Hostages ‘will die’ unless Italians protest
The message to the Italian public was clear: “Protest against the war and against Berlusconi in the next five days or we will kill them.”
At least one hostage family has pleaded for people to take to the streets in response, but some Italians say they should not give in to blackmail.
The filmed murder of a fourth Italian, Fabrizio Quattrocchi, has already shocked the nation.
The unprecedented demand for public protests to save his three colleagues signals a new period of anguish for the nation and for the hostages’ families.
“We are now in the hands of the Italian people,” said Angelo Stefio, the father of one of the hostages.
“I plead for all fathers and mothers to do their best so these boys can come back to their homes... we need everyone to help us.”
The hostages’ families and relatives say they will lead a demonstration through the streets of Rome this week.
But both the Italian government and opposition are standing firm, refusing to bow to demands of the kidnappers.
The office of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi confirmed in a statement that the government was doing all it could to secure the release of the men.
“Italians are good people who know how to use their heads and would never make pacts with terrorists,” said Renato Schifani, senate representative of the Prime Minister’s Forza Italia party.
However, Italy intends to keep troops in Iraq despite the threats, Mr Berlusconi said. “We have started this mission and we intend to carry on,” he said.
Berlusconi, who backed the US and British invasion of Iraq last year, has vowed Italian forces, numbering 3,000, will remain in the country.
The kidnapper’s ultimatum has been greeted with unease from some of Italy’s peace movements.
“We can’t give in to blackmail,” says Flavio Lotti, leader of peace organisation Tavola della Pace. “But neither can we wash our hands with a simple denial.”
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