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Anger in Afghanistan: No Trade for Afghan Interpreter While Italian Journalist Goes Home
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ShareMarch 20, 2007 6:47 PM
While the Italian journalist freed by the Taliban headed home to Italy today, more than 100 people demonstrated in front of the Italian-operated hospital in Afghanistan, where the journalist had been a patient, angry that his Afghan interpreter was not part of the hostage trade.
At least two captured Taliban officials were released yesterday in exchange for the release of the kidnapped Italian journalist, Daniel Mastrogiacomo. But Mastrogiacomo's interpreter remains in the custody of the Taliban.
The hostage trade was in part negotiated by an Italian-run hospital organization in Lashkar Gah where the protests took place today.
According to eyewitness reports, relatives of the journalist's driver, who was beheaded by the Taliban following the abduction, were among the protesters accusing the director of the organization of not negotiating on behalf of the Afghan interpreter.
Mastrogiacomo and his translator were kidnapped by Taliban fighters two weeks ago in southern Afghanistan. Following their capture, a top Taliban commander threatened to kill the men if spokesmen for their movement were not released within seven days.
Click Here for Full Blotter Coverage.
Mastrogiacomo was released yesterday following the release of the Taliban officials who were in the custody of the Afghan federal government.
Photo of Daniel Mastrogiacomo Courtesy of La Repubblica.
March 20, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (2)
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Although I think that Daniel's life has a value (of course), I think the Italians did the wrong thing by negotiating and ultimately giving in to the demands of the terrorists. The Tailban is only emboldened by their success here, and will no doubt attempt this sort of thing again.
Posted by: Jazz | Mar 23, 2007 11:05:18 AM
When are people going to learn? For people like members of the Taliban, any attempt at being civilized is seen as a sign of weakness and only further emboldens them. The only thing these types understand is brute force: complete, total and immediate.
Posted by: chuck moody | Apr 1, 2007 8:37:51 PM
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