Achille Lauro Raises Panoply of Issues

On October 7, 1985, the hijacking of the Achille Lauro, an Italian cruise ship and the alleged murder of Mr. Leon Klinghoffer, a 69-year-old U.S. citizen confined to a wheelchair, by four Palestinians aboard the ship has produced an array of international enforcement and diplomatic issues.  It is alleged that the four hijackers were trying to make their way into Israel for an attack when they were discovered on the boat.  At one point the hijackers tried to land at Tartrus, but they were turned away by the Syrian Navy.