"Francesco Cossiga, 82; led Italy in era of conflict and terrorism" by Alessandra Rizzo, Associated Press | August 19, 2010
ROME — Veteran politician Francesco Cossiga, who led Italy’s fight against domestic terrorism in the 1970s and 1980s, but who resigned after failing to save the life of a politician kidnapped by the Red Brigades, died Tuesday. He was 82.
Mr. Cossiga had been hospitalized since last week with heart and respiratory problems.
He declared himself “politically dead’’ in 1978 after the Red Brigades leftist terrorist group assassinated his mentor and friend Aldo Moro, the leader of the Christian Democrats and a former premier, two months after kidnapping him.
But Mr. Cossiga went on to lead a vigorous political life for several more years, including as prime minister and president of the republic, Italy’s highest office.
As president in the mid-1980s, he used the largely ceremonial, head-of-state role to publicly lambaste Parliament and the judiciary in what some saw as an effort to spur reform in an increasingly inefficient, moribund postwar system of government by revolving-door coalition.
Often accused of harboring political secrets, Mr. Cossiga, a staunch US ally, eventually admitted involvement in a shady Cold War-era, anti-Communist network known as Gladio.
Mr. Cossiga was also premier in 1980 when an Italian domestic jetliner exploded in flight and crashed near the island of Ustica, a case that was never resolved.
Various nicknames marked the stages of Mr. Cossiga’s political career....
The turning point of his career came when he was made interior minister by Premier Moro. As the official in charge of state police forces, he was at the helm of the state’s fight against the terror that was bloodying Italy with shootings and bombings. He oversaw a reform of public security forces and organized antiterrorism departments.
In 1978, Mr. Cossiga played a key role during one of the most dramatic moments in Italy’s recent history when the Red Brigades kidnapped Moro and held the statesman in hide-outs....
Calls for his resignation increased after disclosures about Gladio, a guerrilla network coordinated by NATO across Europe to organize resistance in the event of a Warsaw Pact invasion. In Italy, there was speculation of Gladio’s links to a series of unsolved right-wing terrorist attacks in the 1960s and 1970s....
More than just "speculation," MSM!
Related: Prop 201: Anatomy of a Black-Op and Cover-Up
Yeah, as it turns out "terrorism" is a GOVERNMENT-CREATED, FUNDED, and DIRECTED enterprise!
Mr. Cossiga remained vocal for years, even as his clout diminished....
--more--"Related: Bloomberg Cossiga obituary mentions his 9/11 truth statement
The Globe's did not.
"In recent years, Cossiga has been known to make controversial statements about Italian and international politics. In 2007, Cossiga said the 2001 terrorist attacks on New York’s Twin Towers had been organized by the Central Intelligence Agency, Israel’s Mossad and the “Zionist world” to justify the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan."
I posted it for you because Bloomberg yanked the piece off the web.
I wish I could say I was surprised.
"Former President of Italy: 9/11 was an Inside Job
On November 30th, the former President of Italy, Francesco Cossiga, wrote in Italy's largest newspaper:
[Bin Laden supposedly confessed] to the Qaeda September [attack] to the two towers in New York [claiming to be] the author of the attack of the 11, while all the [intelligence services] of America and Europe ... now know well that the disastrous attack has been planned and realized from the CIA American and the Mossad with the aid of the Zionist world in order to put under accusation the Arabic Countries and in order to induce the western powers to take part ... in Iraq [and] Afghanistan.
Mr. Cossiga joins a very long list of top military leaders, intelligence professionals, scientists, structural engineers, architects, members of Congress, 9/11 Commissioners, legal scholars, heroic first responders, family members of 9/11 victims and psychiatrists who question the government's version of 9/11.
The above is a rough translation using Babelfish. Someone who speaks fluent Italian will be able produce a much more accurate translation.
Mr. Cossiga previously stated, in 2001:
The mastermind of the attack must have been a “sophisticated mind, provided with ample means not only to recruit fanatic kamikazes, but also highly specialized personnel. I add one thing: it could not be accomplished without infiltrations in the radar and flight security personnel.” (p. 36-37)Note: Criticizing Zionism, as Mr. Cossiga does, is not the same as being anti-semitic. See this, this and this.
--MORE--"
Also see: Alfredo Aiello, 82; never forgot native Italy despite his success
