Italy Won't Send U.S. Extradition Request For CIA Agents

[NNN0LHI]

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/I/ITALY_CIA_KIDNAPPING?SITE=FLTAM&SECTION=INTERNATIONAL

ROME (AP) -- The justice minister has refused to send to the United States a request for the arrest and extradition of 22 purported CIA agents accused of kidnapping an Egyptian cleric from a Milan street in 2003, the ministry said Wednesday.

Justice Minister Roberto Castelli told prosecutors who have accused the Americans that he had decided against forwarding their request to Washington, a ministry statement said.

Castelli, who previously called the prosecutor "anti-American," had indicated he was unwilling to press the case, which had already damaged U.S.-Italian relations.

It was unclear whether the prosecutors' extradition request would be forwarded to Washington by a new government, expected to be headed by the center-left after parliamentary elections held Sunday and Monday.



Its amazing how pliable the Italians are with permanent US military bases all over their country.

[annabanana]

1. Perhaps this situation will shift

now that it looks like Burlesconi is actually leaving....