Italian Ingenuity in Crisis: The Achille Lauro Incident

In the twilight of October 7, 1985, an incident that would become a hallmark of Italian diplomatic maneuvering unfolded. The Achille Lauro, a cruise ship belonging to a Neapolitan fleet, was hijacked off the Egyptian coast by a Fatah Revolutionary Council commando. This act led to the tragic murder of American Jewish passenger Leon Klinghoffer and resulted in two days of hostages being held captive on board. Eugenio Scalfari’s editorial from October 13, 1985, published in “la Repubblica,” delves into the intense negotiations between Rome and Washington regarding the fate of Palestinian terrorists, culminating in what is known as the Sigonella Crisis.

The incident saw Italy navigating a precarious path between international expectations and national interests. Italian Ambassador Migliuolo’s revelation to Paolo Guzzanti about finding “an inghippo” — an ingenious solution — highlights the Italian approach to this diplomatic dilemma. This term, embodying cleverness and resourcefulness, became synonymous with Italy’s handling of the crisis.

The saga involved a complex interplay of international relations, as evidenced by the subsequent actions taken at Sigonella Air Base in Sicily. Here, a commandeered Egyptian airliner forced down after harboring the terrorists was met with tension between Italian carabinieri and American soldiers from the Delta Force, narrowly avoiding bloodshed.

Amidst this high-stakes environment, Italy faced significant pressure from the United States to extradite Abu Abbas, leader of the Revolutionary Council, charged with acts of piracy and murder. However, in a move that exemplified their tactical ingenuity, Italian leaders Giulio Andreotti and Bettino Craxi orchestrated an alternative solution. They facilitated the terrorists’ escape to Rome under diplomatic immunity via an Egyptian cultural institute, cleverly sidestepping direct extradition.

The fallout from these decisions was immediate and far-reaching. Relations with Israel, Egypt, and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) were strained, but perhaps most critically, a diplomatic rift emerged between Italy and the United States. The Italian approach drew both criticism and admiration for its audaciousness, earning Scalfari’s critique as “The Masterpiece of Ingenuity.”

This incident remains emblematic of Italian diplomacy’s nuanced dance with ingenuity, where strategic subtlety often paves the way through international crises.

For more insights into this historical episode, read the full article at la Repubblica