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----- Original Message ----- From: Karen Lee Wald <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, November 28, 2001 10:40 PM Subject: Otto Reich on the way out -- for terrorist links??? The Guardian U.K. Bush appointee linked to terrorism Diplomat tied to anti-Cuba violence Duncan Campbell in Los Angeles Wednesday November 28, 2001 The Guardian One of George Bush's key choices for a major diplomatic role in his administration is almost certain now not to be appointed - because of his links with terrorism. Otto Reich, a Cuban exile, was nominated by the US president this year as under secretary of state for the western hemisphere. This week a source for the Senate foreign relations committee, which has to confirm the appointment, said that Mr Reich's chances of being confirmed were now almost zero. He was already a controversial choice because in 1987, in his previous government role as director the office of public diplomacy, he had been investigated by the comptroller general who found that he had "engaged in prohibited, covert propaganda activities" on behalf of the Nicaraguan Contras then engaged in a guerrilla war against the elected Sandinista government. Mr Reich's nomination was attacked by the former US ambassador to El Salvador, Robert White, who said: "He was part of that team that put into being a policy that was illegal." But it is Mr Reich's relationship with another Cuban American, Orlando Bosch, which now seems certain to derail his appointment. Bosch was first arrested in 1968 for firing on a tanker docked in Miami on the grounds that it was trading with Cuba. He was charged with conspiracy to damage and destroy planes and ships bound for Cuba and jailed for 10 years. Released after four years he went to Venezuela and was arrested there in 1976 after a Cuban plane had been destroyed by a bomb with the loss of 73 lives. He was acquitted and Mr Reich then attempted to help him obtain a US visa. Turning down the request for the visa, Joe Whitley, the associate attorney general, wrote: "The United States cannot tolerate the inherent inhumanity of terrorism as a way of settling disputes. Appeasement of those who use force will only breed more terrorists. We must look on terrorism as a universal evil, even if it is directed toward those with whom we have no political sympathy." Undeterred, Bosch illegally entered the US. In 1990, Bosch was granted a pardon by President George Bush Sr and he still lives in Florida. When Mr Reich was asked by the Senate foreign relations committee if he did not consider Bosch to be a terrorist, he replied: "I do not have sufficient knowledge of Mr Bosch's criminal activities or record of convictions to pass judgment on his legal status." But in the wake of September 11, Mr Reich's position has been deemed untenable as the administration has made it clear that it disapproves of terrorism in all its forms. Having a senior diplomat linked to a man convicted of terrorist offences would seriously undermine such a stance. Yesterday, a Senate foreign relations committee source said that Reich's name had now been sent back to the White House as being unacceptable. The source indicated that Democrat senators on the committee have asked for another name to be submitted. Guardian Unlimited � Guardian Newspapers Limited 2001 ------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------ Courtesy of: The Law Office of Jose Pertierra 1010 Vermont Avenue, NW #620 Washington, DC 20005 202 783 6666 [EMAIL PROTECTED] ------------------------------------------------ ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: [email protected] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://TOPICA.COM/u/?a84x2u.a9WB2D Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
