These days there are endless controversies regarding the ransom that many Arabic-language newspapers immediately gave for certain (there was talk of a payment from 12 to the 20 million) for the release of the two girls released after more than five months of imprisonment.
Public opinion has in fact created two camps: the one (the majority) of those who do not share the umpteenth payment of public millions and the (minority but very chic) of those who consider the happy return of the two young women to be at the center of the matter "humanitarian workers".
General Termentini in our newspaper, already months ago, warned about costs (not only financial) and consequences of this all-Italian habit (read "Italy bankruptcy of terrorism?") to pay to solve every problem.
How can you blame him? After all, even before ascertaining the terms and responsibilities of what happened, have we not perhaps "compensated" the families of Indian fishermen who died three years ago? !!!
At this point I would like to open a third way: since every payment has been categorically denied and the girls have been treated with respect, should we not at least reimburse the costs?
Let me explain, given that the kidnappers were led - who knows what arguments? - reasonableness, should we not reimburse at least the costs incurred?
Our ... let's call them "volunteers of solidarity" - but in these hours they are leaping out news that would cast doubt on the goodness of their intent (ilgiornale.it) - will they have eaten and drunk, needed clothes and care? Do you have any idea of the costs for the same "withdrawal"? The cars, the gasoline, the armed kidnappers, the supporters ... Mica all work (in black) in the hope of an eventual gain after months that then, let's repeat, officially there hasn't even been!
In short, I believe that, in order not to make the figure of Italians ungrateful or freeloaders, we should pay a few thousand euros.
Certainly not to help terrorism - with a similar amount to finance us? - but to reimburse unfortunate souls who have had nothing in return if not, as the most informed by the services claim, some medical supply or water pump.
Because, in the face of such magnanimity, they do not even go astray.
Andrea Cucco
