U.S. knew of Italian hostage mission

by on March 11th, 2005

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,150158,00.html

ROME — U.S. forces in Iraq were only partially informed about last week’s Italian intelligence mission to release a hostage, which ended with a shooting on the road to Baghdad airport and the death of secret service agent Nicola Calipari, Italian newspapers said Friday.

While U.S. authorities were informed of the presence of Calipari and a colleague, they did not know that the mission was aimed at freeing journalist Giuliana Sgrena, Italian dailies La Repubblica and Corriere della Sera reported. Sgrena hade been kidnapped in Baghdad on Feb. 4.

Calipari’s killing by American forces on March 4 shocked Italy and prompted Premier Silvio Berlusconi and other top officials to demand a full explanation from Washington.

Etalkinghead Staff