Tuesday, January 31, 2012

White House installs 'Secure Line' to Dennis Ross' WINEP/ AIPAC office!

"...two independent sources approached me – one an Israeli academic, and the second a U.S. official. Both sources divulged a small, but very significant detail that clarified just how much Ross is still involved in framing U.S. policy regarding Israel and the Middle East.
Apparently, a short while after Ross left his position in the Obama administration, the White House made an unusual request to install a secure phone line in Ross' office at the Washington Institute. The secure line is known in Israel as a "red phone", which could be used to discuss confidential information without the risk of wiretapping...
For unknown reasons, Ross’ strange work arrangement is kept secret both by him and the White House. But the publication of the news brought up the issue of Ross’ position during the Department of State’s daily briefing last Friday. Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland stated that not only is Ross advising the president, he is also part of a formal arrangement.
"Dennis Ross is now a private citizen, but he also has an association with the White House as an unpaid advisor,” Nuland told journalists during the briefing. So I’m going to send you to the White House in terms of…those details.”
During his visit to Israel last week, Ross met secretly with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as well as with his advisor Yitzhak Molho. American officials estimated that Ross’ talks with Netanyahu are on behalf of President Obama, and part of a channel of communication that bypasses the government...."

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