Dr. Alexander von Paleske —– 22.6. 2013 —–
Es ist nahezu unfassbar, was die britische Zeitung Guardian aufgrund von Informationen des Ex- US-National Security Agency (NSA) Mitarbeiters Edward Snowden heute berichtete:

Screenshot: Dr. v. Paleske

Das britische Government Communications Headquarter (GCHQ) scannte jeden Tag bis zu 600 Millionen Communications.

GCHQ ….. 600 Millionen Communications täglich
Screenshot: Dr. v. Paleske

Also von E-mails über SMS, Instant Messages, Telefon und Skype alles, was an Informationen über die nationalen und internationalen Glasfaserkabel lief.

Karte siehe hier

Und, wie praktisch, man sass ja an einer günstigen Stelle, denn viele dieser Unterwasserkabel gehen im Vereinigten Königreich „an Land“.Ein Knotenpunkt im internationalen Datenverkehr also.

Vorbei sind längst die Zeiten, wo ein Knacken in der Telefonleitung anzeigte, dass hier jemand mithörte, und wo man einen Beamten zum Abhören einer Telefonleitung brauchte.

Natürlich wurde mit freundlicher Unterstützung der US National Security Agency gescannt, und natürlich liess man diese Datenströme nicht nur an sich vorbeiziehen, man speicherte auch ordentlich.

Codename Tempora
Das Ganze lief unter dem Codenamen „Tempora“

Die gesetzlichen Grundlagen hatte die konservative Regierung des Vereinigten Königreichs im Jahre 2012 geschaffen.

Ein früherer Gesetzesvorstoss der Labour-Regierung war seinerzeit gescheitert – auch am Widerstand der Konservativen, die ihn wieder einbrachten.

Nicht nur Terroristen
Die Frage, die sich hier stellt, ist ganz einfach: Ging es hier um eine Überwachung, um mögliche Terroristen oder Schwerkriminelle herauszufischen, wie bei einer Rasterfahndung, oder ging und geht es weit darüber hinaus um massive Eingriffe in die Privatsphäre möglichst vieler Bürger des eigenen Landes, und weit darüber hinaus.

Angesichts der unvorstellbaren Datenmenge, gescannt aber auch gespeichert, geht es hier um letzteres: Um Totalüberwachung und mehr noch, um Profiling, um die Herstellung möglichst vieler Personen-Profile.

Der Zugang zu Google und sozialen Netzwerken wie Facebook ist zwar dafür sehr nützlich, aber keineswegs ausreichend für eine Totalerfassung, und vor allem auch Kategorisierung.

Jedermann
Über jeden Bürger, der sich irgendwie kommunikativ betätigt, und das tut ja eigentlich jeder, auch wenn er selbst nicht im Internet aktiv ist, lässt sich mit ausreichenden Daten nicht etwa nur ein Bewegungsprofil, also wo er sich jeweils aufhält, oder ein Netzprofil, also mit wem er in Kontakt tritt, sondern ein Persönlichkeitsprofil erstellen, dass tagtäglich angepasst, komplettiert und vertieft werden kann: Es ist der gläserne Mensch in einem bisher unvorstellbaren Ausmass.

Das ermöglicht natürlich auch weitergehend die Einordnung in bestimmte Kategorien, Gesellschafts-Schubladen. Eine unvorstellbare Karteikartensammlung, wenn man so will, die jederzeit für einen bestimmten Personenkreis zugänglich ist: Z.B. bei Bewerbungen, Rasterfahndungen, Razzien, darauf aufgebauten gezielten Überwachungen u.s.w.

Eine Gesamtbevölkerung wird unter Generalverdacht gestellt, und entsprechend „erkennungsdienstlich“ behandelt.

Man muss Edward Snowden dankbar sein, dass er dies publik gemacht hat, denn erst dieses Wissen ermöglicht es, den Kampf gegen diesen Regierungs- Daten-Kraken mit seinem täglichen Eindringen in die Privatsphäre der Bürger aufzunehmen.

Edward Snowden Screenshot: Dr. v. Paleske

Auch wenn die Politiker in Deutschland sich überrascht zeigen, von „Neuland“ schwafeln, wie die Bundeskanzlerin: es ist zu bezweifeln, dass sie nichts von alledem wussten, zumal die Abteilung Internetüberwachung des Bundesnachrichtendienstes gerade mit hohen Millionenbeträgen aufgerüstet wird.

Zum BND
Libyen: Rebellenkommandeur beschuldigt Bundesnachrichtendeinst (BND) an Folterbefragungen beteiligt gewesen zu sein

Mail an BND-Noch-Präsident Ernst Uhrlau
Brief an BND-Präsident Ernst Uhrlau: Klären Sie einen Skandal auf!
BND-Chef Ernst Uhrlau schreibt an Bundeskanzlerin Angela Merkel

Dr. Alexander von Paleske 15.2. 2013 — Der Fall des Mossad-Spions Ben Zygier weitete sich immer mehr zu einem Riesenskandal aus, nicht nur in Israel, sondern auch in Australien.

Dabei geht es um folgende Bereiche:

– Der Umfang an Information über die Verhaftung Zygiers seitens Israels an sein Heimatland Australien.

– Die anfänglichen Unwahrheiten seitens des australischen Aussenministers Bob Carr

– Die näheren Umstände des Todes Zygiers trotz 24 Stunden-Videoüberwachung in einer angeblich selbstmordsicheren Zelle

– Die Druckmittel der israelischen Behörden gegenüber Zygier, um zu einem Geständnis zu gelangen. Druckmittel, die wiederum mitverantwortlich für den Selbstmord gewesen sein könnten.

– Schliesslich die Umstände der Verhaftung: wurde Zygier in Israel verhaftet, oder unter Verletzung internationalen Recht, wie in einigen Medien berichtet, in einem fremden Staat gekidnappt und nach Israel verbracht?

Beginnen wir in Australien
Dort ist mittlerweile eine Auseinandersetzung darüber entbrannt, was das australische Aussenministerium von der Verhaftung wusste, wann es etwas wusste, und warum es seinen konsularischen Pflichten, also einem Besuch im Gefängnis, nicht nachkam.

THE AGE 15.2. 2013

Offenbar war, entgegen den ersten Statements des Aussenministers Carr gegenüber der der australischen Rundfunkanstalt ABC, die mehr einem Cover Up dienten, die australische Regierung seinerzeit nicht über normale diplomatische Kanäle, aber über den australischen Geheimdienst ASIO informiert worden, der wiederum die Info vom israelischen Inlandsgeheimdienst Shin Bet erhielt.

Australischer Ausssenminister Bob Carr …….Cover up
Screenshot: Dr. v. Paleske

Zwar besass Ben Zygier auch die israelische Staatsangehörigkeit, aber das entbindet nach Auffassung führender australischer Rechtsexperten die australische Regierung keineswegs von ihren konsularischen Verpflichtungen, wozu selbstverständlich auch ein Besuch im Gefängnis gehört hätte. Aber nichts dergleichen geschah.

Zur gleichen Zeit
Etwa zur gleichen Zeit kam es auch zu einer diplomatischen Auseinandersetzung zwischen den Regierungen Israels und Australiens: Es stellte sich nämlich heraus, dass auch offenbar gefälschte australische Pässe bei der Einreise von Mossad-Agenten in Dubai benutzt wurden. Agenten, die dort den Hamas-Waffenbeschaffer Mahmoud el-Mabouh im Januar 2010 ermordeten.

Möglicherweise war Zygier selbst an der Ermordung beteiligt, wie von einigen Medien berichtet.

Die australische Regierung, damals unter Premier Kevin Rudd, legte scharfen Protest gegen den Passmissbrauch ein, und ordnete als eine Art Vergeltung die Ausweisung eines israelischen Diplomaten an, eines Mossad-Mitarbeiters.
Mehr noch: der Name des Mossad-Mannes, Eli Elkoubi, wurde der Presse mitgeteilt, was diesen für zukünftige Einsätze disqualifizierte.

Fragen in Israel
In Israel stellen sich derweil bohrende Fragen nach der mangelnden Überwachung des Häftlings, der ganz offenbar mit Drohungen unter Druck gesetzt worden war, um ein Geständnis zu erhalten.

Neben einer langen Gefängnisstrafe wurde ihm auch in Aussicht gestellt, de facto von seiner Familie mangels Besuchsmöglichkeit für so gut wie immer getrennt zu sein.

Derweil gehen die Vermutungen weiter, ob er tatsächlich, und in welchem Umfang, Staatsgeheimnisse weitergegeben hat, oder aber kurz davor stand.

THE AGE 15.2.2013

Was sich jedoch bereits jetzt herausstellt, ist wieder einmal die Verhöhnung des Rechtsstaats – gegenüber Palästinensern sowieso an der Tagesordnung, einschliesslich des Einsatzes von Todesschwadronen der Armee – auch gegenüber Israelis selbst, soweit sie als Verräter angesehen werden.

Mr. X – Der Mossad-Spion, der aus Australien kam

Dr. Alexander von Paleske —- 13.2. 2013 —- „Schleierhafte Agenten-Affäre: Rätsel um Tod von Israels „Gefangenem X“ lautete heute die Schlagzeile im STERN. Andere Medien zogen nach. Gleichwohl blieb einiges im Dunkeln, selbst in dem SPIEGEL-Artikel, der behauptete „ausführlich“ zu sein.

Die Medien in Australien, insbesondere in Melbourne, wo ich mich gerade zu einem Krankenbesuch aufhalte, sind da längst weiter

The Age vom 14.2. 2013 mit der Story und Bild auf Seite 1 Foto: Dr. v. Paleske

Genauer gesagt: seit drei Jahren, noch bevor dieser Mossad Agent namens Ben Zygier von den israelischen Behörden verhaftet wurde, und sich im Dezember 2010 das Leben nahm. ,

Die australische Presse hatte nämlich bereits im Jahre 2010 über diesen Fall berichtet, noch bevor Zygier von den israelischen Behörden in den Hochsicherheitstrakt des Gefängnisses Ayalon nahe Tel Aviv gesteckt wurde, und zwar im Zusammenhang mit dem Verdacht auf Namesänderungen zum Zwecke der Passfälschung.

Ayalon-Gefängnis in Ramla nahe Tel Aviv – Screeshot: Dr. v. Paleske

Was steckt dahinter?
Ben Zygier, der aus einer prominenten jüdischen Familie in Melbourne stammt, wanderte 2000 im Alter von 24 Jahren aus Australien aus und in Israel ein, heiratete dort eine Israelin und zeugte mit ihr zwei Kinder.

Hochzeitsfoto des Paares Screenshot:Dr. v. Paleske

Der israelische Auslandsgeheimdienst Mossad ist auch bei der Einwanderungsbehörde präsent. Auf zwei Dinge ist man dort scharf: Potentiell rekrutierbare Agenten und ausländische Pässe.
.
Das Interesse des Mossad konzenntriert sich also darauf:

– Wer kommt als Spion in Frage?

– Wessen Pass können wir beim Mossad gebrauchen? – nach Fälschung versteht sich.

Der Mossad benutzt zur Tarnung seiner Agenten nicht etwa Phantasienamen, sondern die Namen und Daten von lebenden Personen, wie wir bereits im Zusammenhang mit der Mossad-Superspionin Sylvia Rafael berichteten.Die Pässe werden dann von erprobten Fälschern frisiert, also gefälscht bzw. neu ausgestellt als sog. Totalfälschung.

Mit derartigen Pässen lassen sich dann als Handelsvertreter, Journalisten oder Touristen getarnte Agenten in arabische Länder im Nahen Osten schicken.

Jüdisch klingender Name unbrauchbar
Sollte aber der Pass einen israelisch klingenden Namen enthalten, ist das eher hinderlich. Aber dieses Hindernis lässt sich ja durch eine Namensänderung beseitigen.

Und genau das machte Ben Zygier, der sich zunächst in Ben Allen umbenannte, drei weitere Namensänderungen folgten, darunter Ben Alon, und Ben Burrows, ganz offiziell und legal in Australien, und schwupps wurde aus seinem verdächtigen Pass mehrere unverdächtige.

Entweder reist dann der Passbesitzer selbst als Agent in arabische Länder ein, oder aber ein anderer Mossad Agent mit einem entsprechend gefälschten Pass. So geschehen, als bei der Ermordung des HAMAS-Waffenbeschaffers Mahmud el-Mabuh in Dubai im Jahre 2010 die Mossad-Agenten mit gefälschten Pässen einreisten. Die Daten stammten aus echten europäischen Pässen, auch aus Deutschland, was sofort zu heftigen Protesten seitens der betroffenen Länder führte.

Nicht der einzige
Zygier war aber nicht der einzige jüdische Mitbürger, der eine derartige Namensänderung beantragt hatte, sondern noch zwei weitere jüdische Mitbürger, und das alarmierte den australischen Auslandsgeheimdienst Australian Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO). Der hatte wenig Interesse daran, dass Australien in das Fadenkreuz der Islam-Terroristen gerät, sozusagen als Pass- Helfershelfer des Mossad.

Wer Melbourne besucht, was ich zu Zeit umständehalber mache, der bekommt eine Ahnung über die Zahl der Immigranten und Studenten auch aus moslemischen Ländern, eine wahre Multikulti-Gesellschaft, die hier friedlich zusammenlebt. Und das soll auch so bleiben.

Also begann der australische Geheimdienst ASIO zu ermitteln, und liess offenbar auch ein paar Infos an den Nahost-Korrespondenten der Mediengruppe Fairfax , Jason Koutsoukis durchsickern. Fairfax gibt die Zeitungen THE AGE in Melbourne und den SYDNEY MORNING HERALD heraus.

Derbe Schimpfworte
Als Koutsoukis Ben Zygier alias Allen Anfang 2010 in Israel aufstöberte, hatte er für die Anfragen des Journalisten bezüglich seiner Mossad-Mitarbeit nur beleidigende Schimpfworte wie „fuck off“ und „bullshit“ übrig.

Ben Zygiers berufliche Spur nach seiner Ankunft in Israel lässt sich jedoch nur bis zum Jahre 2002 verfolgen – bei einer Versicherungsgesellschaft, dann verliert sie sich.

Nachverfolgen liess sich allerdings, dass eine derartige Passperson seines Namens in arabische Nahostländer einreiste.

Im Jahre 2008 tauchte Ben Zygier wieder auf, in Melbourne, wo er sich an der dortigen Monash-Universität eingeschrieb, um sein MBA-Studium zu komplettieren.
Diese Universität arbeitet eng mit saudi-arabischen Universitäten zusammen, entsprechend gibt es dort viele arabische Studenten, und in deren – ahnungsloser – Gesellschaft wurde Zygier auch gesichtet.

Aber dann wurde es kritisch um ihn: im Jahre 2010 verschwand er –ohne Prozess – im Hochsicherheitsgefängnis Ayalon und erhängte sich – in einer angeblich selbstmordsicheren Zelle.
Niemand durfte wissen, wer dieser Mister X war. Besuche von Angehörigen waren verboten.

Die israelische Presse bekam einen Maulkorb umgehängt, auch Gag-Order genannt, nachdem ein Gefängniswärter die Medien auf diesen mysteriösen Mister X aufmerksam gemacht hatte.
Monate später war er tot – vier Tage nach der Geburt seiner zweiten Tochter.

Viel Beileid
In Australien wurde der Tod des nunmehr 34-jährigen gleichwohl schmerzhaft wahrgenommen, den Todesanzeigen in der israelischen Gemeindezeitung nach zu urteilen. So gab es unter anderem Beleidsbekundungen von der Monash Universität und der jüdischen Gemeinde in Melbourne.

Leichnam überführt, Fragen bleiben
Schliesslich, auf Verlangen seiner Eltern, wurde der Leichnam repatriiert und so liegt er nun auf einem jüdischen Friedhof in Melbourne begraben.

Grabstein auf dem jüdischen Friedhof in Melbourne

Ich habe es mir erspart, den Friedhof aufzusuchen, um ein Foto von dem Grab zu machen, schliesslich bin ich hier in Melbourne nur für kurze Zeit, um einem kranken Verwandten zu besuchen und moralisch aufzurüsten.

Gleichwohl bleibt noch eine Frage unbeantwortet: was hatte Ben Zygier verbrochen, um in dieser Isolationshaft ohne Verwandtenbesuche zu landen?

Die israelische Regierung will natürlich keine Auskunft geben.
Eine derartige absolut rechtsstaatswidrige „Spezialbehandlung“ – sonst nur Arabern vorbehalten – genoss als Israeli zuletzt Mordechai Vanunu, wenngleich dessen Identität bekannt war: er hatte 1986 die Atombombengeheimnisse Israels an die britische Presse „verraten“.

Geheimnisse, die allerdings für die Geheimdienste längst keine mehr waren, nachdem der Mossad-Agent Dan Ertel, alias Dan Erbel alias Dan Erteschik geplaudert hatte. Erbel war 1968 an der Kaperung des Frachtschiffes Scheersberg A, mit 200 Tonnen Uran an Bord, beteiligt, das Israel in die Lage versetzte, in seinem Reaktor Dimona in der Negev-Wüste Atombomben herzustellen. Er informierte bereits 1974 nach seiner Verhaftung wegen Mordes die norwegischen Behörden über Israels Griff zur Atombombe und seine Beteiligung an der Kaperung des Schiffs.

Kein Pardon
Mit Israelis, die Geheimnisse an den „Feind“ verraten, kennt Israel kein Pardon, auch wenn es sich um illegale Geheimnisse handelt, wie im Falle der Journalistin Anat Kam. Und so lag es vermutlich auch hier. Denn für einen schiefgelaufenen Mossadauftrag gibt es einen Anschiss oder ggf. den Rauswurf, aber keine Einzelhaft.
Und so muss er wohl geplappert haben, vielleicht war er auch in einen erotischen Honigtopf mit einer verschleierten Frau gefallen, auch das kommt ja gelegentlich vor.

Die israelische Regierung versucht jedenfalls verzweifelt, die offenbar peinlichen Details unter dem Deckel zu halten. Aber das gelang weder mit Vanunu, noch mit der Journalistin Anat Kam. So werden wir früher oder später noch erfahren, in welche missliche Lage der Mossad durch Ben Zygier geriet.

In der Zwischenzeit – und auch danach – möge Ben Zygier alias Allen in Frieden ruhen.

NACHTRAG 14.2. 2013, 13.20Uhr
Die israelische Nachrichtenseite ynet, die seinerzeit zuerst über den mysteriösen Häftling X berichtet hatte, schreibt heute,

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4345002,00.html

dass Zygier an der Ermordung des Hamas-Waffenbeschaffers el-Mabouh (siehe oben und detaillierter hier) in Dubai 2010 beteiligt gewesen sein soll, aber später die Regierung in Dubai – gegen das Versprechen der Nichtverfolgung seiner Beteiligung – dann mit Infos versorgte:

Western sources „in the know“ told Kuwait’s Al-Jarida newspaper on Thursday that Ben Zygier, AKA „Prisoner X,“ was one of the members of the squad which assassinated senior Hamas terrorist Mahmoud al-Mabhouh in Dubai in January 2010.
The same sources noted that following the mission, Zygier contacted the government in Dubai and updated them on the details of the assassination in exchange for protection. The sources also said that Israel managed to uncover Zygier’s hiding place, kidnapped and jailed him for treason, and all this while maintaining absolute secrecy. The report has not been confirmed by any other sources.

Zur Journalistin Anat Kam

Israel: 4 1/2 Jahre Freiheitsstrafe für eine mutige
Journalistin
Israel: Journalismus, illegale Staatsgeheimnisse und Todesschwadronen
Innerstaatliche Feinderklärung, Staatsmassnahmen gegen Kritiker

Mehr zum Mossad
Israel: Kanonen statt Butter, Ermordungen und Entführungen statt Friedensverhandlungen
Geheimdienst Mossad – Bilanz der letzten 20 Monate: Piraterie, Mord, Kidnapping
Der mysteriöse Fall des vom Mossad gekidnappten Ingenieurs Dirar Abu Sisi
Noch ein Mossad Mord?
Eine Visitenkarte und die Mossad-Affäre von Lillehammer

Ein “investigativer“ israelischer Journalist und Geschichten, die der Mossad erzählte
Pressebericht bestätigt Mossad-Beteiligung an der Arctic- Sea Kaperung
Kaperung der Arctic Sea – die Indizienkette beginnt sich zu schliessen
Kaperung der Arctic Sea – Mehrfacher Waffenschmuggel?
Arctic Sea: Die Öffentlichkeit wird getäuscht
Die Kaperung der Arctic Sea – oder: Windiges aus der russischen Seefahrt
Die Kaperung der Arctic Sea: Fakten, Indizien, Spekulationen
Arctic Sea“- Kaperung: Indizien deuten auf Geheimdienstaktion – vermutlich Mossad – und nicht Piraten

onlineredaktion – Der Genfer Ex-Spion Claude Covassi ist am Freitag im Alter von 42 Jahren gestorben. Covassi hatte 2004 im Auftrag des Schweizer Geheimdienstes das Genfer Islam-Zentrum (CIG) ausgehorcht.

Eine Untersuchung der Todesumstände ist im Gange, wie die Genfer Polizei eine Meldung von «Der Sonntag» bestätigte. Covassi hatte 2006 vor den Medien erklärt, für den damaligen Inlandgeheimdienst DAP als «Maulwurf» illegalerweise das Islam-Zentrum unterwandert zu haben. Er hätte dabei dem Zentrum als «Lockvogel» Verbindungen zu islamistischen Terroristen unterschieben sollen.

Claude Covassi hat damals über Nachrichten Heute seine Geschichte kommuniziert und einige Beiträge verfasst.

Die Geschäftsprüfungsdelegation (GPDel) der eidgenössischen Räte befasste sich darauf mit dem Fall. Sie kam zum Schluss, dass keine illegalen Aktionen angeordnet worden waren. Das Parlamentsgremium widerlegte damit die Anschuldigungen Covassis.

Wie Ständerat Hans Hofmann (SVP/ZH) seinerzeit als GPDel-Präsident vor den Medien ausführte, hatte Covassi im Rahmen einer Operation «Memphis» einen Operationsbefehl des Inlandgeheimdienstes, den «Puls des CIG zu fühlen» und Informationen über den islamischen Fundamentalismus zusammenzutragen. Er wurde dafür mit 2200 Franken entschädigt.

Nach diesen Untersuchungen liess das Medieninteresse an Covassi nach. 2009 wurde Covassi in einer anderen Angelegenheit wegen Anabolika-Handels zu einer bedingten Freiheitsstrafe von acht Monaten verurteilt.

Covassi, ein Ex-Agent, „der die Gerechtigkeit sucht“

Dossier Claude Covassi
Affaire Covassi: Quand la Suisse couvre ses services secrets par des mensonges d’Etat
Dossier affaire Covassi:
Communiqué ATS/SDA : Claude Covassi, la «taupe du Centre Islamique» n’ira pas en prison
La mondialisation de l’idéologie islamophobe
Affaire Covassi – pourquoi les Services Secrets voulaient pieger Hani Ramadan
Pour quelle raison, selon vous, les services secrets voulaient-ils piéger Hani Ramadan?
Concerne: Claude COVASSI / Son retour en Suisse
Claude Covassi: Menes
Communiqué ATS/SDA: ULTIMATUM
Claude COVASSI / Son audition par la Délégation des Commissions de Gestion
Covassi: lettre à la Delegation des Commissions de Gestion
Covassi: Communiqué à l’ATS/SDA
Lettre à Monsieur Hofmann et La Délégation des Commissions de gestion
Claude Covassi: Communiqué à l’ATS/SDA
Affäre Covassi: Wer trägt die Verantwortung?
Communique a l’ATS-SDA
Streng öffentlich: Ex-Spion droht Geheimdienst bloßzustellen
Schweiz: Covassi – der Spion, der in die Kälte kam …
Vereitelte Schweizer Geheimdienst Terroranschlag auf El-Al?

George Mapp – How, when and why I first met Viktor Bout is too fascinating and too long a story to discuss here. In fact so intriguing that I am currently write a book about it. Viktor Bout is a part of but by no means entails my entire book. The book will also discuss my intimate encounter in the foothills of the Himalayas with David Headley’s — Mumbai’s 26/11 terrorist mastermind — wife Faiza that led to India’s intelligence agency tracking me down for interrogation and questioning along with the FBI. My book is in five parts: India, Thailand, Morocco, America and Russia. For a brief description see below:

In his fascinating new book, Drug Smugglers, Gun Runners, Russian Intelligence Officers and Terrorists’ Wives, George Mapp describes how he went from an international equity trader on Wall Street, to massage therapist to international globe trotter to an accused terrorist. His unique book will discuss international travel to exotic destinations, a spiritual journey, love affairs, diverse cultures, religious clashes, drugs, terrorism, intelligence agencies, spies, lies and spy games as well as his eye witness account of 9/11.

Contact and Book Donation Details for Viktor Bout

Since I first met Viktor back in October of 2010 in a Bangkok court room, I have followed his case extensively. I attended everyday of his New York trial, form opening remarks to the jury’s decision to the sentencing. I have visited him more than once in prison in Brooklyn and continue to communicate with him frequently via the prison email system dubbed CorrLinks. By default, I got to know him, his close friends, ex-partners and family quite well.

Viktor is quite a gifted linguist — he was able to read my Sanskrit tattoo’s with no problem. I can’t even read them, of course I know what they say but I am unable to read Sanskrit.

When you read the entire interview you will understand what extremely isolated conditions he is currently being held under. I am asking on Viktor’s behalf that anyone that would like to or that has the means to please consider sending a letter — or better yet ordering books for him online or perhaps donate money to him directly via the U.S. prison system so he can buy items from the commissary and phone his daughter, wife and mother in Russia which is extremely expensive.

Just so that there is no confusion — Viktor does NOT have access to the internet — ONLY a prison email system that is tightly monitored and restricted. Thus, Viktor can not read any news or websites, he can not download books or movies nor Skype. He is — with very few exceptions — completely isolated. Viktor would especially love books in Portuguese, Hindi, Urdu, Persian, Russian and yes even in English. Please remember — you can NOT send him books directly — they must come from a publisher directly. No more than 5 books at a time.The best way is too order online and have them sent to him — they MUST include his register number along with his name.

PLEASE NOTE: The BOP’s rules are extremely strict, Viktor can NOT receive any books or magazines directly from ANY individual — ONLY a company like Amazon or a newspaper subscription that comes directly from a publisher — for example Gazeta.ru. If you have any questions here are some links:

Inmate Locator

Inmate Mail/Parcels

Inmate Money

Viktor Bout Contact Info:

IMPORTANT: Please make sure you include his prisoner Register number

VIKTOR BOUT Register # 91641-054
USP MARION
U.S. PENITENTIARY
P.O. BOX 1000
MARION, IL  62959

 

Viktor Bout Exclusive First Interview from Marion, IL. Prison By George Mapp Jr

 

 

Viktor, first of all I want to thank you for taking time out for this interview. I haven’t seen you in person since April at MDC in Brooklyn. A lot has happened to you since then. I would like to first ask you, was your transfer to Oklahoma City from Brooklyn as sudden and unexpected for you as it was for your legal team?

The transfer wasn’t sudden or unexpected, it was clear that it was about to happen.

How were you treated during the transfer process and what mode of transportation did they use to move you to the temporary facility?

BOP [Bureau of Prisons] “bussed” about 25 inmates in same base to upstate’s Steward Airbase, where the infamous “Conair” MD82 was expected by several buses and vans from the region. When the plane landed, the buses and vans went to the tarmac and then some inmates were disembarked, and then they boarded us. The flight was OK, nothing special, just to sit in iron legs, shackles, belly chain, lock and box quite uncomfortable! At Oklahoma City there is a huge terminal like building – welcome to Federal Transit Facility Oklahoma! They called my name on public system and then they got me out first, and quite quickly I was in SHU !!!

[The Federal Bureau of Prisons‚ solitary confinement units are known as Special Housing Units aka the SHU.]

So I spent 12 days in the SHU in full and complete isolation from News, newspaper or even TV, only on work days they would take me for “recreation’- for one hour inside a caged roof (size 4mX4m).

I was treated exactly like anybody else in the SHU! I tried to request my legal call to my lawyer and to the Embassy, but they said only after 30 days I can have a call.!!!

How were your conditions and treatment at Oklahoma City?

Conditions at Oklahoma – it is clean, a shining jail like a monument to the prison industrial complex – still same cells ( size wise, same BOP menu, same attitude and even same smells!!

Did you have advanced notice of your final transfer to Marion, IL. Where you are currently being held?

It was clear a week before the transfer that it will be UPS Marion, so here I am, in CMU (you can check what it is your self)

[According to Wikipedia, a Communication Management Unit  or CMU is a recent designation for a self-contained group within a facility in the United States Federal Bureau of Prisons that severely restricts, manages and monitors all outside communication (telephone, mail, visitation) of inmates in the unit. The CMU permits two hours, twice per month, and no contact, meaning the visitor and inmate are in separate rooms with viewing through a glass window and talking via telephone. All conversations must be in English unless special permission is granted 10 days in advance. This is in contrast to ordinary inmates in ordinary units, where the visitation standard includes unlimited contact on their visitation day, once each week or biweekly. In addition to the already imposed restrictions, CMU “prisoners are banned from any physical contact with visiting friends and family, including babies, infants, and minor children.”Compared to other inmates, those placed in the CMU have little contact with the outside world. At least $14 million is spent on surveillance of the CMUs. A counterterrorism team in West Virginia monitors verbal communication remotely.

You have described briefly to me – via CorrLinks prison email system – your conditions in Marion. Can you please describe for my readers your conditions – especially phone privileges and visiting conditions?

CMU’s rules are quite restrictive – only 2 calls of 15 minutes per week with the special forms where you have to use available timing and mention to whom you will call and which language you are going to use, 1 week prior to yours calls. Even a letter you can only send if the address is in the your approved contact list and you must use only the printed labels for the address. Here I will again have non-contact visits (through glass).

Since Putin has been elected as the Russian president, there seems to have been a plethora of political support for you out of Russia – is this just coincidence or is there a connection with Putin to the political?

As I have very little information about the political support I really can’t comment on something that I am not aware of. I know that many in Russia are concerned what has happened to me, and why it is happening.

Have you noticed an increase or any change in support from the Russian government since Putin’s election?

Again, here in Marion I have very little news from Russia, and I am only calling my family to check how they are.

Has the support from the Russian consulate and Russian government been affected by your transfer to Marion, IL? If so, how has it changed?

I don’t know of any facts that something was affected, just last week I got a call from the Consular Section of the Russian Embassy in the Washington, and soon they are planning to visit me here.

According to The Voice of America’s James Brooke, Igor Sechin visited New York shortly after you were convicted – did Sechin visit you or speak to you during his visit?

As I said many times, I do not have any personal connection to Mr. Sechin, never meet him before, so even to ask about his visit to NYC is useless.

I was standing outside the courthouse last fall when The Voice of America’s Carolyn Weaver [I actually have this on video] asked your wife Alla, “How long have you been in the KGB?” Do you care to comment?

Well, in 2004 I even requested the Archive of the ex-KGB for that, and I do have an official statement, that I never been in there service and never help any position.

Viktor, there are many so called conflict awareness groups, arms trade organizations that have been following your case. Do you care to enlighten them to the facts and reality of the international arms trade including the major players?

I think I am not in the position to enlighten them. As I know nothing special, which they didn’t know. What is interesting for me is who finances them and why do they exist? Just there honest desire to help other nations? I never believe in these “cover stories” !!!

The former CIA asset and Liberian war Lord Charles Taylor has been linked to you by various publications. Have you ever met or done business with Taylor?

I never meet C.Taylor, and never had any dealings with his regimes!!!

I was in Russia when an anonymous source notified me that you would not be sent to the ‘Supermax’ prison facility in Colorado. I was actually the first person to publish this on the internet followed by The Voice of Russia. Was this decision and attorney general Eric Holder’s intervention a surprise to you?

I don’t know anything of the interventions by Eric Holder – as I know he is still the Boss including the BOP! So what kind of the intervention your are talking about, this IS HIS PERSONAL DEPARTMENT!!!

Would you plead guilty if you were guaranteed to be extradited to Russia to serve out your sentence?

That’s a 64kUSD question, I will need legal advice from my team.

Viktor, Richard Chichakli’s name has appeared on a second DEA indictment issued in November 2010 along with your name. Do you care to comment about either your personal and / or business relationship with Richard?

Richard is my friend, and I will not comment or speculate about him – his life is just another example of the reality of this very country.

Their have been many investigative journalists associating DEA sting operation ‘Relentless’ that ended in your initial arrest in Bangkok, Thailand to either your knowledge of or involvement in 9/11. Some like investigative journalist Wayne Madsen said, “Bout was arrested because he knew too much about 9/11 and the intelligence agencies wanted you off the streets.” Others have said that you were arrested to be indirectly blamed for 9/11. Do you care to share your thoughts on these allegations?

Well that’s a nice idea for Hollywood. As all that happened on 9/11 itself. I have to intention to comment on there fantasies and speculations on the rumors.

How is the appeal process going?

Best is to check with Mr. Albert Dayan, I am looking to see him, I Don’t know what is going on for the last one month.

Do your lawyer’s and legal staff have direct access and communication to you? Or has it been very difficult due to your distant geographical location?

That’s another problem, I am in contact with Dayan’s office via corrlink e-mail, but I was denied a possibility to make an unmonitored legal call to him, for which I have to have 2 week deadline in the Court and I have to provide a docket number then maybe I will have chance to call him!!!

Has any of your legal staff been able to see you in person since your transfer to Marion?

Not yet. I know Mr. Dayan was in Moscow and looking to see him soon.

Viktor, I would like to take this time to say thank you for your interview.

Thank you and best wishes to readers of your site !!!

This article was first published at Dobroyeutro’s Blog

Dobroyeutro Blog ~ News with intelligence ~ Dobroyeutro wants to share news with intelligence with our readers from around the world…to share our original articles and to encourage our readers to feel free to share their articles and ideas…to have a forum with interesting and intelligent topics in a polite and civil manner…

Jeremy Scahill / The Nation – Over the past several years, entities closely linked to the private security firm Blackwater have provided intelligence, training and security services to US and foreign governments as well as several multinational corporations, including Monsanto, Chevron, the Walt Disney Company, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and banking giants Deutsche Bank and Barclays, according to documents obtained by The Nation.

Blackwater’s work for corporations and government agencies was contracted using two companies owned by Blackwater’s owner and founder, Erik Prince: Total Intelligence Solutions and the Terrorism Research Center (TRC). Prince is listed as the chairman of both companies in internal company documents, which show how the web of companies functions as a highly coordinated operation. Officials from Total Intelligence, TRC and Blackwater (which now calls itself Xe Services) did not respond to numerous requests for comment for this article.

One of the most incendiary details in the documents is that Blackwater, through Total Intelligence, sought to become the „intel arm“ of Monsanto, offering to provide operatives to infiltrate activist groups organizing against the multinational biotech firm.

Governmental recipients of intelligence services and counterterrorism training from Prince’s companies include the Kingdom of Jordan, the Canadian military and the Netherlands police, as well as several US military bases, including Fort Bragg, home of the elite Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), and Fort Huachuca, where military interrogators are trained, according to the documents. In addition, Blackwater worked through the companies for the Defense Intelligence Agency, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency and the US European Command.

On September 3 the New York Times reported that Blackwater had „created a web of more than 30 shell companies or subsidiaries in part to obtain millions of dollars in American government contracts after the security company came under intense criticism for reckless conduct in Iraq.“ The documents obtained by The Nation reveal previously unreported details of several such companies and open a rare window into the sensitive intelligence and security operations Blackwater performs for a range of powerful corporations and government agencies. The new evidence also sheds light on the key roles of several former top CIA officials who went on to work for Blackwater.

The coordinator of Blackwater’s covert CIA business, former CIA paramilitary officer Enrique „Ric“ Prado, set up a global network of foreign operatives, offering their „deniability“ as a „big plus“ for potential Blackwater customers, according to company documents. The CIA has long used proxy forces to carry out extralegal actions or to shield US government involvement in unsavory operations from scrutiny. In some cases, these „deniable“ foreign forces don’t even know who they are working for. Prado and Prince built up a network of such foreigners while Blackwater was at the center of the CIA’s assassination program, beginning in 2004. They trained special missions units at one of Prince’s properties in Virginia with the intent of hunting terrorism suspects globally, often working with foreign operatives. A former senior CIA official said the benefit of using Blackwater’s foreign operatives in CIA operations was that „you wouldn’t want to have American fingerprints on it.“

While the network was originally established for use in CIA operations, documents show that Prado viewed it as potentially valuable to other government agencies. In an e-mail in October 2007 with the subject line „Possible Opportunity in DEA—Read and Delete,“ Prado wrote to a Total Intelligence executive with a pitch for the Drug Enforcement Administration. That executive was an eighteen-year DEA veteran with extensive government connections who had recently joined the firm. Prado explained that Blackwater had developed „a rapidly growing, worldwide network of folks that can do everything from surveillance to ground truth to disruption operations.“ He added, „These are all foreign nationals (except for a few cases where US persons are the conduit but no longer ‚play‘ on the street), so deniability is built in and should be a big plus.“

The executive wrote back and suggested there „may be an interest“ in those services. The executive suggested that „one of the best places to start may be the Special Operations Division, (SOD) which is located in Chantilly, VA,“ telling Prado the name of the special agent in charge. The SOD is a secretive joint command within the Justice Department, run by the DEA. It serves as the command-and-control center for some of the most sensitive counternarcotics and law enforcement operations conducted by federal forces. The executive also told Prado that US attachés in Mexico; Bogotá, Colombia; and Bangkok, Thailand, would potentially be interested in Prado’s network. Whether this network was activated, and for what customers, cannot be confirmed. A former Blackwater employee who worked on the company’s CIA program declined to comment on Prado’s work for the company, citing its classified status.

In November 2007 officials from Prince’s companies developed a pricing structure for security and intelligence services for private companies and wealthy individuals. One official wrote that Prado had the capacity to „develop infrastructures“ and „conduct ground-truth and security activities.“ According to the pricing chart, potential customers could hire Prado and other Blackwater officials to operate in the United States and globally: in Latin America, North Africa, francophone countries, the Middle East, Europe, China, Russia, Japan, and Central and Southeast Asia. A four-man team headed by Prado for countersurveillance in the United States cost $33,600 weekly, while „safehouses“ could be established for $250,000, plus operational costs. Identical services were offered globally. For $5,000 a day, clients could hire Prado or former senior CIA officials Cofer Black and Robert Richer for „representation“ to national „decision-makers.“ Before joining Blackwater, Black, a twenty-eight-year CIA veteran, ran the agency’s counterterrorism center, while Richer was the agency’s deputy director of operations. (Neither Black nor Richer currently works for the company.)

As Blackwater became embroiled in controversy following the Nisour Square massacre, Prado set up his own company, Constellation Consulting Group (CCG), apparently taking some of Blackwater’s covert CIA work with him, though he maintained close ties to his former employer. In an e-mail to a Total Intelligence executive in February 2008, Prado wrote that he „recently had major success in developing capabilities in Mali [Africa] that are of extreme interest to our major sponsor and which will soon launch a substantial effort via my small shop.“ He requested Total Intelligence’s help in analyzing the „North Mali/Niger terrorist problem.“

In October 2009 Blackwater executives faced a crisis when they could not account for their government-issued Secure Telephone Unit, which is used by the CIA, the National Security Agency and other military and intelligence services for secure communications. A flurry of e-mails were sent around as personnel from various Blackwater entities tried to locate the device. One former Blackwater official wrote that because he had left the company it was „not really my problem,“ while another declared, „I have no ‚dog in this fight.'“ Eventually, Prado stepped in, e-mailing the Blackwater officials to „pass my number“ to the „OGA POC,“ meaning the Other Government Agency (parlance for CIA) Point of Contact.

What relationship Prado’s CCG has with the CIA is not known. An early version of his company’s website boasted that „CCG professionals have already conducted operations on five continents, and have proven their ability to meet the most demanding client needs“ and that the company has the „ability to manage highly-classified contracts.“ CCG, the site said, „is uniquely positioned to deliver services that no other company can, and can deliver results in the most remote areas with little or no outside support.“ Among the services advertised were „Intelligence and Counter-Intelligence (human and electronic), Unconventional Military Operations, Counterdrug Operations, Aviation Services, Competitive Intelligence, Denied Area Access…and Paramilitary Training.“

The Nation has previously reported on Blackwater’s work for the CIA and JSOC in Pakistan. New documents reveal a history of activity relating to Pakistan by Blackwater. Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto worked with the company when she returned to Pakistan to campaign for the 2008 elections, according to the documents. In October 2007, when media reports emerged that Bhutto had hired „American security,“ senior Blackwater official Robert Richer wrote to company executives, „We need to watch this carefully from a number of angles. If our name surfaces, the Pakistani press reaction will be very important. How that plays through the Muslim world will also need tracking.“ Richer wrote that „we should be prepared to [sic] a communique from an affiliate of Al-Qaida if our name surfaces (BW). That will impact the security profile.“ Clearly a word is missing in the e-mail or there is a typo that leaves unclear what Richer meant when he mentioned the Al Qaeda communiqué. Bhutto was assassinated two months later. Blackwater officials subsequently scheduled a meeting with her family representatives in Washington, in January 2008.

Through Total Intelligence and the Terrorism Research Center, Blackwater also did business with a range of multinational corporations. According to internal Total Intelligence communications, biotech giant Monsanto—the world’s largest supplier of genetically modified seeds—hired the firm in 2008–09. The relationship between the two companies appears to have been solidified in January 2008 when Total Intelligence chair Cofer Black traveled to Zurich to meet with Kevin Wilson, Monsanto’s security manager for global issues.

After the meeting in Zurich, Black sent an e-mail to other Blackwater executives, including to Prince and Prado at their Blackwater e-mail addresses. Black wrote that Wilson „understands that we can span collection from internet, to reach out, to boots on the ground on legit basis protecting the Monsanto [brand] name…. Ahead of the curve info and insight/heads up is what he is looking for.“ Black added that Total Intelligence „would develop into acting as intel arm of Monsanto.“ Black also noted that Monsanto was concerned about animal rights activists and that they discussed how Blackwater „could have our person(s) actually join [activist] group(s) legally.“ Black wrote that initial payments to Total Intelligence would be paid out of Monsanto’s „generous protection budget“ but would eventually become a line item in the company’s annual budget. He estimated the potential payments to Total Intelligence at between $100,000 and $500,000. According to documents, Monsanto paid Total Intelligence $127,000 in 2008 and $105,000 in 2009.

Reached by telephone and asked about the meeting with Black in Zurich, Monsanto’s Wilson initially said, „I’m not going to discuss it with you.“ In a subsequent e-mail to The Nation, Wilson confirmed he met Black in Zurich and that Monsanto hired Total Intelligence in 2008 and worked with the company until early 2010. He denied that he and Black discussed infiltrating animal rights groups, stating „there was no such discussion.“ He claimed that Total Intelligence only provided Monsanto „with reports about the activities of groups or individuals that could pose a risk to company personnel or operations around the world which were developed by monitoring local media reports and other publicly available information. The subject matter ranged from information regarding terrorist incidents in Asia or kidnappings in Central America to scanning the content of activist blogs and websites.“ Wilson asserted that Black told him Total Intelligence was „a completely separate entity from Blackwater.“

Monsanto was hardly the only powerful corporation to enlist the services of Blackwater’s constellation of companies. The Walt Disney Company hired Total Intelligence and TRC to do a „threat assessment“ for potential film shoot locations in Morocco, with former CIA officials Black and Richer reaching out to their former Moroccan intel counterparts for information. The job provided a „good chance to impress Disney,“ one company executive wrote. How impressed Disney was is not clear; in 2009 the company paid Total Intelligence just $24,000.

Total Intelligence and TRC also provided intelligence assessments on China to Deutsche Bank. „The Chinese technical counterintelligence threat is one of the highest in the world,“ a TRC analyst wrote, adding, „Many four and five star hotel rooms and restaurants are live-monitored with both audio and video“ by Chinese intelligence. He also said that computers, PDAs and other electronic devices left unattended in hotel rooms could be cloned. Cellphones using the Chinese networks, the analyst wrote, could have their microphones remotely activated, meaning they could operate as permanent listening devices. He concluded that Deutsche Bank reps should „bring no electronic equipment into China.“ Warning of the use of female Chinese agents, the analyst wrote, „If you don’t have women coming onto you all the time at home, then you should be suspicious if they start coming onto you when you arrive in China.“ For these and other services, the bank paid Total Intelligence $70,000 in 2009.

TRC also did background checks on Libyan and Saudi businessmen for British banking giant Barclays. In February 2008 a TRC executive e-mailed Prado and Richer revealing that Barclays asked TRC and Total Intelligence for background research on the top executives from the Saudi Binladin Group (SBG) and their potential „associations/connections with the Royal family and connections with Osama bin Ladin.“ In his report, Richer wrote that SBG’s chair, Bakr Mohammed bin Laden, „is well and favorably known to both arab and western intelligence service[s]“ for cooperating in the hunt for Osama bin Laden. Another SBG executive, Sheikh Saleh bin Laden, is described by Richer as „a very savvy businessman“ who is „committed to operating with full transparency to Saudi’s security services“ and is considered „the most vehement within the extended BL family in terms of criticizing UBL’s actions and beliefs.“

In August Blackwater and the State Department reached a $42 million settlement for hundreds of violations of US export control regulations. Among the violations cited was the unauthorized export of technical data to the Canadian military. Meanwhile, Blackwater’s dealings with Jordanian officials are the subject of a federal criminal prosecution of five former top Blackwater executives. The Jordanian government paid Total Intelligence more than $1.6 million in 2009.

Some of the training Blackwater provided to Canadian military forces was in Blackwater/TRC’s „Mirror Image“ course, where trainees live as a mock Al Qaeda cell in an effort to understand the mindset and culture of insurgents. Company literature describes it as „a classroom and field training program designed to simulate terrorist recruitment, training, techniques and operational tactics.“ Documents show that in March 2009 Blackwater/TRC spent $6,500 purchasing local tribal clothing in Afghanistan as well as assorted „propaganda materials—posters, Pakistan Urdu maps, etc.“ for Mirror Image, and another $9,500 on similar materials this past January in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

According to internal documents, in 2009 alone the Canadian military paid Blackwater more than $1.6 million through TRC. A Canadian military official praised the program in a letter to the center, saying it provided „unique and valid cultural awareness and mission specific deployment training for our soldiers in Afghanistan,“ adding that it was „a very effective and operationally current training program that is beneficial to our mission.“

This past summer Erik Prince put Blackwater up for sale and moved to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. But he doesn’t seem to be leaving the shadowy world of security and intelligence. He says he moved to Abu Dhabi because of its „great proximity to potential opportunities across the entire Middle East, and great logistics,“ adding that it has „a friendly business climate, low to no taxes, free trade and no out of control trial lawyers or labor unions. It’s pro-business and opportunity.“ It also has no extradition treaty with the United States.

For skeptics of how the American government has conducted its so-called War on Drugs, don’t worry, it will soon be out of their hands.

The US Department of Defense has transferred its armed efforts in Latin and Central America in the War on Drugs to Academi, the private military contractors formerly known as Blackwater, reports BBC Spanish. Before they altered their branding to be known as Xe, then most recently Academi, Blackwater underwent immense criticism for a series of scandals involving contract employees executing civilians throughout the Middle East.

That same company that trained contractors to mercilessly slay helpless Iraqis will now be ushering military contractors south of the border to help combat the War on Drugs there, the outlet reports. With the Constitution only legally allowing the Pentagon to get away with so much, the BBC reports that the transition of control to private contractors will allow them to get away with what “US military forces are not allowed or not encouraged to do.”

The company previously known as Blackwater is just one of several private contractors that have been awarded contracts out of the Department of Defense, reports BBC, and their specific deal will award them several million dollars towards “providing advice, training and conducting operations in drug producing countries and those with links to so-called ‘narco-terrorism’ including Latin America.”

What’s more, it is reported, that those contracts were no-bid agreements authorized by the Pentagon. Under such deals, the DoD forks over federal funds to private companies without ever seeking better offers from competitors.

As long ago as 2007, the Pentagon was considering billions of dollars worth of contracts to private contractor aid in the War on Drugs, but the BBC reports that the latest deal will actually aid in the “transfer” of control out of Washington and instead put the actions of enforcing drug production and trafficking in the hands of civilians, not servicemen bound by certain rules and regulations.

Additionally, the transition will allow the government to usher billions into the War on Drugs, but to the public it will appear as if the effort is, on the periphery, nothing more than another DoD contract. Opposition has long existed to the lengthy War on Drugs, and by continuing the efforts in Central and South America without relying on further Pentagon expenditures, less money will appear to be focused on ongoing operations.

“They surreptitiously want to reduce anti-drug budget by transferring it to private agencies,” Larry Birns, director of the Council on Hemispheric Affairs tells the BBC. “The drug war is unpopular and has no political weight except in an election year like this, so the Department of Defense wants to remove that spending from their accounts.”

Bruce Bagley, head of International Studies at the University of Miami, tells BBC that the move will appear to cut out “the high political cost” of continuing the War on Drugs directly out of the Pentagon, but could create a massive backlash of the citizens of the countries in question become aware that private mercenaries are being installed to conduct armed operations.

The move is expected to send contractors into Mexico, Colombia and Caribbean and other locales to the south of the United States.

Edgar Sandoval In Cartagena, Colombia , Alison Gendar In Washington & Bill Hutchinson – In the dingy Colombian love club where locals say President Obama’s Secret Service agents picked up a harem of hookers, scantily clad women do dirty dances and brazenly sell their bodies.

Small black tables covering a dimly lit dance floor at the Pley Club in a low-rent district of Cartagena were filled Sunday night mostly with tourists.

A white stage was reserved for dancers wearing form-fitting, brightly colored dresses that showed off enough cleavage and leg to entice customers to dig deep in their wallets.

It was in this one-story, windowless, brick building with a cheesy neon sign on top that 11 Secret Service agents assigned to protect the President ended up embarrassing their country all for a little fun and flesh, local sources told the Daily News.

Drinking beers and whisky that range in price from 40,000 to 150,000 pesos ($24 to $84) for bottle service, the agents had their pick of young girls with long, black and brown hair and lots of makeup.

“The gringos got rowdy at the bar. They drank fine whisky and slept with the prettiest ones, the ones that charge 300,000 pesos (about $180),” one club worker told the El Heraldo newspaper of Cartagena. “Some did not want to pay. To make it worse, they almost beat up employees who wanted them to pay up.”

Despite the newspaper report, confirmed by locals, Juan Carlos, manager of the club, insisted as far as he knows, the agents never set foot in his premises.

But he was quick to explain the ground rules for buying more than a dance.

“The girls dance for the audience. They put on a show,” Carlos told The News. “Then, they walk around and talk to the guys. A dance can cost from 80,000 to 90,000 pesos.

“Then, if they like each other, they negotiate a deal,” he said. “The tourists come here and have a good time. We don’t let them mistreat the girls. They come to us if someone isn’t treating them right. Customers get drunk, but it never gets out of hand.”

The agents are accused of bringing their hookers back to the luxury Hotel Caribe in Cartagena and throwing a room-trashing tantrum like a rowdy rocker when confronted about not paying one of them for her services .

The latest twist in the embarrassing international scandal — which has thrust a spotlight on the agency responsible for watching Obama’s back — came as the President said he’s reserving his anger until all the facts are in.

But Obama surely won’t be pleased by details dug up by The News at the hotel, where the President and other world leaders met for an economic summit over the weekend.

A staffer at Hotel Caribe said one agent started tossing furniture and others pulled their badges to try to deflect the controversy when the hotel manager intervened for a prostitute who wasn’t paid.

“When the hotel manager showed up, one of the agents starting throwing chairs and tables around,” the staffer told The News.

The brouhaha prompted the manager to call local police, who were forced to make a report exposing the misconduct charges against the agents to the world.

“They were showing their badges saying, ‘Look, look who we are!’ ” the hotel staffer said. “He didn’t want to pay one of the girls. They had huge egos.”

Pley Club working girl Maria Jose, 34, said she’s often experienced johns not wanting to pay. “ A lot of us girls have to put up with tourists like that,” she said. “ It happens every day.”

Officials said 11 Secret Service agents, including two supervisors, embroiled in the South American shenanigans were yanked back home and are under investigation.

The agents were part of Obama’s security detail dispatched to Colombia to do advance work for the President’s three-day trip to the Summit of the Americas.

Obama arrived in the seaside city on Friday after the misbehavior imploded. Before heading back to Washington Sunday, the President said his faith in the Secret Service has not been rattled.

“What happened here in Colombia is being investigated by the director of the Secret Service,” Obama said at a joint press conference with Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos. “I expect that investigation to be thorough and I expect it to be rigorous.”

“If it turns out that some of the allegations that have been made in the press are confirmed, then, of course, I’ll be angry because my attitude with respect to the Secret Service personnel is no different than what I expect out of my delegation that’s sitting here,” Obama said. The Secret Service agents, most of whom are married, apparently went astray while partying in the Barrio el Bosque section of Cartagena, where prostitution is legal.

Experts say that even though hiring hookers is legal, it puts agents at risk of blackmail.

Jon Adler, president of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, said he has been told by sources close to the probe that an altercation involving the agents happened at a nightclub, but he refused to elaborate.

“I think the allegations are hype after the fact and in any case those questions should be left to the investigators to review, not the gossips,” Adler said.

Rep. Pete King (R-L.I.), chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, said he is conducting a parallel investigation in case there are any discrepancies.

“If there are, and if there needs to be further review, there might be hearings,” King said Sunday. “It would not be some kind of morality play, but looking at agents putting themselves in position where they could be compromised, and how to prevent it from happening again.”

Rep. Darrell Issa, chairman of a House investigative panel, vowed lawmakers will be looking “over the shoulder” of the Secret Service „to make sure that the agency isn’t endangering the nation’s VIPs.

“Things like this don’t happen once if they didn’t happen before,” said Issa (R-Calif.), who leads the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

Meanwhile, five U.S. Defense Department service members have also been accused of the misconduct in Cartagena and confined to their base.

The U.S. Southern Command said in a statement Sunday that the service members “violated the curfew established by the United States senior defense official in Colombia and may have been involved in inappropriate conduct.”

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/secret-service-hooker-hot-spot-eleven-agents-assigned-protect-president-found-girls-prey-club-sources-article-1.1062230#ixzz1sTX00oDQ

Sandra Hernandez – As far as international diplomatic meetings go, the Summit of the Americas in the Colombian seaside city of Cartagena that concluded last weekend may not have produced any memorable initiatives or free-trade agreements, at least not as part of the official agenda.

U.S. Secret Service agents walk around Cartagena, Colombia, days before the launch of the Summit of the Americas. (Fernando Llano / Associated Press / April 14, 2012)

But unofficially, the summit managed to grab headlines after allegations surfaced that U.S. Secret Service agents assigned to pre-arrival security detail for President Obama may have engaged in misconduct, including hiring prostitutes.

The scandal broke after one woman felt shortchanged and complained that an agent who took her back to his Cartagena hotel failed to pay for services performed, according to published accounts.

Prostitutes walk a street of the old city, as heads of state met for the Americas Summit in Cartagena April 14, 2012. Headlines from this weekend’s gathering of more than 30 heads of state have focused on an embarrassing scandal after members of U.S. President Barack Obama’s security detail were caught with prostitutes in historic Cartagena. Picture taken April 14. Reuters

The scandal has left military officials red-faced, and some in Congress are demanding a fuller inquiry. Clearly, questions about security breaches are legitimate. As are some reports that suggest the men boasted they were providing security for the American delegation at the summit. It seems the operative word in the job description — secret — was not followed.

But it’s interesting to note that at least one group is taking issue with their alleged role in the sex scandal. Escort clubs in Colombia are legal in some areas, including in parts of Cartagena.

Some newspaper reports have said that the American men met the women at El Pey Club, an escort club in Cartagena. Now an accountant at the club, Leonardo Quintero, is questioning whether the agents in fact visited the club. Quintero told the Miami Herald that El Pey has a pay-before-you-play policy, and thus a fight over money sounded unlikely.

Other employees at other clubs also defended their business practices.

One man, identified only as Fabio, an employee of the Prepago 1000, or Prepaid 1000 club, told the paper that patrons of reputable clubs just don’t get “those kind of surprises.”

Odd that Cuba and/or Venezuela have not openly been accused of orchestrating the Secret Service/DOD Cartagena sexual honey pot — an entrapment long employed by spy services against the US and its allies, as well as by the US and its allies. Neither CU nor VZ took part in the Cartagena conference where the US failed to get approval for continued Cuba sanctions considered by Latin Americans to be US-Monroe Doctrine abusive.

Senator Collins has raised the possibility of a trap but will likely be briefed into silence. Neither Democrats or Republicans want to open this top secret Pandora’s Box (excuse the pun).

The Open Government Partnership conference in Brasilia which followed Cartagena also camouflaged with triple-crossing „openness“ the legacy of Monroe Doctrine covert operations in Latin America to enforce hemispheric hegemony with stealth and bribery.

The chances are high that the sexual entrapment was a CU/VZ counterspy operation against the nest of spies operating in Cartagena, and that White House and Congressional investigations will perfectly cloak the dust-up as it has since President Monroe ordered the standard deception in 1823.