-Caveat Lector- <http://www.jpost.com/> Barak changes his story on Rich pardon By Herb Keinon JERUSALEM (March 16) - Former prime minister Ehud Barak has changed his story regarding the number of times he spoke to US president Bill Clinton about fugitive billionaire Marc Rich, adding yet another twist to the Rich pardon saga, The Jerusalem Post has learned. Barak's office is now saying that the two men spoke by phone about Rich "approximately three times" during the waning months of Clinton's presidency, and not on only one occasion as Barak's spokesmen had consistently maintained until now. The change of story comes as Barak is awaiting questions sent to him by the US House Government Reform Committee, which is investigating the matter, last weekend. A source close to Barak said that in one of these discussions, Clinton brought up Rich, and that at no time in any of the conversations did Barak ask for a pardon. Rather, according to the source, Barak said that he understood that the issue was on Clinton's agenda and that he wanted Clinton to know that Rich was involved in numerous philanthropic and humanitarian projects in Israel. In addition to contributing some $100 million to various Israeli charities, Rich also played a role in the rescue of Ethiopian and Yemenite Jewry. The source said that Barak's office was "surprised" that Clinton aides told the congressional committee that Barak's involvement played a key role in the decision to grant the pardon, since each time the topic arose, it was brought up in a passing manner. "Barak, was much more forceful in asking for a pardon for Jonathan Pollard, and Clinton did not grant him one," the source said. He said that Clinton and Barak held a number of intense telephone conversations in the final weeks of Clinton's presidency and that the Rich pardon never figured predominantly in any of them. Clinton aides told lawmakers that Barak's support of Rich's petition was key to its success and that Barak spoke to the Clinton about it as many as four times. This version of how many times the two men talked was at odds with what Barak's spokesman were saying at the time - that the leaders spoke about the matter only once. This discrepancy was one of the reasons the committee decided to send questions to Barak. Committee spokeswoman Josie Duckett said earlier this week that the questions that were sent to Barak ask him when he discussed the prospects of Rich's pardon with Clinton, how many times, and what he said. A source close to Barak said that he has not yet received the questions, but will answer them when they arrive. He added that those close to Barak are somewhat bewildered by the whole questioning process, since they know that the conversations were taped by the White House and that if the committee wants to know exactly what was said, and in what context, it could easily find out by listening to the tapes. The source said that Barak's office did not tape the conversations. Explaining the change in Barak's version of how many times he spoke to Clinton about Rich, he said that, once it became clear that the story was not disappearing, and as the number of inquires on the matter increased, Barak's staff did a "more thorough" check of records in the office to determine more precisely how many times the issue came up. The source could not confirm testimony Clinton aides gave the committee to the effect that the two men spoke about the matter on January 19, the day before the pardon was granted. Rich fled the US in 1983 rather than face racketeering and other criminal charges. His ex-wife, songwriter Denise Rich, contributed $450,000 to Clinton's presidential library foundation, and Republicans want to know whether there was a money-for-pardons deal. Clinton strenuously denies any quid pro quo and has said publicly that his decision to pardon Rich was influenced "profoundly" by Israel. ================================================================= Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh, YHVH, TZEVAOT FROM THE DESK OF: *Michael Spitzer* <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Best Way To Destroy Enemies Is To Change Them To Friends ================================================================= <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance�not soap-boxing�please! 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