Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=4/16/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=U-S / Iraq / Abbas (S)

NUMBER=2-302295

BYLINE=David Gollust

DATELINE=State Department

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Here in Washington, officials are citing the capture by U-S forces in Iraq of wanted Palestinian terrorist Abu Abbas as further evidence of ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein's links to terrorism. The State Department is rejecting Palestinian claims Abu Abbas had immunity from prosecution under a 1995 accord with Israel. V-O-A's David Gollust reports from the State Department.

TEXT: The Bush administration is hailing the capture of Abu Abbas and says it is intent on seeing him face justice for planning the 1985 hijacking of the Italian cruise liner Achille Lauro that included the notorious murder of wheelchair-bound American tourist Leon Klinghoffer.

State Department spokesman Philip Reeker says U-S authorities are examining options for dealing with Abu Abbas, including Italy's call that he be extradited there to serve the five life prison terms to which he was sentenced in absentia a year after the hijacking. But he flatly rejected a Palestinian claim that he is exempt from punishment under an interim peace accord with Israel signed in Washington in 1995.

/// REEKER ACTUALITY ///

The United States is not a party to that or any amnesty arrangements regarding Abu Abbas.

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The leader of a radical faction of the P-L-O, Abu Abbas is believed to have spent most of the past 17 years in Iraq with the knowledge of the Saddam Hussein regime. (Signed)

NEB/DAG/RH/PT