tuckerhat
04-27-2004, 05:02 PM
The gist of the article, as I interpret it, is that the Italian government has taken a unified stance against giving in to the demands. Shows the true strength of the Italian people. This reaction is the complete opposite of Spain's response to the March 11th bombings, and in my opinion is sending the right message to those who would seek to "blackmail" nation states.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3663541.stm
Italy grapples with kidnap ultimatum
By Tamsin Smith
BBC, Rome
Italians are facing an extraordinary dilemma after Monday's ultimatum from the kidnappers holding three of their countrymen hostage in Iraq.
The message to the Italian public was clear: "Protest against the war and against Berlusconi in the next five days or we will kill them."
The men's families are planning to lead protest marches
At least one hostage family has pleaded for people to take to the streets in response, but some Italians say they should not give in to blackmail.
The filmed murder of a fourth Italian, Fabrizio Quattrocchi, has already shocked the nation.
The unprecedented demand for public protests to save his three colleagues signals a new period of anguish for the nation and for the hostages' families.
I plead for all fathers and mothers to do their best so these boys can come back to their homes... we need everyone to help us
Angelo Stefio, Hostage father:
"We are now in the hands of the Italian people," said Angelo Stefio, the father of one of the hostages.
"I plead for all fathers and mothers to do their best so these boys can come back to their homes... we need everyone to help us."
The hostages' families and relatives say they will lead a demonstration through the streets of Rome this week.
But both the Italian government and opposition are standing firm, refusing to bow to demands of the kidnappers.
'No deals'
The office of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi confirmed in a statement that the government was doing all it could to secure the release of the men.
"Italians are good people who know how to use their heads and would never make pacts with terrorists," said Renato Schifani, senate representative of the prime ministers Forza Italia party.
For now, Mr Berlusconi can count on backing from across Italy's political spectrum.
Quattrocchi's death has shocked the nation
'We who were against the war are completely opposed to any negotiation with kidnappers and terrorists," said Francesco Rutelli, leader of the opposition centre-left Daisy party.
"The opposition must not let its political agenda be dictated by hostage takers," added Pierluigi Castagnetti.
Other political voices warn that the kidnappers' demands are a ransom with a high political price... a direct attempt to divide and polarise political opinion.
The point of view is echoed in Italy's newspapers.
"Yet again terrorism is trying to snatch authority from politics, both government and opposition," writes leading daily La Repubblica.
We can't give in to blackmail, but neither can we wash our hands with a simple denial
Flavio Lotti, Tavola della Pace :
"The problem now is what to do next, knowing what kind of enemy we are dealing with," says Corriere della Sera on its front page, "but paradoxically to then brand any public demonstration as giving into the kidnappers also means swallowing the terrorists' line."
The call for a public denouncement of Italy's involvement with the US-led occupation has been greeted with unease from some of Italy's peace movements.
"We can't give in to blackmail," says Flavio Lotti, leader of peace organisation Tavola della Pace.
"But neither can we wash our hands with a simple denial."
May Day marches
The first of May is usually a day when Italians march on piazzas across the country in support of civil rights, and more recently in support of peace.
"The marches for peace should continue," says the leader of the Greens, Pecorado Scano, "but not because of a dictat from Iraq."
Italian public opinion, traditionally opposed to the war in Iraq, now seems unsure how to react to this latest chapter in the hostage story.
It's one thing to demonstrate if it's on our own initiative, but to do it as blackmail, as a sort of ransom is different
Francesca, Student :
"We've already had lots of anti-war demonstrations," says Fabrizio, an engineer. "Aren't those enough to satisfy the kidnappers?"
"It's one thing to demonstrate if it's on our own initiative," agrees Francesca, a student, "but to do it as blackmail, as a sort of ransom is different... it makes me feel uncomfortable."
"We should be free to demonstrate if we want," says Marco, "but without becoming political symbols."
The demand was made public in a video broadcast on Al Arabiya television channel, images which have been under intense scrutiny in Italy.
The Italian press examined the pictures in forensic detail, discussing their unshaven appearance, clothes, food and surroundings.
For the anguished families, the video did at least allow them to breath a short sigh of relief: it provided proof, for now, that the men were still alive.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3663541.stm
Italy grapples with kidnap ultimatum
By Tamsin Smith
BBC, Rome
Italians are facing an extraordinary dilemma after Monday's ultimatum from the kidnappers holding three of their countrymen hostage in Iraq.
The message to the Italian public was clear: "Protest against the war and against Berlusconi in the next five days or we will kill them."
The men's families are planning to lead protest marches
At least one hostage family has pleaded for people to take to the streets in response, but some Italians say they should not give in to blackmail.
The filmed murder of a fourth Italian, Fabrizio Quattrocchi, has already shocked the nation.
The unprecedented demand for public protests to save his three colleagues signals a new period of anguish for the nation and for the hostages' families.
I plead for all fathers and mothers to do their best so these boys can come back to their homes... we need everyone to help us
Angelo Stefio, Hostage father:
"We are now in the hands of the Italian people," said Angelo Stefio, the father of one of the hostages.
"I plead for all fathers and mothers to do their best so these boys can come back to their homes... we need everyone to help us."
The hostages' families and relatives say they will lead a demonstration through the streets of Rome this week.
But both the Italian government and opposition are standing firm, refusing to bow to demands of the kidnappers.
'No deals'
The office of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi confirmed in a statement that the government was doing all it could to secure the release of the men.
"Italians are good people who know how to use their heads and would never make pacts with terrorists," said Renato Schifani, senate representative of the prime ministers Forza Italia party.
For now, Mr Berlusconi can count on backing from across Italy's political spectrum.
Quattrocchi's death has shocked the nation
'We who were against the war are completely opposed to any negotiation with kidnappers and terrorists," said Francesco Rutelli, leader of the opposition centre-left Daisy party.
"The opposition must not let its political agenda be dictated by hostage takers," added Pierluigi Castagnetti.
Other political voices warn that the kidnappers' demands are a ransom with a high political price... a direct attempt to divide and polarise political opinion.
The point of view is echoed in Italy's newspapers.
"Yet again terrorism is trying to snatch authority from politics, both government and opposition," writes leading daily La Repubblica.
We can't give in to blackmail, but neither can we wash our hands with a simple denial
Flavio Lotti, Tavola della Pace :
"The problem now is what to do next, knowing what kind of enemy we are dealing with," says Corriere della Sera on its front page, "but paradoxically to then brand any public demonstration as giving into the kidnappers also means swallowing the terrorists' line."
The call for a public denouncement of Italy's involvement with the US-led occupation has been greeted with unease from some of Italy's peace movements.
"We can't give in to blackmail," says Flavio Lotti, leader of peace organisation Tavola della Pace.
"But neither can we wash our hands with a simple denial."
May Day marches
The first of May is usually a day when Italians march on piazzas across the country in support of civil rights, and more recently in support of peace.
"The marches for peace should continue," says the leader of the Greens, Pecorado Scano, "but not because of a dictat from Iraq."
Italian public opinion, traditionally opposed to the war in Iraq, now seems unsure how to react to this latest chapter in the hostage story.
It's one thing to demonstrate if it's on our own initiative, but to do it as blackmail, as a sort of ransom is different
Francesca, Student :
"We've already had lots of anti-war demonstrations," says Fabrizio, an engineer. "Aren't those enough to satisfy the kidnappers?"
"It's one thing to demonstrate if it's on our own initiative," agrees Francesca, a student, "but to do it as blackmail, as a sort of ransom is different... it makes me feel uncomfortable."
"We should be free to demonstrate if we want," says Marco, "but without becoming political symbols."
The demand was made public in a video broadcast on Al Arabiya television channel, images which have been under intense scrutiny in Italy.
The Italian press examined the pictures in forensic detail, discussing their unshaven appearance, clothes, food and surroundings.
For the anguished families, the video did at least allow them to breath a short sigh of relief: it provided proof, for now, that the men were still alive.