The militants who kidnapped an Italian reporter in Afghanistan must prove he is still alive before any negotiations for his release can begin, Italy's ambassador in Kabul said Saturday, according to The Associated Press. Taliban insurgents claim they kidnapped Daniele Mastrogiacomo _ a reporter with Italian daily newspaper La Repubblica, along with two Afghans who were traveling with him in Nad Ali district of Helmand province on Monday _ a day after the newspaper lost touch with its correspondent. «We do hope that people who hold Daniele (are) ready to start a dialogue based on one simple point, the proof that these people ... they hold the hostage in their hands and that they can provide the proof of life of Daniele,» Ettore Francesco Sequi told reporters in Kabul. There is no proof that the recent statements attributed to the Taliban even come from anyone linked to the kidnapping, Sequi said. However, Italy's Foreign Finistry said Saturday evening that it believes Mastrogiacomo is alive.
