-Caveat Lector- August 31, 2004 Elul 14, 5764 Israel Time: 02:23 (GMT+3) Haaretz
Israel won't ask U.S. to clarify why official was being tailed By Nathan Guttman WASHINGTON - Larry Franklin, the Pentagon data analyst suspected of funneling classified documents to Israel through the Jewish lobby AIPAC, had been helping with the investigation for several weeks before the story broke in the media, the New York Times reported yesterday citing sources familiar with the case. So far, the details available point to Naor Gilon, political adviser at the Israeli embassy in Washington, as the FBI surveillance target that led investigators to Franklin. Israeli sources could not say yesterday why Gilon had been under surveillance, but Israel does not intend to seek clarifications or protest in the matter. "It's neither the first nor the last time diplomats have been tailed in this town," an Israeli official said yesterday. Another source said there is nothing unusual in the FBI monitoring meetings of diplomats, but said it's unlikely this was mundane surveillance, so it's possible there was suspicion of some kind about information reaching the Israeli embassy. Gilon knew Franklin and kept an ordinary working relationship with him as part of his job. The Israeli embassy declined comment on the affair yesterday and banned Gilon from talking to the media. An embassy official yesterday repeated the line that these are "groundless and vicious allegations." Embassy sources were worried reports on the affair could hamper Gilon's duties as the main official in charge of political ties to U.S. administration officials by making them wary of meeting him. Gilon's meetings with Franklin and other administration representatives have been described by the embassy as the daily routine of diplomats in that post. "It's exactly what all diplomats in Washington do, it's their job," an Israeli source said. A communique released by embassy officials said "as representatives of the state, we conduct an intensive dialogue on an array of topics with our colleagues in all branches of the administration. This dialogue takes place in a responsible, credible, professional, and completely transparent manner, as befits the nature of relations between Israel and the United States." Still, the question remains as to why Gilon was being watched. One possibility mentioned is that the FBI obtained information that administration documents were being leaked to Israel and wanted to track route of the leak. Another possibility is that elements opposed to Israeli policy tried to set up Gilon and Israel on false accusations. Gilon, who was on vacation for a family event in Israel, has returned to Washington and is back at work. Israeli sources said the embassy staff, Gilon included, will continue meeting as usual with administration and congressional representatives and with Jewish community leaders. The FBI has applied to neither Israel nor its U.S.-based representatives for any information on the affair and it has not come up in meetings with U.S. officials. Meanwhile, the America Israel Public Affairs Committee is also presenting a business as usual face. The powerful Jewish lobby noted with pride that all its events scheduled for the current Republican National Convention in New York are attracting capacity crowds. www.ctrl.org DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/">ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
