The Republican party continues to be attacked for its use of the Willie Horton case in 1988, but the issue of granting furloughs to convicted killers will not go away. Now terrorists are getting the Horton treatment. In 1985, a group of Palestinian gunmen hijacked the cruise ship Achille Lauro. Thanks to smart American action, the terrorists were apprehended trying to flee. The Italian government, however, demanded that they be handed over to Italy, on grounds that the ship was Italian. The Italians promptly released the mastermind, Abu Abbas, but did prosecute and jail four others. Only one remains in prison; the other three escaped — while on furlough.
The latest disappearance occurred at the end of last month. The escapee? The very man who dumped Leon Klinghoffer, a wheelchair-bound American, into the sea. This killer, serving a 30-year term, was out on a 12-day pass for ” good conduct.” Like his two partners, he decided not to return to prison.
Some speculate that the Italian government was happy to see the terrorists walk — in effect, that it freed them — so as to curry favor with Arab states. But authorities in Rome patiently explained that most prisoners on holiday return faithfully to their cells.
Years ago, Mrs. Klinghoffer confided to President Reagan that, when she faced the convicted men in Italy, she spat in their faces. Reading about these latest outrages makes one want to follow her example with all who furlough murderers.
