Israel spy scandal politician in running for CIA director
Fri Nov 16, 2012 4:52AM GMT
Marjan Asi,
Press TV, Washington
In light of the Petraeus scandal in Washington, a few candidates have
been suggested to replace him as CIA Director. One is a former
Congresswoman with questionable and controversial ties to Israel.
The Petraeus scandal continues to unfold like a story out of a drama.
Although more focus is being given to the affair itself, the question
of who will replace Petraeus remains.
One of a handful of options being volleyed around Washington is former
Congresswoman Jane Harman.
Harman served as a California Democratic Representative for several
years, from 1993-99 and again from 2001-2011. During her political
career, she made national headlines for her role in an Israeli spy
scandal.
The U.S. government had indicted two officials of the most powerful
Israel lobby in Washington, the American Israeli Public Affairs
Committee, on espionage charges for passing classified U.S. documents
on to Israel.
According to a 2006 Time Magazine report, Harman agreed to lobby the
Justice Department to reduce the espionage charges on the two men and
in return, AIPAC would lobby for Harman to Chair the House
Intelligence Committee in Congress.
Time also reported that the government was investigating Harman in
this affair. Although Harman, the FBI and the Justice Department have
denied the investigation, a 2009 article by Congressional Quarterly
reaffirmed the story, stating the National Security Agency wiretapped
Harman telling an Israeli agent she would lobby the Justice Department
for AIPAC on the espionage charges.
The two men were fired from AIPAC and the espionage charges against
them were subsequently dropped.
Harman resigned from Congress in 2011 and currently heads the Woodrow
Wilson International Center for Scholars, one of the most powerful
think tanks in the world. Harman is a regular speaker at AIPAC events
and receives contributions from the lobby.
Michael Morell is currently serving as acting Director of the CIA and
is another possible candidate for the position.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Fri Nov 16, 2012 4:52AM GMT
Marjan Asi,
Press TV, Washington
In light of the Petraeus scandal in Washington, a few candidates have
been suggested to replace him as CIA Director. One is a former
Congresswoman with questionable and controversial ties to Israel.
The Petraeus scandal continues to unfold like a story out of a drama.
Although more focus is being given to the affair itself, the question
of who will replace Petraeus remains.
One of a handful of options being volleyed around Washington is former
Congresswoman Jane Harman.
Harman served as a California Democratic Representative for several
years, from 1993-99 and again from 2001-2011. During her political
career, she made national headlines for her role in an Israeli spy
scandal.
The U.S. government had indicted two officials of the most powerful
Israel lobby in Washington, the American Israeli Public Affairs
Committee, on espionage charges for passing classified U.S. documents
on to Israel.
According to a 2006 Time Magazine report, Harman agreed to lobby the
Justice Department to reduce the espionage charges on the two men and
in return, AIPAC would lobby for Harman to Chair the House
Intelligence Committee in Congress.
Time also reported that the government was investigating Harman in
this affair. Although Harman, the FBI and the Justice Department have
denied the investigation, a 2009 article by Congressional Quarterly
reaffirmed the story, stating the National Security Agency wiretapped
Harman telling an Israeli agent she would lobby the Justice Department
for AIPAC on the espionage charges.
The two men were fired from AIPAC and the espionage charges against
them were subsequently dropped.
Harman resigned from Congress in 2011 and currently heads the Woodrow
Wilson International Center for Scholars, one of the most powerful
think tanks in the world. Harman is a regular speaker at AIPAC events
and receives contributions from the lobby.
Michael Morell is currently serving as acting Director of the CIA and
is another possible candidate for the position.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress