Posted on 08/26/2004 3:45:52 PM PDT by areafiftyone
A group called the Islamic Army in Iraq had claimed to have seized Mr Baldoni, who disappeared near Najaf several days ago.
The kidnappers were calling for Italy to withdraw its 2,700 troops from Iraq, the third largest foreign military contingent in the country, but Italy has refused.
It said it killed Mr Baldoni because of the refusal, Al Jazeera reported.
As well as reporting for Italian newspapers, Mr Baldoni was volunteering for the Red Cross while in Iraq.
He and his driver-interpreter were reportedly caught in an ambush between Baghdad and Najaf. His driver was found dead on Saturday.
Mr Baldoni's daughter Gabriella Baldoni, said: "He was trying to save human lives in Najaf by helping a Red Cross convoy in a spirit of solidarity which has always underscored his thinking and his actions."
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said of the killing: "There are no words for an inhuman act which all at once wipes out centuries of civilisation and returns us to the dark times of barbarism."
Four other Italians have been taken hostage in Iraq since militants began employing the technique in April to pressure US allies and businesses to leave the country.
One of them, civilian security guard Fabrizio Quattrocchi, was shot dead, while three others were released unharmed.
Bastards
Thanks! I needed that! ;-)
Don't leave home without it.
Ciao, Paisano.
"There are no words for an inhuman act which all at once wipes out centuries of civilisation and returns us to the dark times of barbarism."
Sounds like the leadership in Italy knows what to do.
I hate them all! Prayers going out to this guy's family.
Hahaha! ;-)
So, they killed a JOURNALIST. That speaks volumes about their desperation. Sadr was able to get the previous ones set free.
They officially just bit the hand that feeds them.
Italians are very cultured, well spoken, even tempered, and amiable, on balance.
But when provoked, it gets quite serious. When they have to kick it up oldschool, they know exactly what to do.
Like Kramer said on Seinfeld once, "If I don't like you buddy, you got problems!" ;-)
You're right. I only needed to see my father get angry once. Once was enough thanks.
My condolences to the Baldoni family and to Italy.
The terrorist scum hate the strong.
I know what you mean. I have a strong reputation as being a smiling and happy guy, even when mildly annoyed or provoked a bit. I just don't take life too seriously,what can I say?
I am 100% FBI, as I said, and Sicilian at that. Sure we all get annoyed here and there but I usually roll with it and it passes quickly. Like I said, even tempered.
I am known to hold a grudge, sometimes for decades or more, though its not the 'gnawing' kind - it's the 'they are dead and buried' kind. That is to say, if I was on a boat and someone I grudge fell overboard with arms flailing and sinking fast, my reaction would be to cooly call over a waitress and say 'Excuse me, could you get me an expresso, please? This is going to be good.' :-)
That being said, I have only gotten very angry twice since 1990 or so. In one instance I was so furious my biting verbal attack made an otherwise nice young woman cry! Oh wel, don't get me that angry, I guess...
In both cases I cooled off after a while and made amends to avoid extended hostilities (even if I kept the grudge going). But the lesson was learned (and remembered) by all - HitmanNY is one mean dude when he has to be!
That's Italia! ;-)
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Enrico Baldoni
From Corriere della Sera, one of the lesser 'liberal' newspapers in Italy.
ROMA - Il presidente del Senato Marcello Pera ha definito l'uccisione di Enzo Baldoni come "un altro episodio della guerra del terrorismo fanatico contro ogni principio di civilta'''. Ribadendo l'impegno contro il terrorismo Pera ha anche rivolto il suo cordoglio e la sua solidarieta' alla famiglia Baldoni. (Agr)
Senator Marcello Pera defined that the murder of Enzo Baldoni as "another episode in the fanatical war of terrorism against every principle of civilization". He extends his sympathy to the Baldoni family.
They are insects. I won't even call them animals anymore. Prayers for this man's family. God rest his soul.
Prairie
Is this one of the Italians that was captured with Quattrocchi or did they release them and capture this man another time?
He wasn't captured with Quattrocchi... Baldoni was only captured a few days ago. There's a picture of Baldoni at post #19 showing him as he was helping the Red Cross on August 15th.
The three Italians who were captured along with Quattrocchi were released after Quattrocchi was murdered.
A person is killed in a car accident.
A person is murdered by the premeditated act of violence against an unarmed civilian.
Shame on the editors of this "headline"
Shame
I will send them a letter of condolence and support.
Here is the Email of the Italian Embassy in Washington.
stampa@itwash.org
Thank you for that information.
I just sent a condolances (and thanks for being a partner against terrorism) email.
Bump so others might do the same.
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