Posted on 09/29/2004 9:12:51 AM PDT by Ace
Ransom payments seen fuelling Iraq's hostage crisis
By Luke Baker BAGHDAD, Sept 29 (Reuters) - The release of two Italian aid workers in Iraq has raised hopes other hostages may soon be freed, but reports that a large ransom was paid may only feed the burgeoning hostage crisis.
The two Italians, Simona Pari and Simona Torretta, had been seized along with two Iraqi colleagues from a central Baghdad office in a brazen attack witnesses described as very organised and probably carried out by a criminal gang.
Gustavo Selva, an Italian lawmaker, told French radio a ransom of around $1 million had been handed over.
"In principle, we shouldn't give in to blackmail but this time we had to. Although it's a dangerous path to take because, obviously, it could encourage others to take hostages, either for political reasons or for criminal reasons," Selva told RTL.
"The sum ($1 million) is probably correct," he added.
Over the past year or more, hundreds of Iraqis -- doctors, surgeons and prominent businessmen -- have been kidnapped by criminal gangs who demand ransoms of up to $100,000.
Now, with so many easily-identifiable foreigners in Iraq, criminals appear to have branched out, targeting more lucrative Westerners and foreign workers as well as locals.
Kadhim estimates that about 90 percent of the kidnappings in Iraq are carried out by criminal gangs, who then trade the captives on to militant Islamic groups and other factions.
"If the criminals don't get their money within 72 hours or so, they sell them up the chain to other groups," said a British security consultant who has been operating in Iraq for a year.
"There's vast amounts of money being paid, whether it's by companies, families or governments. It's a very, very good business," he said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.netscape.cnn.com ...
As I hear this news I cannot help but think of this verse from the Bible: "For the LOVE OF MONEY is a root of ALL KINDS of EVIL..." (1 Tim 6:10a) ...caps are mine for emphasis
(How do you get the italics? - Newbie)
Yes, probably so...many observations, many comments, many reflecting my own thoughts, and many reflecting what I feel others may think.
I'm flattered that you went to so much effort to look up an old comment of mine, thanks.
No not a bomb per say - seabees with bulldozers protected by marines. People know and approve or look away when the hostages are in those homes - very openly. There will be a price for such and that means blocks vanish.
Sorry, my apologies, I got confused...I said something similar about principles a while back, and, while doing a couple other things, failed to look at the date/time accurately.....I'm sure you don't care what I said in the past.
I do believe though, that people, regardless of what happens to them, or others, or even to loved ones, think quite differently. I have not lost anyone in either 9/11 nor Iraq, so I'm sure that I don't think the same as you, or those in Italy that this thread is about.
I never put two and two together. Thanks for connecting the dots. That's utterly despicable.
Then why do you post here?
Of course, today the story is no longer on their web site - wish I had posted it ...
I certainly wouldn't put it past them. Many of these "anti-war" types hate America with such a thorough determination that they are willing to do the weirdest sorts of things to sabotage the war. Remember the idiots who volunteered to be "human shields" for Saddam!
I'm beginning to wonder if the West (specifically Europe) has the moral character to fight Islam and win - in the long run.
See #70
Wonder what the families of Italian soldiers think when they here the terrorists received this money? So, two civilians were saved,,and possible more soldiers will die because of it.
Where are the brain cells?
I have posted this idea several times and have heard others do so also, but no one has given a solid answer.
Does the technology exist today, whereby someone can have an embedded and completely hidden GPS signalling device on them so as to know their whereabouts in the event of being kidnapped?
nikos
Chances are the hostagetakers were just plain criminals who keep the money for themselves and their families. Right before the war started Saddam opened the prisongates and set thousands of normal criminals free. Remember part of the deal was that a dozen wounded Iraqi kids have to be treated in Italian hospitals. Doesn't sound like terrorist thinking to me.
I am surprised that some enterprising Iraqi's don't start a hostage rescue business. They could advertise an anonymous tip line paying rewards, build a network of snitches, and hire some hard hittin' pipe carryin' bad a$$es to do the rescues. Since they are Iraqis, it wouldn't be like helping the Westerners, and they could probably get away with it. It would be like in the movie Ransom, where instead of paying the ransom, you pay a reward to whomever rescues the hostage.
How do you know who is going to be kidnapped? If you put it in everyone, then it would be very hard to keep it a secret. If it wasn't a secret, then all the bad guys would have to do, is put the kidnapee in an RF screen room, and leisurely cut on him, until it is found...just 01 scenario
Rome = Vatican? Hmmm, I doubt it.
No one in Italy should be cheering if this is true.
That's right, if there is surveillance that will give you the whereabouts of the person kidnapped the kidnappings would stop after a few are rescued. It would have to be a very small device that can emit a very small signal....
my question does the technology exist?
nikos
They're referring to the government of the Republic of Italy - Italy is neither governed by the Vatican nor is the Vatican governed by Italy.
The clerics they are referring to are two Italian Muslim imams who proffered their service to the Italian government as negotiators.
Again, your prejudice and ignorance have inspired you to leap to unjustified conclusions.
And it should be no surprise if it turns out that way.
One could also post pictures of Yasser Arafat cozying up to Israeli politicians as well. Which, by your sterling logic, would mean that those Israeli leaders also sympathized with Yasser Arafat.
In reality, of course, both the Pope and Israeli politicians have met with him in order to try to extract meaningful promises of peace - not because they thought he was a wonderful person.
I really don't care about my reputation or your thoughts of me. Thanks.
I still feel it incumbent upon me out of courtesy to let you know that you continue to embarass yourself.
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