[monday]

you said: "I read that Garen was embedded with Italian troops until he accused them of gunning down civilians, and which point they told him to take a hike. "

Where did you read this?

you said "Was a condition made for his release?"

From the first line in the article: "A New York journalist ......will be killed as soon as tomorrow UNLESS U.S. FORCES LEAVE the holy city of NAJAF, according to a videotaped demand issued by his supposed captors."

I suppose that means they would also release him if US forces left Najaf, although it doesn't say so specifically.

[Cinnamon Girl]

It's interesting that they waited for Al Sadr to back out of yesterday's aledged surrender to make this demand.