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SPYGATE: ORIGINS
Thread Four
The Italian Connection, Part I
SPYGATE: ORIGINS
Thread Four
The Italian Connection, Part I
2\
On the afternoon of October 7, 1985, four men stormed the dining room of the cruise ship Achille Lauro, firing gunshots over the heads of terrified passengers.
Chaos ensued.
On the afternoon of October 7, 1985, four men stormed the dining room of the cruise ship Achille Lauro, firing gunshots over the heads of terrified passengers.
Chaos ensued.
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The ship was just off the coast of Alexandria, Egypt.
Only 97 passengers were on board at the time; over 600 had disembarked for a bus trip to tour the Pyramids that morning. The pirates rounded the remaining passengers up and secured them inside the ship’s dining room.
The ship was just off the coast of Alexandria, Egypt.
Only 97 passengers were on board at the time; over 600 had disembarked for a bus trip to tour the Pyramids that morning. The pirates rounded the remaining passengers up and secured them inside the ship’s dining room.
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The 324 crew members were also taken hostage; however, they were allowed to carry on with their duties.
The pirates were able to maintain the facade that their numbers were much larger, thus discouraging the crew from fighting back.
The 324 crew members were also taken hostage; however, they were allowed to carry on with their duties.
The pirates were able to maintain the facade that their numbers were much larger, thus discouraging the crew from fighting back.
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The pirates demanded the captain take the ship to Tartus, Syria.
The pirates demanded the captain take the ship to Tartus, Syria.
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In Washington, the Terrorist Incident Working Group assembled to coordinate the US response.
The group included representatives of the White House National Security Council (NSC) staff, the State Dept, Dept of Defense, as well as various intel and law enforcement agencies.
In Washington, the Terrorist Incident Working Group assembled to coordinate the US response.
The group included representatives of the White House National Security Council (NSC) staff, the State Dept, Dept of Defense, as well as various intel and law enforcement agencies.
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The man responsible for organizing the meeting was the NSC’s deputy-director for political-military affairs, Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North.
The man responsible for organizing the meeting was the NSC’s deputy-director for political-military affairs, Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North.
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As the Achille Lauro approached the coast of Syria, the leader identified his team as members of the Palestine Liberation Front (PLF).
As the Achille Lauro approached the coast of Syria, the leader identified his team as members of the Palestine Liberation Front (PLF).
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The pirates demanded that Syria contact the Israeli government and request the release of 50 jailed Palestinians.
If Israel failed to comply, they would start executing the hostages.
The pirates demanded that Syria contact the Israeli government and request the release of 50 jailed Palestinians.
If Israel failed to comply, they would start executing the hostages.
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After consulting with the governments of the US and Italy (The Achille Lauro was an Italian ship), the Syrians did not respond to the pirates’ demands.
The first hostage chosen to die was an elderly, wheelchair bound Jewish-American tourist, Leon Klinghoffer.
After consulting with the governments of the US and Italy (The Achille Lauro was an Italian ship), the Syrians did not respond to the pirates’ demands.
The first hostage chosen to die was an elderly, wheelchair bound Jewish-American tourist, Leon Klinghoffer.
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Unbeknownst to the other hostages, Klinghoffer was shot twice and killed. The pirates then forced two crew members to throw his body overboard.
Unbeknownst to the other hostages, Klinghoffer was shot twice and killed. The pirates then forced two crew members to throw his body overboard.
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When the Syrians continuing to refuse negotiations, the pirates demanded the ship proceed to Libya.
At this point, the leader of the PLF, Abu Abbas, intervened. He called into an Arabic radio station in Cyprus and, eventually, he spoke to the pirates directly.
When the Syrians continuing to refuse negotiations, the pirates demanded the ship proceed to Libya.
At this point, the leader of the PLF, Abu Abbas, intervened. He called into an Arabic radio station in Cyprus and, eventually, he spoke to the pirates directly.
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Abbas encouraged his men to treat the hostages respectively and to cease with their demands.
Abbas encouraged his men to treat the hostages respectively and to cease with their demands.
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Why Abbas pulled the plug on the hijacking is a bit of a mystery.
He claimed the original plan was for the Palenstinian men to disembark at the port of Ashdod, Israel and target Israelis (“military targets” only, according to Abbas.)
Why Abbas pulled the plug on the hijacking is a bit of a mystery.
He claimed the original plan was for the Palenstinian men to disembark at the port of Ashdod, Israel and target Israelis (“military targets” only, according to Abbas.)
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The terrorists were hot-headed young men who panicked when they feared that a crew member saw their weapons during a room service visit, Abbas said.
The terrorists were hot-headed young men who panicked when they feared that a crew member saw their weapons during a room service visit, Abbas said.
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Regardless of the nature of the original mission, Abbas ordered the pirates to return to Egypt.
Once in Egyptian waters, negotiations began between the PLF and the governments of the US, Egypt, Italy, Israel, Germany, Great Britain.
Regardless of the nature of the original mission, Abbas ordered the pirates to return to Egypt.
Once in Egyptian waters, negotiations began between the PLF and the governments of the US, Egypt, Italy, Israel, Germany, Great Britain.
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To add to the confusion the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and its leader, Yasser Arafat, got involved as well.
To add to the confusion the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and its leader, Yasser Arafat, got involved as well.
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The PLF was a militant Palestenian faction whose leader, Abbas, hoped to undermine Arafat’s attempts to find a political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through negotiations.
The PLF was a militant Palestenian faction whose leader, Abbas, hoped to undermine Arafat’s attempts to find a political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through negotiations.
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Meanwhile, SEAL Team Six left Cyprus aboard an amphibious assault ship, heading toward Egyptian waters.
They were prepared to board the ship and kill the pirates.
Meanwhile, SEAL Team Six left Cyprus aboard an amphibious assault ship, heading toward Egyptian waters.
They were prepared to board the ship and kill the pirates.
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The SEAL Team operation was called off when a diplomatic solution was forged; the pirates would disembark the boat voluntarily.
There was a great jubilation that a potential massacre was avoided.
The SEAL Team operation was called off when a diplomatic solution was forged; the pirates would disembark the boat voluntarily.
There was a great jubilation that a potential massacre was avoided.
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There was one problem: no one in the multiple governments realized the pirates had murdered a passenger until after they had left the ship.
There was one problem: no one in the multiple governments realized the pirates had murdered a passenger until after they had left the ship.
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The Americans now wanted to capture the pirates and prosecute them for murder of an American citizen.
The Italians believed the Palestinians should be tried in Italy since the ship was Italian.
The Americans now wanted to capture the pirates and prosecute them for murder of an American citizen.
The Italians believed the Palestinians should be tried in Italy since the ship was Italian.
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Ollie North drafted a message for President Reagan to Egyptian president, Hosni Mubarak, demanding Egypt hand over the pirates to the US. If not to the US, then at least to Italy.
Ollie North drafted a message for President Reagan to Egyptian president, Hosni Mubarak, demanding Egypt hand over the pirates to the US. If not to the US, then at least to Italy.
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Mubarak responded with a lie - the men had left Egypt.
Both Israeli and American intelligence knew the pirates were still in Egypt and planned to leave on an EgyptAir jet to another Arabic country, most likely Tunis.
Mubarak responded with a lie - the men had left Egypt.
Both Israeli and American intelligence knew the pirates were still in Egypt and planned to leave on an EgyptAir jet to another Arabic country, most likely Tunis.
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North’s boss at the NSC, Admiral John Pointdexter, ran the idea of intercepting the plan up the chain of command.
North’s boss at the NSC, Admiral John Pointdexter, ran the idea of intercepting the plan up the chain of command.
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Reagan gave the plan the go-ahead. Pointdexter then tasked Vice Admiral Art Moreau with planning the intercept (you may notice a lot of naval personnel involved in the response. The possible reason will be addressed in a separate thread).
Reagan gave the plan the go-ahead. Pointdexter then tasked Vice Admiral Art Moreau with planning the intercept (you may notice a lot of naval personnel involved in the response. The possible reason will be addressed in a separate thread).
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The plan was for 4 of the Navy’s Tomcat fighter jets to force the plane to land at Sigonella Naval Air Station in Sicily. Navy SEAL Team Six would be awaiting the plane’s landing.
The plan was for 4 of the Navy’s Tomcat fighter jets to force the plane to land at Sigonella Naval Air Station in Sicily. Navy SEAL Team Six would be awaiting the plane’s landing.
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Now....someone had to tell the Italians. 😬
The operation was already underway and there was no time to go through the usual diplomatic channels.
Now....someone had to tell the Italians. 😬
The operation was already underway and there was no time to go through the usual diplomatic channels.
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The Prime Minister of Italy was the hard-nosed Sicilian socialist, Bettino Craxi.
No one in the US Situation Room could find him, much less speak to him.
The Prime Minister of Italy was the hard-nosed Sicilian socialist, Bettino Craxi.
No one in the US Situation Room could find him, much less speak to him.
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Ollie North knew exactly the man to call -- Michael Ledeen.
Ollie North knew exactly the man to call -- Michael Ledeen.
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It’s not entirely clear what Ledeen’s official position was in the government. In a previous thread, I noted that Ledeen was a full-time assistant to Secretary of State Alexander Haig.
By 1985, however, Haig was no longer a part of the Reagan administration.
It’s not entirely clear what Ledeen’s official position was in the government. In a previous thread, I noted that Ledeen was a full-time assistant to Secretary of State Alexander Haig.
By 1985, however, Haig was no longer a part of the Reagan administration.
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In interviews Ledeen said he was a “part-time consultant to the National Security Council on issues relating to terrorism…”
In interviews Ledeen said he was a “part-time consultant to the National Security Council on issues relating to terrorism…”
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Regardless, Ledeen spoke fluent Italian. Even better, he was a friend of Craxi’s.
Ledeen had numerous contacts within the Socialist International, including Craxi (more on the reasons why later).
Regardless, Ledeen spoke fluent Italian. Even better, he was a friend of Craxi’s.
Ledeen had numerous contacts within the Socialist International, including Craxi (more on the reasons why later).
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Ledeen called the Hotel Raphael in Rome, Craxi’s residence at the time, and spoke to one of the prime minister’s assistants. He did not cooperate.
Ledeen called the Hotel Raphael in Rome, Craxi’s residence at the time, and spoke to one of the prime minister’s assistants. He did not cooperate.
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According to Ledeen, he told the assistant, “Lives were at stake. If people die tonight because you refuse to let me talk to Craxi because he doesn’t want to be disturbed, you will find your picture on the front page of every newspaper in the world tomorrow morning.”
According to Ledeen, he told the assistant, “Lives were at stake. If people die tonight because you refuse to let me talk to Craxi because he doesn’t want to be disturbed, you will find your picture on the front page of every newspaper in the world tomorrow morning.”
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The assistant acquiesced and put Ledeen through to the prime minister.
After speaking to Ledeen, Craxi granted his permission for the plane to land on Italian soil.
The assistant acquiesced and put Ledeen through to the prime minister.
After speaking to Ledeen, Craxi granted his permission for the plane to land on Italian soil.
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When the Egyptian plane landed on the base, it was immediately surrounded by the American SEAL team.
When the Egyptian plane landed on the base, it was immediately surrounded by the American SEAL team.
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Not only were the four pirates on board, the leader of the PLF, Abu Abbas, was also on the plane.
Not only were the four pirates on board, the leader of the PLF, Abu Abbas, was also on the plane.
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The Palestinians were not immediately apprehended, however, because the plane and the SEAL team were surrounded by 300 armed Italians.
It was a standoff.
The Palestinians were not immediately apprehended, however, because the plane and the SEAL team were surrounded by 300 armed Italians.
It was a standoff.
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At this point, President Reagan and Prime Minister Craxi spoke directly for the first time.
Ledeen was their translator.
At this point, President Reagan and Prime Minister Craxi spoke directly for the first time.
Ledeen was their translator.
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Craxi claimed he was gladly turn the Palestinians over, except it was a legal matter now and out of his hands.
Craxi claimed he was gladly turn the Palestinians over, except it was a legal matter now and out of his hands.
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Reagan grudging acknowledge Craxi’s situation; however, he made it clear the US would seek extradition for all the Palestinians, including Abbas.
The Italians arrested the four Palestinians.
Reagan grudging acknowledge Craxi’s situation; however, he made it clear the US would seek extradition for all the Palestinians, including Abbas.
The Italians arrested the four Palestinians.
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After an intense legal battle in the Italian court system, it was determined that there wasn’t enough evidence to hold Abbas.
He was allowed to flee to Yugoslavia.
After an intense legal battle in the Italian court system, it was determined that there wasn’t enough evidence to hold Abbas.
He was allowed to flee to Yugoslavia.
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Abbas eventually settled in Iraq under the protection of Saddam Hussein.
Abbas eventually settled in Iraq under the protection of Saddam Hussein.
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The US continued to hunt Abbas.
In 1986, the CIA sent -- making his 4th appearance in this series -- Duane “Dewey” Clarridge to Baghdad.
The US continued to hunt Abbas.
In 1986, the CIA sent -- making his 4th appearance in this series -- Duane “Dewey” Clarridge to Baghdad.
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The Iraqis were receiving US military help against the Iranians at the time, so the CIA had some sway on the dictator.
The Iraqis were receiving US military help against the Iranians at the time, so the CIA had some sway on the dictator.
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According to Clarridge’s autobiography, he tried to convince the Iraqi foreign minister, Tariq Aziz, to allow the US to capture Abbas.
(The Iraqis simply handing over an ‘Arab brother’ was never discussed. It would have to appear to be an American operation).
According to Clarridge’s autobiography, he tried to convince the Iraqi foreign minister, Tariq Aziz, to allow the US to capture Abbas.
(The Iraqis simply handing over an ‘Arab brother’ was never discussed. It would have to appear to be an American operation).
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Clarridge was not able to talk directly to Saddam. The Iraqis gave him the run around and Clarridge left Iraq without his man.
Clarridge was not able to talk directly to Saddam. The Iraqis gave him the run around and Clarridge left Iraq without his man.
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A year later, the Italian government issued an arrest warrant for Abbas. He was sentenced to 5 life-terms, in absentia, for his role as the mastermind of the hijacking plot.
A year later, the Italian government issued an arrest warrant for Abbas. He was sentenced to 5 life-terms, in absentia, for his role as the mastermind of the hijacking plot.
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Abbas made claims of supporting a political solution; however, once the 2nd Intifada heated up in 2000, he was back to sending young men to die.
He never again achieved the notoriety he did as the mastermind of the Achille Lauro hijacking.
Abbas made claims of supporting a political solution; however, once the 2nd Intifada heated up in 2000, he was back to sending young men to die.
He never again achieved the notoriety he did as the mastermind of the Achille Lauro hijacking.
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I owe a lot of my understanding of the hijacking of the Achille Lauro to Julie Salamon's very good book.
I owe a lot of my understanding of the hijacking of the Achille Lauro to Julie Salamon's very good book.
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In Part II, we’ll take a closer look at the Italian connection and Spygate.
In Part II, we’ll take a closer look at the Italian connection and Spygate.
