Three Italian Hostages in Iraq Free

[maddezmom]

ROME - Three Italians and a Polish contractor who were abducted in Iraq (news - web sites) have been freed, the government and Polish television reported Tuesday.



Polish Foreign Ministry spokesman Boguslaw Majewski said American forces freed the hostages, but that he had no further details.


Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini and Gianni Letta, a top aide to Premier Silvio Berlusconi, confirmed reports that the three were free.


The Italian hostages, who were in Iraq as private security guards, were abducted in April. A fourth Italian abducted with them was slain shortly after the kidnapping and his body later returned to Italy.

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http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=540&ncid=736&e=3&u=/ap/20040608/ap_on_re_mi_ea/italy_iraq_abductions

[whosinpower]

1. Great news

I wonder how the US will spin this one.....if anyone recalls the abducters demanded that Italy hold a war protest....which they did in epic proportions. The US government were very against the demonstration as they stated something along the line of not giving in to terrorist demands.......

[maddezmom]

2. Special Forces Free Four Foreign Hostages in Iraq

MILAN, Italy (Reuters) - Special forces from the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq (news - web sites) Tuesday freed three Italian hostages held for almost two months and a Pole abducted a week ago, authorities and the military said.



The three Italian hostages are in good physical condition, Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said.


"They were freed about one and a half hours ago by coalition forces near Baghdad. There was no bloodshed. The boys are on their way to the airport now," Frattini said on state television.


He said no deal had been cut for the hostages' release.

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more: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=574&ncid=721&e=3&u=/nm/20040608/wl_nm/iraq_italy_hostages_dc