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| Op 3 augustus 1990, following a parliamentary inquiry into terrorism in Italy, admits Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti the existence of a stay-behind network. This organization, which was created in the 1950s, operates under the name “Gladio” and is connected to other stay-behind networks in Western Europe, including Belgium. | On 3rd August 1990, following a parliamentary investigation on terrorism in Italy, Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti acknowledged the existence of a stay-behind network. The organisation, which had been established in the 1950s, was operating under the name “Gladio” and fostered links with other stay-behind networks in Western Europe, including Belgium. | The 3 august 1990, on the occasion of a parliamentary inquiry into terrorism in Italy, Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti acknowledges the existence of a stay-behind network. This organization, created in the years 1950, operates under the name “Gladio” and maintains contacts with other stay-behind networks in Western Europe, of which in Belgium. |
| The Belgian Minister of Defence, Guy Coëme, is asked to provide text and explanation about an international meeting of this network organization, the end of October 1990 took place in Brussels. That same day, the Minister summons the chief of the intelligence service of the army and the chief of SDRA VIII to inform themselves. Although until November 1990 nobody in Belgium has ever heard of “Gladio” and the Belgian stay-behind network operated independently of the network in Italy, SDRA VIII becomes the center of a media frenzy and conspiracy theories linking the secret network to the terrorist attacks committed in Belgium in the 1980s (Gang of Nivelles, CCC, …). Op 20 december 1990 the Government decides to abolish the clandestine network and to launch a parliamentary inquiry. | Then Belgian Minister of Defence Guy Coëme was asked to provide detailed explanations about an international meeting of these networks that had taken place in Brussels late October 1990. The same day, the minister convened the head of the military intelligence agency and the head of SDRA VIII in order to obtain more information. Even though no-one had heard of Gladio before November 1990 and even though the Belgian stay-behind network performed its activities in full independence from the Italian organisation, SDRA VIII found itself in the midst of a media storm and conspiracy theories that linked the secret network to the terrorist attacks perpetrated in Belgium in the 1980s (Brabant killers, CCC, etc.). On 20 December 1990, the government decided to dissolve the underground network and to launch a parliamentary investigation. | The Belgian Minister of Defense, Guy Coëme, is requested to provide a detailed explanation of an international meeting of these networks which took place at the end of October 1990 in Brussels. The same day, the minister summons the head of the military intelligence service and the head of the SDRA VIII in order to obtain more information. Although no one heard of Gladio until November 1990 and that the Belgian stay-behind network operates completely independently of the Italian network, ARDS VIII finds itself in the eye of a media storm and is the subject of conspiracy theories that establish links between the secret network and terrorist attacks committed in the years 1980 in Belgium (brabant killers, CCC, etc.). The 20 December 1990, the government decides to dissolve the clandestine network and set up a parliamentary inquiry. |
| A link to possible terrorist attacks is never proven and the identities of the agents are never revealed. | The link with potential terrorist attacks has never been proven and the agents’ identities have never been disclosed. | The links with potential terrorist attacks have never been proven and the identity of the agents never revealed.. |