Italy bankruptcy of terrorism?

19/11/14

From many quarters, especially internationally, Italy is considered as the "ATM" of international terrorism as it too often, if not always, pays the ransom for the release of Italian hostages in the hands of subversive organizations like Al Qaeda and now ISIS.

A charge to our country that since the release of the two Simona in Iraq, returns as soon as the announcement of the liberation of an Italian is given and even if not confirmed by the institutions, is instead witnessed by many national media organizations, without being denied.

We try to retrace, therefore, the most significant steps to try to understand how criticisms against Italy are credible and if, rather, are fantasies to discredit our country. References to important episodes that have occurred over time referring to accredited press sources, with the aim of proposing a synthetic but at the same time complete narration, which helps to understand if our nation deserves to be referred to as one of the sources of economic resources for terrorists. One reason, perhaps, because our compatriots become "attractive and profitable prey" for anyone with terrorism as the primary purpose to be achieved.

How important it is for subversive organizations to have substantial financial resources, said Abur Basir, a spokesman for Nasseir al Wuhayshi, al Qaida's head in the Arabian Peninsula, in a statement. In August 2012 wrote to Abdelmalek Droukdel, leader of al Qaeda Maghreb that the Jihad had high costs but the loot at the disposal of the organization was substantial and such to guarantee the coverage of expenses. News published by the New York Times that also talked about an accounting held by terrorists divided between the count of the number of deaths for the cause and the economic resources available, of which more than half was attributable to the hostage business.

On that occasion, Abur Basir emphasized the importance of this resource by stating that "kidnapping foreigners is an easy loot, a profitable trade and, therefore, a precious treasure".

An annuity that, however, could only be canceled if the international rules in force that prohibit paying ransoms to terrorists were applied as established by a UN resolution passed after the 11 September 2001 and an agreement signed by the G8 countries for stop "a profitable trade" for Al Qaeda.

In fact, things are different, and both the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal have published detailed articles in which they reveal how the hostage business is growing particularly in North Africa. News never denied by the main European countries, including Italy. Almost an admission to have paid ransoms for the liberation of citizens abducted by terrorist organizations.

A turnover that at international level is estimated at 125 million dollars collected by 2008 to date from the subversive formations for the collection of redemptions. A huge flow of money to which Italy contributes substantially as evidenced by recent journalistic investigations.

Press sources tell us, in fact, that from the 2004 until today Italy has paid a total of 61 million euro for 14 hostages captured by subversive organizations operating in various geographical areas. A huge number and a choice absolutely different from those adopted by the USA and Great Britain as concrete facts show. Two humanitarian workers, Federico Motka (Italian-Swiss) kidnapped on the same day as Englishman David Haines was released after a few months, the British citizen beheaded in September by ISIS. To free the Italian-Swiss co-operative, according to the weekly Panorama "Italy has paid a ransom of 6 million euros".

It is not the only case of payment told by the media. Also for the release of the journalist Quirico, who was kidnapped in Xiath 9 on April 2013 and released on September 8, a ransom seems to have been paid. Two journalists, Harald Doornbos and Jenan Moussa, tell the story, with an article published by Foreign Policy stating that the Italian government has paid four million dollars. The revelation that has been attributed to this Motaz Shaklab of the Syrian National Council, an internationally recognized opposition body to Assad. He says that he was the mediator between the Italian government and the kidnappers and that he was present at the time of payment. The minister Bonino asked, instead and several times, that "It did not turn out" that a ransom was paid. Virtually an admission like: I was not there and if I was there I did not see!

It is a fact, therefore, that all Italians kidnapped abroad from Giuliana Sgrena, Simona Pari and Simona Torretta, to get to Federico Motka and Marco Vallisa, passing by journalists Mastrogiacomo and Domenico Quirico and others, have been released behind the payment of millionaires redemptions. The demonstration that our governments have not only dealt with terrorists, but also distributed millions of euros of public money by funding organizations such as ISIS and its killers as the "black executioner" author of the video of the beheading of Steven Sotloff.

Only two days ago, moreover, a humanitarian operator was executed, the American Peter Edward Kassig, just 26 years while almost simultaneously another Italian hostage was freed, Marco Vallisa, the Italian technical 54enne kidnapped in Libya in Zwara on 5 July 2014, for which a ransom of 4 million dollars seems to have been paid.

A sad confirmation, All the hostages of countries that refuse to pay ransoms for not replenishing the coffers of international terrorism are executed, only the Italians and some French are freed behind huge disbursements of money.

A reality that suggests that Islamic terrorists probably consider any Italian and even French hostage as precious goods. A belief that, however, increases the risk for our compatriots who in some way operate in the world.

Today, as far as known, four Italians still remain in the hands of the kidnappers. Vanessa Marzullo and Greta Ramelli kidnapped last 31 July, cooperating sympathizers of Islamic terrorists as were the two Simona kidnapped in Iraq in 2003, Father Paolo Dall'Oglio, a pro-Islamic priest also kidnapped the 29 July 2013 and, from beyond two years, the cooperator Giovanni Lo Porto kidnapped in January the 19 2012 January.

An Italy against the current with respect to the "rest of the world" subject to rare exceptions. A contradictory country also in this. We are ready to deliver two of our soldiers hostage to a third country, the Fucilieri of Marina Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone, and at the same time we are ready to pay the ransom to free hostages captured by terrorists, perhaps because they are not careful to move in areas at risk.

Practices not denied by our executive that invites not to argue with India and at the same time through the undersecretary of foreign Giro informs us: "We will bring back our hostages at home. It does not matter how ", also stating that" every country is sovereign to deal or not "with the kidnappers, letting it be understood that Italy does not intend to abandon the road of payment of ransoms, despite our allies in the fight against terrorism such as London and Washington , are totally against this policy designed to encourage kidnappers.

Human life is priceless and therefore the payment of a ransom to free a hostage could also be justifiable. It is no longer, however, when the proceeds go to replenish the coffers of subversive organizations ready to use the money collected to kill hundreds of thousands of people, including women and children.

Moreover, it is not clear why it is not applied even in the case of kidnappings abroad, the national law that prohibits and punishes the payment of any ransom even by seizing the assets of the kidnapped and his family. A constraint that should be extended even when the person is kidnapped outside the national territory, avoiding to be complicit in providing resources to subversive groups.

A provision to be supplemented with precise information and warnings against those who decide for any reason to go to countries at risk, establishing that everyone would do so at their own risk.

In fact, we can not continue to send the dangerous message of being good payers and, therefore, among the financiers of extremist groups that threaten global security and the guarantees that every modern democracy guarantees to its citizens.

As long as we continue to pay ransoms to potential Italian hostages, we will continue to be increasingly vulnerable and to represent an inexhaustible ATM for international terrorism.

Fernando Termentini