12:34:11 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Italy 'did deal to free hostages' (none / 1)

Just found this from Reuters:

Italy Red Cross May Have Hidden Insurgents

The way it looks the red cross did more than just help the insurgents - it also helped children in this deal.

"The mediators asked us to save the lives of four alleged terrorists wanted by the Americans who were wounded in combat," Scelli was quoted as saying. "We hid them and brought them to Red Cross doctors, who operated on them."
They took the wounded insurgents to a Baghdad hospital in a jeep and an ambulance, smuggling them through two U.S. checkpoints under blankets and boxes of medicines, Scelli said.
Also as part of the deal, four Iraqi children with leukemia were brought to Italy for treatment, he said.

by Fran (fran at eurotrib dot com) on Fri Aug 26th, 2005 at 12:48:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Italy 'did deal to free hostages' (none / 0)

Pffft. Apprentice nothing. You're done now.

by Colman (colman at eurotrib.com) on Fri Aug 26th, 2005 at 12:02:18 PM EST

Re: Italy 'did deal to free hostages' (none / 0)

Yeah, but I hit save instead of preview, so it is up a little early. :-)

by Fran (fran at eurotrib dot com) on Fri Aug 26th, 2005 at 12:04:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Hi fran (none / 1)

I hope you are catching on to all the little tricks. Let me know if you have any questions.

by BooMan on Fri Aug 26th, 2005 at 12:23:46 PM EST

Another Piece of the Puzzle - Calipari Shooting (none / 0)

.
This story provides the motive for the killing of Nicola Calipari ::
Shooting Nicola Calipari No Accident ◊ by Oui @ BooMan Tribune

Italian aid workers, Simona Pari and Simona Torretta, were held hostage for three weeks in September 2004

The Italian Red Cross treated four Iraqi insurgents to secure the release of two Italian women held hostage last year, a Red Cross official has said.

Maurizio Scelli, the outgoing head of the Italian Red Cross, said the deal had been kept secret from the US.

Mr Scelli - who first revealed the story to the Italian daily La Stampa - said Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's right-man man, Gianni Letta, was aware of the deal. "He acknowledged it and - albeit with a thousand recommendations - he told me to go ahead with it."

Mr Scelli said Mr Calipari had been consulted about the deal to free Ms Torretta and Ms Pari.

Agent's advice

Mr Scelli said he did not know the identities of the insurgents his agency had treated. "We collected them in the place we had been told and then took them to hospital with a series of precautions for them to be admitted into hospital as quickly as possible and without any hindrance."

Mr Scelli added that US checkpoints were among the hindrances he was referring to.

~~~

by Oui on Fri Aug 26th, 2005 at 12:28:58 PM EST

Re: Italy 'did deal to free hostages' (none / 0)

Some people like to touch there toes in the water first...some just dive in...you are, clearly, the latter!

As far as the post...how is this playing in Italy, I wonder? I mean, how does Berlosconi play being Bush's friend but also do deals behind his back? And what do the italian people say?

Kind of boggles the brain...

Half the population is under the age of 18. Tanzania's future is NOW...join the 50% campaign!

by whataboutbob on Fri Aug 26th, 2005 at 12:30:09 PM EST

Re: Italy 'did deal to free hostages' (none / 0)

I just thought of a good nickname for Fran: Primetime!

Half the population is under the age of 18. Tanzania's future is NOW...join the 50% campaign!

by whataboutbob on Fri Aug 26th, 2005 at 12:34:46 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Italy 'did deal to free hostages' (none / 0)

HA!

by Fran (fran at eurotrib dot com) on Fri Aug 26th, 2005 at 12:49:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Italy 'did deal to free hostages' | 12 comments (12 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

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