Post by RPankn on Dec 13, 2005 21:39:26 GMT -5
Oh boy, is this getting interesting. This is the case, separate from Plame, where Fitzgerald subpoenaed Miller's phone records after she tipped off Grover Norquist and his lackeys to an impending FBI raid of an al-CIA/Mossad-a "Islamic charity" fundraising front being run by Norquist. Unfortunately, the 7th Circuit -- there they are again -- quashed the subpoena.
N.Y. Times reporter named in court filing
December 13, 2005
BY ANNIE SWEENEY Staff Reporter
An alleged fund-raiser for Hamas who claims a confession he gave the Israeli government was coerced during 1993 interrogations that were observed by Judith Miller named the former New York Times reporter in court filings Monday, questioning her credibility and professionalism.
Attorneys for Muhammed Salah, of Bridgeview, said two weeks ago they wrote a letter to Miller -- also recently embroiled in the White House leak investigation involving CIA operative Valerie Plame -- asking for information about the interrogation.
Miller has refused to cooperate, said Salah's attorney, Michael E. Deutsch.
Salah, along with Abdelhaleem Ashqar, of Alexandria, Va., are charged here with laundering millions of dollars in a 15-year conspiracy to fund Hamas. Hamas has taken credit for dozens of attacks abroad, including suicide bombings. Both have pleaded not guilty. [Just like the al-Arian trial, which I'm sure, there's no coincedence.]
'Swirl of controversy'
Salah's attorneys are trying to have his confession suppressed because of the alleged torture at the hands of Israeli authorities. In a written response, the U.S. government refers to a news reporter's "own observations" of an "interrogation session."
Deutsch responded by raising questions about Miller, whose reporting on the lead-up to the Iraq war -- including whether Saddam Hussein was amassing weapons of mass destruction -- has been widely criticized.
"Curiously, the government does not reveal the name of that news reporter,'' Salah's filing reads. "She is the infamous Judith Miller, who recently left her position at the New York Times amidst a swirl of controversy and claims of highly unprofessional and politically motivated conduct." [I wish someone would come out and say she's a neocon/Likud operative.]
Miller retired from the Times after spending 85 days in prison this year for refusing to testify in a U.S. government investigation into the leak of the identity of Plame.
'Special access'
Monday's court filing goes on to mention Miller's extraordinary clearance and access to the interrogations, which was arranged by the Israeli prime minister, according to court documents. Salah has asked for the government to provide written documents about what she witnessed. [Just like the "extraordinay clearance and access" she was given by Rumsfeld before the Iraq war.]
"Given the suspect circumstances under which Ms. Miller was allowed to observe Mr. Salah, and given her history of being 'too close to her sources,' defendant is entitled to broad disclosure of the facts and circumstances surrounding Ms. Miller's role in Mr. Salah's interrogation," the filing reads.
Deutsch added on Monday: "We're asking for the [U.S.] government to get the documents from Israel which document how this reporter was given special access, allegedly, to our client. We wonder whether or not she was working with the Israeli government at that time. Why was she given this special leave to go in there?"
Miller's attorney could not be reached for comment Monday, and a spokesman for U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald refused to comment.
asweeney@suntimes.com
www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-miller13.html
N.Y. Times reporter named in court filing
December 13, 2005
BY ANNIE SWEENEY Staff Reporter
An alleged fund-raiser for Hamas who claims a confession he gave the Israeli government was coerced during 1993 interrogations that were observed by Judith Miller named the former New York Times reporter in court filings Monday, questioning her credibility and professionalism.
Attorneys for Muhammed Salah, of Bridgeview, said two weeks ago they wrote a letter to Miller -- also recently embroiled in the White House leak investigation involving CIA operative Valerie Plame -- asking for information about the interrogation.
Miller has refused to cooperate, said Salah's attorney, Michael E. Deutsch.
Salah, along with Abdelhaleem Ashqar, of Alexandria, Va., are charged here with laundering millions of dollars in a 15-year conspiracy to fund Hamas. Hamas has taken credit for dozens of attacks abroad, including suicide bombings. Both have pleaded not guilty. [Just like the al-Arian trial, which I'm sure, there's no coincedence.]
'Swirl of controversy'
Salah's attorneys are trying to have his confession suppressed because of the alleged torture at the hands of Israeli authorities. In a written response, the U.S. government refers to a news reporter's "own observations" of an "interrogation session."
Deutsch responded by raising questions about Miller, whose reporting on the lead-up to the Iraq war -- including whether Saddam Hussein was amassing weapons of mass destruction -- has been widely criticized.
"Curiously, the government does not reveal the name of that news reporter,'' Salah's filing reads. "She is the infamous Judith Miller, who recently left her position at the New York Times amidst a swirl of controversy and claims of highly unprofessional and politically motivated conduct." [I wish someone would come out and say she's a neocon/Likud operative.]
Miller retired from the Times after spending 85 days in prison this year for refusing to testify in a U.S. government investigation into the leak of the identity of Plame.
'Special access'
Monday's court filing goes on to mention Miller's extraordinary clearance and access to the interrogations, which was arranged by the Israeli prime minister, according to court documents. Salah has asked for the government to provide written documents about what she witnessed. [Just like the "extraordinay clearance and access" she was given by Rumsfeld before the Iraq war.]
"Given the suspect circumstances under which Ms. Miller was allowed to observe Mr. Salah, and given her history of being 'too close to her sources,' defendant is entitled to broad disclosure of the facts and circumstances surrounding Ms. Miller's role in Mr. Salah's interrogation," the filing reads.
Deutsch added on Monday: "We're asking for the [U.S.] government to get the documents from Israel which document how this reporter was given special access, allegedly, to our client. We wonder whether or not she was working with the Israeli government at that time. Why was she given this special leave to go in there?"
Miller's attorney could not be reached for comment Monday, and a spokesman for U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald refused to comment.
asweeney@suntimes.com
www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-miller13.html