Posted by D. Cupples | The Associated Press reported:
"Two former American Israel Public Affairs Committee lobbyists [are] accused of passing classified information to an Israeli official and the press. They argue, however, that the U.S. regularly uses the pro-Israel group to send back-channel communications to others, and they say Rice can verify that unofficial but sanctioned role.
"Lobbyists Steven Rosen and Keith Weissman subpoenaed [Secretary of State Condoleezza] Rice, National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley, Deputy National Security Adviser Elliott Abrams and a dozen others to testify.
"Prosecutors unsuccessfully challenged the subpoenas. If the officials ultimately testify, the trial in federal court in suburban Alexandria, Va. could offer a behind-the-scenes look at the way U.S. foreign policy is crafted.
"The lobbyists are accused of receiving classified information from a now-convicted Pentagon official and relaying it to an Israeli official and the press...."
Several questions come to mind....
First, why has our nation's foreign policy been conducted through back channels? Can't this Administration do anything the straight-and-narrow way?
Second, a prosecutor's primary job is to pursue justice -- even when it means letting innocent defendants go free (not that I'm saying that the two lobbyists are innocent). Why did the prosecutors challenge subpoenas that are integral to the defendants' defense?
Third, if the judge quashes the subpoenas (and the defendants lose their defense), won't the case simply be dismissed?
Fourth, surely the prosecutors knew at some point that the defendants' case would come down their word against that of officials such as Secretary Rice -- and that "national secrets" would be involved. So, why did prosecutors pursue this case to this point?
Memeorandum has other bloggers' reactions.
Other BN-Politics Posts:
* Oversight Hearing: Rice Evasive, Republicans Don't Want Probe
* PBS on Cheney's Law: Turning a President into a King
* State Dept.'s Odd & Untimely Reactions to Blackwater Scandals
* State Dept. Staff Threatened for Cooperating with Congress re: Blackwater
* Inspector General Blocked Investigations re: Waste and Fraud?
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