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Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/21/world/europe/21cnd-italy.html
Italy Swapped Five Jailed Taliban for a Hostage
[New York Times] Ian Fisher - An Italian journalist who was held hostage for 15 days by the Taliban in southern Afghanistan was ransomed for five Taliban prisoners, the Italian government and Afghan officials confirmed Wednesday. It appears to be the first time prisoners have been openly exchanged for a hostage, a move that drew immediate criticism from Washington, London, and other European capitals. "We don't negotiate with terrorists, and we don't advise others to do so either," said State Department spokesman Sean McCormack. The exchange sent "the wrong signal to prospective hostage takers," a spokeswoman for the British Foreign Office said.