Italian Foreign Affairs Minister thanks PA President Abbas for his intervention on behalf of Italian reporter – Italian Foreign Affairs Ministry press release/Non-UN document

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Minister Fini's message to President of the Palestinian National Authority Abu Mazen

11 September 2005 – Minister for Foreign Affairs Gianfranco Fini today sent the following message to President of the Palestinian National Authority Abu Mazen:

“It is with sincere appreciation that I personally, and in the name of the Italian government, thank you for your prompt intervention on behalf of reporter Lorenzo Cremonesi, without which this event would not have had so rapid and fortuitous an outcome.

I would like to thank you particularly for your personal involvement and for informing me directly and personally of the journalist's immediate liberation.

We received the news of his release with particular relief, especially as we are aware of how delicate this moment is for the future of the Middle East in the wake of the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

Acts of this sort must not diminish the desire of all of us to persevere in the negotiation process and it is essential to avoid being intimidated by those intending to stop it.

In reiterating my personal feelings of friendship along with the gratitude of the Italian government, I hope to have the opportunity of meeting with you soon”.