Was Italian bribe to the Taliban in Afghanistan the reason for heavy French casualties?

Italy's secret services have been accused of paying the Taliban thousands of dollars to keep an area in Afghanistan controlled by the Italians safe.

Rome was also accused of hushing up the bribes, keeping them secret from Nato allies - meaning that when France took over the same area, Paris misread the security situation there.

Shortly afterwards, ten French soldiers were killed in a shock ambush that had massive political repercussions in Paris. More...

Don't miss:

1. Are Hindus in India being paid to become Christians?
2. The Gaddafi-Berlusconi connection...
3. US soldiers talk about the Taliban. Interesting...
4. Obama, like Bush, blocks Afghan massacre inquiry...
5. Afghanistan: 'It's a war we just can't win, and there's no need for us to win it'