DATE=2/26/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-227329
TITLE=ISRAELI SPIES (L ONLY)
BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN
DATELINE=GENEVA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
/// EDS: GRAPH FOUR OF THIS REPORT DUPLICATES PART OF THE
FOURTH GRAPH OF CR 2-227322, ISRAEL / MOSSAD (L) BY AL PESSIN
///
INTRO: SWISS AUTHORITIES SAY THEY ARE WAITING FOR ISRAEL TO
APOLOGIZE FOR CONDUCTING A SPYING MISSION IN THEIR COUNTRY. LISA
SCHLEIN IN GENEVA REPORTS THE SWISS ARE UPSET BY WHAT THEY
CONSIDER TO BE AN ABUSE OF THEIR SOVEREIGNTY BY A FOREIGN POWER.
TEXT: SWISS AUTHORITIES ARE NOT HIDING THEIR DISPLEASURE AT
WHAT THEY SEE AS A BREACH OF DIPLOMATIC ETIQUETTE.
THE SWISS SENT A LETTER OF PROTEST TO THE ISRAELI AMBASSADOR IN
BERN. IN COMMENTING ON THE CASE, A SWISS FOREIGN MINISTRY
SPOKESMAN SAID THE LEAST ISRAEL CAN DO IS APOLOGIZE QUICKLY. A
SENIOR FOREIGN MINISTRY OFFICIAL HAD EVEN HARSHER WORDS. HE
SAID, "THIS INCIDENT IS UNACCEPTABLE AND HAS A CHILLING EFFECT ON
RELATIONS BETWEEN FRIENDLY COUNTRIES."
ISRAELI EMBASSY OFFICIALS SO FAR, HAVE DECLINED TO COMMENT.
FIVE ISRAELI MEN WERE APPREHENDED LAST WEEK WHILE TRYING TO PLANT
LISTENING DEVICES IN THE BASEMENT OF A PRIVATE RESIDENCE. THEY
WERE CAUGHT AFTER THE LOCAL POLICE WERE TIPPED OFF BY A NEIGHBOR
WHO NOTICED TWO SUSPICIOUS MEN STANDING OUTSIDE A BUILDING IN THE
MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT.
THE SWISS FEDERAL PROSECUTOR, CARLA DEL PONTE HAS CONFIRMED THAT
ISRAEL'S SPY AGENCY, MOSSAD, WAS BEHIND THE BUNGLED BUGGING
(WIRETAPPING) OPERATION. SHE SAID THE TARGET OF THIS ESPIONAGE
MISSION WAS NOT A DIPLOMAT. BUT, A PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL FROM A
FOREIGN COUNTRY.
ONE ISRAELI SUSPECT IS IN CUSTODY. AND, SWISS POLICE NOW HAVE
ISSUED ARREST WARRANTS AGAINST THE FOUR OTHER ISRAELIS WHO THEY
HAD RELEASED LAST WEEK. THEY BELIEVE THE FOUR SUSPECTED SPIES
HAVE FLED THE COUNTRY.
LOCAL POLICE IN BERN SAY THEY LET THE FOUR GO BECAUSE, AT THE
TIME, THEY HAD NO REASON TO BELIEVE THEY MIGHT BE INVOLVED IN
AN ESPIONAGE CASE. THEY SAY THE FIFTH SUSPECT WAS PLACED UNDER
ARREST BECAUSE HE OR SHE WAS CARRYING, WHAT THEY CALL, SUSPICIOUS
OBJECTS. POLICE IN ZURICH ARE REPORTEDLY EXAMINING CONFISCATED
BUGGING EQUIPMENT USED IN THE OPERATION. (SIGNED)
NEB/LS/JWH/KL
26-Feb-98 11:19 AM EST (1619 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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