Dutch blogger Zacht Ei translates parts of an article from Nederlands Dagblad on the subject of the Italian journalist Giuliana Sgrena recently returned to Italy:
Here’s a conversation she and her colleagues had with experienced Dutch war reporter Harald Doornbos when he tried to discuss safety with them:
You don’t understand the situation. We are anti-imperialists, anti-capitalists, communists,’ they said. The Iraqis only kidnap American sympathizers, the enemies of the Americans have nothing to fear.
Here’s what happened next:
But they knew better. When we arrived at Baghdad Airport, I was waiting for a jeep from the American army to come pick me up. I saw one of the Italian women walking around crying. An Iraqi had stolen her computer and television equipment. They were standing outside shivering, waiting for a cab to take them to Baghdad.
How the story ultimately ended is well known and a tragic illustration of where the assumption that the agenda of ‘militants’ in Iraq overlaps with militants in Italy or anywhere else can lead those who believe it.
via Mick Hartley