Italy stands united in face of hostage drama

Italian politicians closed ranks yesterday following the shooting of a hostage in Iraq, saying Rome would never bow to demands to withdraw Italian troops from Iraq.

However, the murder on Wednesday of Sicilian security guard Fabrizio Quattrocchi fuelled cross-party calls for the United Nations to take charge of operations in Iraq amidst fears that violence there was spinning out of US control.

Iraqi militants are holding a further three Italians hostage and have threatened to kill them too unless some 3,000 Italian troops are pulled from the US-led coalition in Iraq.

The majority of Italians opposed the US war on Iraq and the decision by Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi to dispatch troops following the ousting of Saddam Hussein split the nation. However, the hostage crisis appeared to stiffen resolve.

"It wouldn't just be vile, it would also damage us if we pulled out (of Iraq) with the job half done. We cannot give in," Defence Minister Antonio Martino told reporters.

Foreign Minister Franco Frattini praised Quattrocchi as a "hero" and dismissed a purported audio tape by Osama bin Laden, aired on Arab television, that offered a truce to Europeans if they withdrew troops from Muslim nations.

"It is completely unthinkable that we could start negotiations with bin Laden," Mr Frattini told reporters.

Opposition leaders, many of them deeply critical of Mr Berlusconi's unwavering support for US President George W. Bush, urged a united front over the hostages.

"The vile blackmail by a band of criminal kidnappers must not be given the dignity of a political response. Italy is and must remain unified and together," said Francesco Rutelli, leader of a centre-left opposition group, the Daisy party.

However, both opposition and government supporters said the United Nations had to play a more active role in Iraq to prevent the situation deteriorating further.

"Some say that this isn't yet Vietnam, but unfortunately facts show we aren't far off," said centre-left leader Clemente Mastella. "Before it is too late, the Italian government must do everything possible to internationalise the crisis."

A blurry image of Quattrocchi taken shortly before his death stared out from the front pages yesterday as Italy faced up to its first full-blown hostage crisis in recent memory.

Rome's traditional pro-Arab stance shielded Italians from past bouts of Middle East violence. Mr Berlusconi has changed the diplomatic equation by proving a firm ally of US President George W. Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

While many Italians have criticised this shift in emphasis, few people except for the distraught families of the hostages called for talks with the Iraqi kidnappers.

"I absolutely oppose what is happening in Iraq, but I don't think that the kidnap and murder of one person should be what shapes policy," said Clara Biondo, a 26-year-old student in Milan. "That would be effectively paying them ransom."