In Italy, Hostage Release Turns Political | LA Times

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In Italy, Hostage Release Turns Political

By Tracy Wilkinson, Times Staff Writer

ROME — Joy over the liberation this week of three Italians who spent two months as hostages in Iraq has lapsed into bitter political debate ahead of elections this weekend.

The government of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi rejected accusations today that it was using the release of the hostages to bolster the ruling party's sagging fortunes at the polls.

Italians will vote in continent-wide European Parliament elections, as well in local balloting to choose mayors and other municipal leaders throughout the country.

Berlusconi's eager support of Washington's invasion of Iraq and his decision to maintain Italian troops there has cost him support at home. Italians overwhelmingly opposed the war and, by a smaller margin, want their soldiers to be withdrawn.

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