Intelligence

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QUESTION: UP has a story that says Israel is mounting a major assassination program abroad. They've been notably unsuccessful on occasion in four or five countries. My question is: What is the U.S. view of Israel suddenly deciding to increase the funding for Mossad just for this purpose? The story had very good sources, both here and in Israel. And I'm wondering --

MR. BOUCHER: I'm not going to evaluate the story. I'm not going to evaluate the sources. I'm not going to evaluate the intentions of the Israelis.

QUESTION: Do you agree with their decision, though? And possibly --

MR. BOUCHER: What decision? Go ask the Israelis. If they tell you what they've decided to do, I will comment then.

QUESTION: If I might, Richard. The story actually indicates that Israel is prepared to undertake targeted killings in the United States and quotes U.S. officials as being aware of this policy.

MR. BOUCHER: Again, I'm not going to try to react to a whole bunch of anonymous sources in a speculative article.

QUESTION: Well, could you say whether the U.S. would be prepared to allow Israel to undertake targeted killings of potential terrorists in the United States?

MR. BOUCHER: If you show me something where the Israeli Government says that they are going to undertake targeted killings of terrorists in the United States, I will react at that time. I think our views on targeted killings in the region is well known. It has not changed. Our views of the importance of everybody in this country respecting U.S. law is very clear and well known. And I'm not going to try to speculate on something that anonymous sources of that kind have put in the press.

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