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Italy Allowed Palestinian Terror Groups to Roam Free

[Ynet News] Menahem Gantz - The Italian government allowed Palestinian terror organizations to act freely within its territory in the 1970s and 80s in exchange for their commitment to refrain from targeting Italians. Former Italian President Francesco Cossiga told Corriere della Sera, "I always knew...about the existence of an agreement based on 'don't harm me and I won't harm you' between the Italian Republic and organizations such as the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) and the PLO." According to Cossiga, the agreement was approved and directed by former Italian Premier Aldo Moro. "According to the deal, the Palestinian organizations could establish bases in Italy, enjoyed freedom of movement when entering and exiting the country, and could move around without undergoing mandatory security checks because they were protected by the secret service," Cossiga explained. "During my time as interior minister I learned that PLO people were holding heavy artillery in their homes and protected by diplomatic immunity as representatives of the Arab League." The agreement did not always run smoothly. On August 2, 1980, an explosion shook Bologna's train station; 85 people were killed and 200 were injured. Cossiga believes the explosion may have been due to a Palestinian "work accident."
2008-08-18 01:00:00
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