In a recent edition of The Times, the magazine had reported that, Italy had allegedly paid off thousands of dollars to the Taliban operating in Afghanistan to ensure that the areas under the Italian forces remained safe and free from terror attacks. The transactions was believed to have been conducted the by the intelligence service of Italy.

Now, Italy has strongly denied these allegations stating that the new report is completely “groundless” and utterly “rubbish”. Both, the Prime Minister and the Defense Minister of Italy have denounced the reports. In a statement, Italy’s Premier’s office said,

“The Berlusconi government has never authorized nor has it allowed any form of payment toward members of the Taliban insurgence.”

Furthermore, the government stressed on the fact that, if such a deal was made by a previous administration, the present government has absolutely no knowledge of it.

As per the report, the Italian secret service had paid off tens and thousands o dollars to the Taliban and regional warlords and tribal chiefs of the Surobi district, that was under the control of the Italian forces. The Times has also stated that, Italy did not inform successors of the Surobi District, the French forces of the sale, due to which, the French suffered heavy losses, including the loss of a convoy that was hit during an ambush, claiming the lives of 10 French soldiers.

According to the Italian Defense Minister, Ignazio La Russa,

“I had been minister for a short time, I’ve never received news from the secret services of payment to the chiefs of the Taliban. They have always showed they are close to the people and they get the same in return he behavior of our military, which is very different compared to that of other contingents. To connect all of this with the death of the French soldiers … seems an absurdity to me.”

Via Associated Press.