Italy debates the cost ($1 million +) of freeing hostages

The Christian Science Monitor ^ | from the September 30, 2004 edition | Sophie Arie

[rface]

bad for Italy - good for the women.

[2banana]

Good news - it was 1 million lire = $5.53

[dead]

The loss of the money is not the problem, its the loss of other Italians in the future now that Italy has sent the message that they are willing to pay people to kidnap them.

Glad that the young women are home safe, but I feel sorry for the ordeals that other innocents are going to face over this.

[BrooklynGOP]

Their kidnappers gave them sweets, cakes, and several English language copies of the Koran by their captors

All that for a million dollars. What a deal!

[Jersey Republican Biker Chick]

I am happy that the women are safe. But you have just given $1 million, to terrorists that they will now use to purchase weapons to fight coalition forces. Thanks a lot Italy.

[Bonaparte]

Ultimately, it's bad for women, too. Italy has foolishly rewarded criminal behavior. That always leads to more criminal behavior.

You Can't Negotiate With Terrorists!

To me, this isn't a complicated concept. Maybe I'm missing something.

[Bonaparte]

Ultimately, it's bad for women, too. Italy has foolishly rewarded criminal behavior. That always leads to more criminal behavior.

You Can't Negotiate With Terrorists!

To me, this isn't a complicated concept. Maybe I'm missing something.

[BritishBulldog]

One thing I have noticed is that aid agencies (usually run by well meaning but confused lefties) are very quick to pull their staff out of areas where they may be threatened, but don't seem to be doing so in Iraq.

Funny that.

[BritishBulldog]

One thing I have noticed is that aid agencies (usually run by well meaning but confused lefties) are very quick to pull their staff out of areas where they may be threatened, but don't seem to be doing so in Iraq.

Funny that.

[BritishBulldog]

One thing I have noticed is that aid agencies (usually run by well meaning but confused lefties) are very quick to pull their staff out of areas where they may be threatened, but don't seem to be doing so in Iraq.

Funny that.

[keat]

The Arabic-speaking women said Wednesday they had been treated with utmost respect and rarely feared for their lives. Their kidnappers gave them sweets, cakes, and several English language copies of the Koran by their captors. Colleagues said they even appeared to have put on weight.

Sounds like a regular party. I'm glad they're safe too but a little pissed that it's coming off as kind of a fun experience for them. Next we'll hear that they're going back to have a reunion with their captors.

Time to watch a beheading video and get back in touch with reality.

[BritishBulldog]

Bloody hell!

Triplicate!

How'd that happen?

[keat]

Maybe I should have continued the pattern and posted mine four times.

[agere_contra]

If it had been two men, there's no doubt I would have given Italy the "appeasing squish" award for paying up.

Damn, it's harder when it's girls. Something viscerally different about that.

But yeah (grits teeth) you lost it Italy, you appeasing squishes.

[Alberta's Child]

I have an easy solution to this problem.

No civilians are allowed in Iraq unless they, their government, or their employer first posts a $1 million bond -- to be used to pay their ransom in the event they are kidnapped. Anyone who goes to Iraq without posting this bond is on his/her own.

Problem solved.

[uglybiker]

Let the Cosa Nostra 'deliver' the funds.

Dey'll takes care uh da problem.

[BossLady]

A thought....The Simonas were kidnapped soley for ransom money that is why they sat around with books, ate cakes and hung out. They knew Italy would pay up. Maybe 'somebody' is running low on finances....hmmmmm...

[usurper]

Sounds like they were abducted by a group of common criminals. If they had not paid the ransom I am quite sure the group would have sold them to the radicals and we can all see how that would have ended.

It must have been an agonizing choice. I fear they chose poorly.

[TheCrusader]

"I am happy that the women are safe. But you have just given $1 million, to terrorists that they will now use to purchase weapons to fight coalition forces. Thanks a lot Italy."

Italy stands side by side with the U.S. in Iraq, being the second largest military contingent after Britain. They lost four dead (male) citizens in their last hostage crisis, and didn't back down or offer money for them. I'm sure they understand the full ramifiacations of this hostage for money exchange and agonized over it before going ahead. I think they did the right thing. And I don't think that they'll pay for any furture hostages that might occur, because those hostages would be men. Women just don't belong in a war zone like Iraq anyway, and Italy just found out why.

[Bonaparte]

Type in the following at google --

"relief agencies" iraq withdrawn

Many have left or refused to even go in.