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In 1978 the kidnapping and murder of former prime minister Aldo Moro troubled Italians. Italian Noir: The Story of Italian Crime Fiction, BBC 2010
Rome May 9th 1978: in the city centre police discover a Renault 4. Inside is the body of Aldo Moro the president of Italy’s Christian Democrat Party. An infamous crime had been committed against a high profile politician. A man who wanted to overcome a barrier in Italian society and share power with the Communist Party. The murder of Aldo Moro bore the signature of the extreme Left, the Red Brigades. But many wondered if the extreme right had not guided the murder weapon so as to block a political initiative which had begun inauspiciously six weeks earlier. Political Assassinations: Death in Rome: The Case of Aldo Moro
The head of the Lodge [P2] Licio Gelli was a militant anti-communist with long-standing links to the CIA. He was also one of Aldo Moro’s bitterest enemies. Moro wanted to fight this terror campaign by means of a broad alliance which would also bring the communists into the fold ... The shots were fired ... Gelli, head of the P2 lodge and working for the secret service, is reported to have said just afterwards, The hardest part has been done. ibid.
The next morning at 8:30 a radio station broadcast the news that Aldo Moro had been kidnapped half an hour before it actually happened. And the secret services also knew something. ibid.
Moro knew there would be strong opposition to his policy. But he could see no alternative to closer relations with the communists. The Communist Party had become the second most powerful political force in the country. It was demanding indispensable social reforms, and to do so was looking for closer links with the Christian Democrats under Aldo Moro. But those opposed to this strategy did not remain inactive. ibid.
They didn’t even respect the murdered man’s last wishes. In a pompous state ceremony they displayed their grief for the man they did not wish to save. ibid.
On March 16th 1978 the Italian left-wing terrorists kidnapped the former Italian prime minister Mr Aldo Moro. On that day the Italian parliament was about to debate the inclusion of the Italian Communist Party in a government of national unity for the first time since 1948. Aldo Moro had long believed that this was the only solution for political stability in Italy. Timewatch: Operation Gladio: Foot Soldiers, BBC 1992
I cannot accept the disgraceful and ungrateful decision taken by the Christian Democratic Party. I will not absolve nor will I exonerate any one of their responsibility. No political or moral reason impels me to do so. My own cry joins that of my family, themselves wounded to death. And I hope that their cry will be heard independently. I don’t believe the Christian Democratic Party has solved their problems by liquidating Moro. Because of this clear incompatibility, I request that at my funeral there be no-one present representing the Italian state and no-one from the political party. I ask to be accompanied by the few people who really wished me well. Those therefore that are worthy of accompanying me with their prayers and with their love. Kind regards, Aldo Moro. Aldo Moro letter
In 1947 one Western country in particular popped on the anti-communist radar: Italy ... The CIA continued to meddle in Italian elections for decades ... The US along with NATO went far further: brutally murdering Italy’s most popular prime minister – Aldo Moro ... Conspiracy: Cold War Fears, Channel 5 2015
Gladio was so secret that their existence was only revealed as a result of a judicial enquiry in 1990. ibid.
On March 16th 1978 Italy’s former prime minister Aldo Moro was kidnapped in a sophisticated military-style operation. His three bodyguards were killed during the assault. The attacks were blamed on the Red Brigades, a militant communist group. Moro had been attempting to create a power-sharing arrangement by which the Italian Community Party (PCI) would be allowed to participate in operations of government with the Christian Democrats. His compromise was fiercely opposed by the United States. According to Moro’s widow, he was told at a meeting with Henry Kissinger, ‘You must abandon your policy of bringing all the political forces in your country into direct collaboration … or you will pay dearly for it.’ Moro was murdered shortly after his kidnapping. Counter-Intelligence: Shining a Light on Black Operations s1e3: The Strategy of Tension, 2013
Many believe that the CIA continued to meddle in Italian elections for decades, making sure Italy was always governed by a right of centre government. But some historians claim that wasn’t the end of interference in Italian politics. They claim that after three decades of anti-communist parties in Italy, the US along with Nato went far further, brutally murdering Italy’s popular prime minister Aldo Moro. Conspiracy s1e6: The Cold War Files
They’ve just kidnapped the Honorable Moro, and slaughtered his police escort. Romanzo Criminale s1e4, boss to detective, Sky Cinema 2008
The Honourable Moro had just left his home on his way to Parliament, to give his vote of confidence to the new Andreotti Government, when he was blocked by a gang of terrorists, presumably members of the Red Brigade. ibid. radio news
The sixth communique from the RB is a spine-chilling announcement. The terrorists claim the interrogation is now over, and that Aldo Moro is to be sentenced to death. Romanzo Criminale s1e5, news report
The body of the Honorable Aldo Moro has been found in Via Caetani in Rome in the boot of a red Renault 4. The discovery was made after a phone call from the Red Brigades. Romanzo Criminale s1e6
Investigations continue all over Italy into the murder of DC President, Aldo Moro. Romanzo Criminale s1e7, radio news
It has to be an armed struggle. ibid. Sandra, Red Brigade radio broadcast