Italy's Complicity in Terrorism - The Case of Abul Abbas
the Palestinian TerroristApril 16, 2003
In 1985, Abul Abbas and his terrorist gang took over a cruise ship near
Egypt. They held hundreds of passengers at gunpoint demanding the release of
about 50 Palestinian terrorists from Israeli prisons. To illustrate their
sincerity, they shot to death a wheelchair bound man and threw him into the
ocean.
This was bad and it got worse.
The terrorist Abbas finally gave up to Egyptian authorities. Egypt then put
him on a plane bound for Tunisia, where the PLO had its headquarters. Not
wanting Abbas to escape, the U.S. forced the plane down in Sicily.
U.S. authorities were pleased that Abbas was in custody. To their shock, and
certainly to President Reagan's, the Italian authorities let him go because
there was insufficient evidence to hold or try him. Using his Iraqi passport
he left Italy.
Realizing their support for terrorism would become public and scrutinized,
Italy filed charges against Abbas a couple weeks after they let him go.
What a ruse and cover-up. What complicity in terror.
Abbas, in absentia, was convicted and sentenced to "life" in 1986. A
meaningless trial and conviction was enough to make the Italians feel better
about themselves. How convenient for Abbas and the Italian government.
The U.S. captured Abbas near Baghdad this month. He was living in Iraq
under the protection of the Saddam Hussein regime.
Now, the Italians want Abbas back in their custody to serve a "life term"
which really means little in Europe.
There is a very good possibility, he might not serve any time because if the
Italians get him back, they will likely let him ago... again.
It is said, past actions are a very good predictor of future actions. Which
means, after supporting terrorism in the past, Italy will most likely
support terrorism now.
