When I first heard about Daniele Mastrogiacomo, I thought of the destiny of many journalists and even tourists who are abducted by terrorists across the globe. I therefore added the appeal to my blog. I'm glad he's free, however, I find difficult to justify this 'trading' of captured terrorists for his release. I'm also appalled that the Italian Left (Government and press) has hardly spared any thoughts for the 'driver', Sayed Agha, who was beheaded by the Talibans. They are 'celebrating' Mastrogiacomo's release. However, his freedom has cost Italy dearly. Will Italian tourists be kidnapped knowing that the government will give in to terrorists? Mastrogiacomo was in Afghanistan looking for an interview with a Taliban. He should have known about the risks. Should the government be responsible for someone who puts his life at risk so willingly? I do not think so.
Mastrogiacomo
3 comments:
I think you are right in your assessment. Whenever a soldier, journalist, tourist, or random person is kidnapped by these terrorist, they have a grim future. I am glad this one is safe, but now these terrorist know what they need to do to get what they want, kidnap another journalist.
Would have rather that they didnt talk to them and he ends up beheaded too?
I sad what happend to his driver, but at least a life was saved at the end.
All i know is the no negotiation with terrorist policy has 1 fatal flaw. It makes terrorist not want to negotiate and go directly to the killing.
Like 9/11. Assuming that policy would make terrorists take no action at all is wrong...
But thats a too complex subject...
Ehm, no. They didn't just 'talk', they traded Mastrogiacomo for 5 Talibans!
This has huge implications for Western diplomacy. It seems that the US put pressure on the Italian Government not to free anybody else resulting in the interpreter being beheaded a day before the ultimatum would have ended.
Mastrogiacomo went to Afghanistan to get an interview from a Taliban, why? Why should the Italian government be responsible for someone who puts his life at risk? Why does Gino Strada politicise a very dangerous situation? This is not about journalists doing their job, it's about someone putting his life at risk voluntarily. The problem now is the politicisation of a difficult and dangerous situation. The media have changed conflict forever and refuse to take responsibility.
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