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Italy 'bribed the Taliban all over Afghanistan'

Gabriel92

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(back to the past,2008)
Don't know if it is the right section so.

Italy 'bribed the Taliban all over Afghanistan': Fresh claims as row over death of ten French soldiers escalates


A Taliban commander and two senior Afghan officials have allegedly confirmed that Italian forces paid protection money to prevent attacks on their troops – despite strenuous denials from the country.

Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi yesterday insisted that his government ‘has never authorised or allowed any payment’ in response to a report in The Times.

But today the newspaper claimed Mohammed Ishmayel, a Taliban commander, said a deal had been struck last year to guarantee that Italian forces in the Salobi area east of Kabul, were not attacked by insurgents.

Afghan officials added they were aware of the protection payments being issued on behalf of Italian forces elsewhere in Pakistan as well, including Herat.

The protection payments came to light after the death of ten French soldiers in August 2008 at the hands of the Taliban in the region.

The French had taken over the district from Italian troops thinking the area was quiet and safe, and were unaware of the alleged secret payments meant to stop attacks on their forces.

Mr Ishmayel told The Times that under the deal it was agreed that ‘neither side should attack one another. That is why we were informed at that time, that we should not attack the Nato troops.’

When the Italian forces left the area the insurgents were not informed and assumed they had broken the deal.

Rome Defence Minister Ignazio La Russa insists the allegations are ‘absolute rubbish’.

He said: ‘I had been minister for a short time (in the summer of 2008), I’ve never received news from the secret services of payment to the chiefs of the Taliban.’

He also suggested that the peaceful attitude towards Italian troops in the region had less to do with bribery and was instead owed to ‘the behaviour of our military, which is very different compared to that of other contingents.’

Italy has about 2,800 soldiers stationed in Herat and in the capital of Kabul. It has suffered 21 deaths in Afghanistan, including a soldier who died yesterday in a road accident.

The Times report revived accusations that Italy has a penchant for paying its way out of difficult situations.

Allegations that Rome paid ransom to free its hostages have appeared in cases of kidnappings involving Italians abroad, though governments have denied this.

Embarrassment for Italy as Taliban commander 'confirms protection payments were made to prevent attacks on troops' | Daily Mail Online

@flamer84 :crazy:
 
Hi,

The U S military paid the Taliban for safe passage of supplies from Pakistani border to U S military Bases in afghanistan.

When Pakistan put sanctions on U S supply transport thru Pakistan---the Taliban were hurt---they did not have money to pay their Taliban troops and the attacks on the U S forces decreased by 50 %..
 
The Soviets did this too upon retreat. It was in fact, one source of tension between tribes and factions that persisted and worsened many years on into the civil war
 
Italians are smart.
 
Where is that @Markus - the half Italian who boasted of some superiority here....look at your troops valour and courage !!!!!!!!!!!!!

We already knew this about Italians- we hot Sonia and Rahul Gandhi
:rofl:
 
Where is that @Markus - the half Italian who boasted of some superiority here....look at your troops valour and courage !!!!!!!!!!!!!

We already knew this about Italians- we hot Sonia and Rahul Gandhi

He's on a vacation, all expense paid vacation to pinkistan, courtesy mods and a few distasteful posts of his.

But yes, this is part of that superior culture he was boasting about.
 
I've a simple rule regarding Italians (after years of dealing with them):

Rule:
Whenever an Italian opens his mouth, means he's lying......

Italians maybe the only people more corrupt than the ones from subcontinent.
 
In war a soldier reported to German General, Sir, Italians wage a war.
General smoke his Cigar & said, what's the problem send 10 divisions & crushed them, but Sir, Soldier interrupted , Sir, they are wage a war with our side.
General got nervous & ordered , deploy 20 divisions & rescued them.






What is the Italian battle flag? A white cross on a white background; What is the shortest book ever written? Italian War Heroes; What’s got six reverse gears and one forward gear? An Italian tank. The forward gear is in case they get attacked from behind’; ‘What nation’s soldiers had the most sunburnt armpits of WWII?’.’ Italy’s soldiers’.
 
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