Italy warned against 'negotiating with terrorists'

The US has renewed criticism of Italian negotiations that led to the release of a kidnapped Italian journalist in Afghanistan and warned against such deals in the future.

US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice spoke to Italy’s foreign minister Massimo D’Alema last night after criticism by the US and some European countries of the hostage swap that lead to the release of five Taliban militants.

“It is a well-known and long-standing policy that the United States government stressed to the government of Italy during this crisis, as it has in previous kidnapping crises,” State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said.

“Given the increased threat created for all of us who have people on the ground in places like Afghanistan, we expect that concessions will not be made in the future.”

Mr McCormack said earlier that US officials were not previously aware of Italian negotiations that led to the release of Taliban militants for the freedom of Daniele Mastrogiacomo, the kidnapped reporter for the newspaper La Repubblica.

He said the United States was pleased for Mr Mastrogiacomo’s family, but the deal could have unintended consequences.

“Our views are known on this very clear: We don’t negotiate with terrorists; we don’t advise others to do so,” Mr McCormack said.

“The concern I think is obvious, in that you have individuals who are potentially quite dangerous who have been released from prison.”

Asked whether the United States also was concerned that the precedent could endanger others in Afghanistan by encouraging future kidnappers to believe their demands could be met, Mr McCormack nodded.

“Certainly, there are other potential unintended consequences from such an action,” he said.