Thursday, 22 March 2007The United States has complained to Italy over the exchange of a kidnapped Italian journalist for several militants of the Afghan Islamic militia Taliban, a US official said Wednesday.
The official said the swap to gain the release of journalist Daniele Mastrogiacomo on Monday raised the risk of similar kidnappings of NATO and Afghan troops battling the formerly ruling Taliban.
"Although we are pleased with the release of the Italian journalist, Mr Mastrogiacomo, we do have some concerns about the circumstances surrounding his release," the official said.
"It is US policy to use every appropriate resource to gain the safe return of hostages, but to make no concessions to individuals of groups holding those hostages," she said, adding that the United States "did not and do not approve of concessions to terrorists."
"In this case, these concessions caught the US by surprise.
"We believe that these concessions increase the risk to NATO and to Afghan troops and to the Afghan people," she continued, saying Washington had "communicated those concerns" to Italy through diplomatic channels.
The Afghan president's office admitted that it released some Taliban prisoners to gain Mastrogiacomo's freedom, without stating how many.
A Taliban commander told an Afghan news agency that five Taliban prisoners were released in the deal.
22.03.2007
Bakutoday.net |
Thursday, 22 March 2007
US
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