Italian politician, born in 1916. Was an important
political figure: helped draft Italy's
constitution after
World War 2; held several
cabinet posts and was
secretary
of the
Christian Democrats. Although that
party was
decidedly
anti-communist, he helped give the
Communist
party in Italy a greater voice, and was overcoming the
resistance of his party to working with the Communists.
He was captured by the Red Brigade in May of 1978, and
was killed by them two months later.
There is still much controversy surrounding his capture
and death, the inability of the government to find and
free him, and the possibility that both the Italian and American governments orchestrated the affair.