One of two Italian recently released from weeks of captivity by Islamic terrorists now says that the guerilla war against American and its allies (including the Iraq government) is justified. She said that the Allawi government is a "puppet in the hands of the Americans."

This is after the rumored payment of 1,000,000 dollars to the terrorists to garner her freedom. This money and her statements will be used to fuel further American and Iraqi deaths. One must ask ourselves: is this a case of Stockholm Syndrome, a staged kidnapping to gain money and support for the terrorists, or just garden variety anti—Americanism? Take your pick.
 
Whatever the answer, one must guard against similar capitulations to terrorists.

Ed Lasky    10 02 04