Paper Claims Ransoms Paid For Iraq Hostages

A German diplomatic vehicle in Baghdad takes two freed German engineers from the German Embassy in Baghdad on the start of their journey back to Germany in January (epa) May 22, 2006 -- The British newspaper "The Times" today reported that France, Italy, and Germany recently paid out a total of $45 million to secure the release of nine of their hostages abducted in Iraq.

The newspaper says its reporters have seen documents confirming that all three governments paid cash ransoms for the release of the kidnap victims.

At the time of the hostages' release, the governments in question had all officially denied that ransoms were paid.

(dpa)