CIA "kidnapping"

[dcentity2000]

An Italian court has issued Europe-wide arrest warrants for 22 suspected CIA agents accused of helping to kidnap a Muslim cleric in Milan in 2003.

The suspects are accused of abducting Osama Mustafa Hassan, also known as Abu Omar, without Italian permission, and flying him to Egypt for interrogation.

The new warrants allow for the suspects' detention anywhere in the 25-nation EU, a prosecutor said.

The authorities had already issued arrest orders within Italy.

The BBC's defence correspondent, Rob Watson, describes the case as one of the best documented alleged cases of the CIA's policy of extraordinary rendition.

No arrests have so far been made.

All 22 suspects are thought to have returned to the US, a formal Italian extradition request seems unlikely, our correspondent adds.

Shocking. Dumb and shocking.



Rich::

 

[bicker]

I'm not convinced it is so dumb and shocking yet. I'm still forming an opinion on this. I recognize an acknowledge that it's a pretty impotent gesture, representing something that will invariably only constitute a significant but still manageable annoyance for these so-called suspects, but I'm not sure that the judge is off-base. As far as I know, Italian law was broken on Italian soil, without Italy's approval, and counter to what Italy has determined to be its best interest. Why shouldn't they be justified in seeing to enforce their laws?

 

[dcentity2000]

Just to clarify: I think that the CIA was acting inappropriately, not Italy. That is, if the CIA did indeed kidnap someone on Italian soil.



Rich::

 

[DawnCt1]

Shocking. Dumb and shocking.



Rich::

Yes, it is dumb and shocking that the Italian government would issue warrants for CIA agents who are trying to fight the war on terror at great risk to themselves. Word is Berlusconi was informed that this was going to take place but he wanted to retain "deniability" just in case it became an "issue". Italy has their own problems with certain terrorist immigrants too.

 

[DawnCt1]

Just to clarify: I think that the CIA was acting inappropriately, not Italy. That is, if the CIA did indeed kidnap someone on Italian soil.



Rich::

How else do you catch the really bad guys Rich? Didn't you ever watch James Bond??

 

[JimB.]

Italy?

You mean the country that RELEASED the mastermind of the Achille Lauro hijacking?

The country that has had a history of paying ransoms for the release of Italians, thereby furthering the conduct of terrorist activities?

The country that, in the summer of 2005, had the Italian Red Cross treat 4 wanted Iraqi terrorist & hid the fact from the US, guaranteeing their release (and probable further activities)?

Like I should be concerned about their activities?

Oh, puh-leez.

 

[artvandelay]

Italy?

You mean the country that RELEASED the mastermind of the Achille Lauro hijacking?

That's the first thing I thought of.

 

[Planogirl]

Italy is still a sovereign nation and has the right to run its country as it sees fit. I don't think that we would like it if Italian agents came into the United States and started abducting people under our very noses.

 

[eclectics]

Italy is still a sovereign nation and has the right to run its country as it sees fit. I don't think that we would like it if Italian agents came into the United States and started abducting people under our very noses.

Thank you. Saved me some typing!

 

[ford family]

Italy is still a sovereign nation and has the right to run its country as it sees fit. I don't think that we would like it if Italian agents came into the United States and started abducting people under our very noses.

Isn't that what the Mafia does already?

ford family

 

[Planogirl]

Isn't that what the Mafia does already?

ford family

The Mafia tends to be Italian-American if I'm not mistaken. Nice try though.

 

[DawnCt1]

Italy is still a sovereign nation and has the right to run its country as it sees fit. I don't think that we would like it if Italian agents came into the United States and started abducting people under our very noses.

Again, I don't think that happened. Berlusconi was informed and a part of the decision. He has his own political problems and has opted to retain "deniability". That doesn't mean that we should stop our war on terror because of Italian anxieties.

 

[DawnCt1]

The Mafia tends to be Italian-American if I'm not mistaken. Nice try though.

I am sure when they are committing crimes, kidnapping, racketeering, murdering, that they aren't thinking of themselves as Americans......until they get caught, then they definately want those American rights.

 

[DawnCt1]

Italy?

You mean the country that RELEASED the mastermind of the Achille Lauro hijacking?

The country that has had a history of paying ransoms for the release of Italians, thereby furthering the conduct of terrorist activities?

The country that, in the summer of 2005, had the Italian Red Cross treat 4 wanted Iraqi terrorist & hid the fact from the US, guaranteeing their release (and probable further activities)?

Like I should be concerned about their activities?

Oh, puh-leez.

Now you know why we need the CIA!

 

[eclectics]

Again, I don't think that happened. Berlusconi was informed and a part of the decision. He has his own political problems and has opted to retain "deniability". That doesn't mean that we should stop our war on terror because of Italian anxieties.

Where is the quote from Berlusconi saying he approved and was part of this? Or is this more Fox heresay?

 

[ford family]

Where is the quote from Berlusconi saying he approved and was part of this? Or is this more Fox heresay?

Never believe a rumour until it has been officially denied.

(and try http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2005/12/05/DI2005120501298.html if FOX is too simplistic for you).

ford family

 

[Planogirl]

Where is the quote from Berlusconi saying he approved and was part of this? Or is this more Fox heresay?

I was wondering the same thing. Any evidence of this somewhere?

Also, Italy has a full court system and lives under the government of its choice. I fail to see why Italian-Americans would claim to be Italian until they are arrested. I'm sure that they know they're American citizens long before that.

 

[DawnCt1]

Where is the quote from Berlusconi saying he approved and was part of this? Or is this more Fox heresay?

Actually it was on MSNBC but that doesn't matter. Do you really think that given his political problems in Italy, which are not unlike the problems in other European countries, that he is actually going to go on the record to say that he permitted the CIA to operate within his country? Like most business with the CIA. You get caught, you are on your own.

 

[DawnCt1]

Never believe a rumour until it has been officially denied.

(and try http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2005/12/05/DI2005120501298.html if FOX is too simplistic for you).

ford family

Well said!

 

[eclectics]

I was wondering the same thing. Any evidence of this somewhere?

Also, Italy has a full court system and lives under the government of its choice. I fail to see why Italian-Americans would claim to be Italian until they are arrested. I'm sure that they know they're American citizens long before that.

Apparently no evidence at all. While I understand us trying to garner info on terrorists, this repeated thumbing our nose at soverign nations laws is just a bit obnoxious, imho.