Article

2005-03-11 Iraq-Jordan

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Posted by Steve 2005-03-11 1:50:34 PM|| || Front Page|| [1 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 Sounds like they opened their mouths to obscure the facts.

This is shameful conduct by an erstwhile ally. Now we know what Rommel must have experienced.

Posted by Mrs. Davis 2005-03-11 3:20:51 PM|| 2005-03-11 3:20:51 PM|| Front Page Top

#2 Quoting from a report by Marioli to magistrates investigating Calipari's death, La Repubblica said the general provided documents for the intelligence officer and his aide to move around freely. But he did not know details of their operation in Baghdad, according to his report.
Italian military intelligence informed him late on March 4 that Calipari and his aide would return to Baghdad airport in the company of "an Italian national without a coalition and airport pass". It was not clear if Marioli knew at this stage that Sgrena was the unidentified passenger.
Marioli was tasked with asking US military officials to grant access to the airport to an Italian national traveling with two officials already identified earlier in the day, said La Repubblica. "This was an exchange of information between the military," said the paper. "Marioli had no contact with US intelligence officers."
"The US chain of command had only bits of information.... According to his report General Marioli could not give the Americans the make (a Toyota Corolla), the color (light grey), or the Iraqi license plate," said La Repubblica quoting from the report. "He could not do so because he didn't know and because any problem seemed to be resolved after the main checkpoint had been notified," it added.

Posted by Steve 2005-03-11 4:07:50 PM|| 2005-03-11 4:07:50 PM|| Front Page Top

#3 ..the erstwhile "details" are smelly...could it be they opened additional orifice?

Posted by Hupuck Thrish6219 2005-03-11 4:13:05 PM|| 2005-03-11 4:13:05 PM|| Front Page Top

#4 And of course no mention of the blood money. That would be Iraqi and American blood, Italian money. Mere oversight, I'm sure.

Posted by Remoteman 2005-03-11 4:19:20 PM|| 2005-03-11 4:19:20 PM|| Front Page Top

#5 All this handwringing over being in the dark is totally unnecessary. If the Italians want to be willing extortion victims, and keep all their payouts hush-hush, that's their business. In the end, had the car's driver not been piloting the car in the manner that he apparently was, nobody would have died. Period. Case closed.

Posted by Bomb-a-rama 2005-03-11 5:32:38 PM|| 2005-03-11 5:32:38 PM|| Front Page Top

#6 Gen Mario Marioli helped the two Italian secret service agents obtain a special badge from the coalition forces on their arrival in Baghdad. So, Nicola Calipari and the Carabinieri major who drove the car had proper documents allowing them to travel freely. However,Giuliana Sgrena did not have a pass and her escorts did not want the American military to know they had a freed hostage with them. It's little wonder that they tried to run a road block. Dumb move. High price to pay.

Posted by GK 2005-03-11 6:06:57 PM|| 2005-03-11 6:06:57 PM|| Front Page Top

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