QAEDA BEHIND IRAQ HOSTAGES - FIDES (AGI) - Vatican City, April 15 - The Vatican news agency Fides launched the possibility that "the Italians were kidnapped by a group tied to Al Qaeda. The method of the killing would make us think of this organisation," said Father Nizar Semaan, an Iraqi. According to Father Semaan, "if the Italians were in the hands of Sunni Iraqis, perhaps there would be some more hope. If they had been kidnapped by Shiites, I think the outcome would have been different, because in this phase they seem willing to negotiate with the provisory government, and they are trying to calm the waters after the clashes caused by Moqtada al Sadr." According to Semaan, who expressed his condolences for the Italian killed, "this barbarian execution would probably not have happened if Arab countries had taken a clear stance against terrorism. "I still haven't heard the Arab League and the Islamic League condemn terrorism. They always make distinctions, but violent and senseless acts, such as killing an unarmed hostage or people at a bus stop, are never condemned in a clear way." Father Semaan also denounced the fact that "many Iranians of Iraqi origins have asked for citizenship, and therefore the country is more exposed to foreign influences." According to Semaan, "in this way, the demographic balance of the Iraqi population is tipped towards the Shiites, who are already the majority, and Iranians are buying houses, terrain, and hotels, especially in the south of Iraq." (AGI) .

-- Bill Nelson (bnelson45-nospam@hotmail.com), April 15, 2004

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-- Bill Nelson (bnelson45@hotmail.com), April 15, 2004.

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-- Bill Nelson (bnelson45-nospam@hotmail.com), April 15, 2004.