World Notes TERRORISM

Shielded by two bulletproof glass partitions, Defendant Mohammed Ali Hammadi rose to his feet last week to read a statement that startled spectators in the Frankfurt courtroom. The Lebanese terrorist confessed to participating in the 1985 hijacking of a TWA airliner to Beirut but denied that he murdered one of the plane's passengers, U.S. Navy Diver Robert Stethem. "I pleaded against the killing," claimed Hammadi, who said his partner had shot Stethem.

Speculation arose that Hammadi's confession was part of a maneuver by Iran that could free West German Rudolf Cordes, one of 16 foreign hostages believed to be held in Beirut by groups like the pro-Iranian Hizballah. Most experts doubted, however, that West Germany would agree to a Hammadi-Cordes swap. At the same time, a West German intelligence source contends that Iran ordered Hammadi's confession to gain Bonn's support during upcoming peace negotiations with Iraq. For more intrigue, tune in when the trial resumes next month.