ITALY: ITALIAN REACTION TO THE RELEASE OF THE THREE ITALIAN HOSTAGES HELD IN IRAQ, FREED BY U.S FORCES

Record ID: 648174

  • Title: ITALY: ITALIAN REACTION TO THE RELEASE OF THE THREE ITALIAN HOSTAGES HELD IN IRAQ, FREED BY U.S FORCES
  • Date: 9th June 2004
  • Summary: (W4) ROME, ITALY (JUNE 9, 2004) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 1. SLV STREET SCENES 0.05 2. SLV NEWSPAPER STAND 0.10 3. VARIOUS NEWSPAPER HEADLINES, READING: 'BLITZ - USA. ITALIAN HOSTAGES FREED. ELECTION MIRACLE THREE HOSTAGES FREED MINUS ONE.' 0.27 4. SCU (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) GIOVANNI STRINARI, SHOPPER, SAYING: "It's a very positive thing - naturally everyone is talking about the coincidence with the elections - but I don't think that is important." 0.42 5. SLV PEOPLE IN STREET 0.47 6. SCU (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) MARIA TOONI, PASSERBY, SAYING: "I am very happy for them but its a bit suspicious it happened right near the European elections." 0.57 7. WIDE OF NEWSPAPER KIOSK 1.02 8. SCU (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) GIULIA MANCARDI, PASSERBY, SAYING: "I hope we Italians are intelligent enough to decide who we vote for without having our opinions changed last minute by this release." 1.22 9. SLV OF STREET SCENE/ POLICE 1.25 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 24th June 2004 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: ROME,ITALY
  • Country: Italy
  • Reuters ID: LVA9J8DBS4HNC0LLGJB4BM3ZAZXZ
  • Story Text: Italians react to the release of three Italians
    hostages, freed by U.S.-led special forces in Iraq.



    Three hostages freed from their Iraqi kidnappers by
    U.S.-led coalition forces returned to Italy on Wednesday
    (June 9) after nearly two months in captivity in a boost
    for the government before this weekend's European
    elections.

    Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who sent peacekeeping
    troops to Iraq despite widespread opposition among Italians
    to the war, said the safe release of the three hostages was
    proof his government's policies in Iraq were working.

    A fourth Italian hostage, Fabrizio Quattrocchi, was
    shot dead after Italy refused to bow to demands to withdraw
    its 2,700 troops from Iraq.

    The release of the hostages sparked relief and joy
    across the political spectrum, but some in the opposition
    also noted that it came at a convenient time for the
    government as it may temper bad feeling over the presence
    of Italian troops in Iraq.

    It's a very positive thing - naturally everyone is
    talking about the coincidence with the elections - but I
    don't think that is important," said citizen Giovanni
    Strinari whilst shopping
    in central Rome.

    "I am very happy for them but its a bit suspicious it
    happened right near the European elections," said passerby
    Maria Tooni.

    Italy said no deal had been cut with the hostage
    takers.

    Shopper Guilia Mancardi said she hoped the release of
    the hostages wouldn't influence their vote.

    "I hope we Italians are intelligent enough to decide
    who we vote for without having our opinions changed last
    minute by this release," she told Reuters on the streets of
    Rome on Wednesday.

    The three Italians, Umberto Cupertino, Maurizio Agliana
    and Salvatore Stefio, worked in Iraq for a U.S. security
    firm and were kidnapped on April 12 as a wave of abductions
    swept Iraq.









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