"In any case, the government, led by Giulio Andreotti, and the Christian Democrats, with the decisive support of the Italian Communist Party, decided to say no to the blackmail of the Red Brigades and Aldo Moro. It was the only way forward. [...] The very survival of the state was at stake. What would the Red Brigades have done if the government had given in to blackmail? They would have kidnapped the first Mr Rossi who came within their reach and started all over again. A downward spiral would have begun, leading only to the dissolution of the state and the victory of the terrorists."