Panama tries to arrest CIA agent on Interpol warrant, USA flies him to safety.

[HiPointDem]

Retired CIA agent Robert Seldon Lady, convicted in absentia in Italy for a rendition/kidnapping operation, is picked up in Panama on an Interpol warrant, hits the news for a day, and then is allowed to fly back to the U.S. where he disappears — and despite the Edward Snowden case, the Washington media doesn’t even blink...

The CIA’s station chief in Milan back in 2003, he had achieved brief notoriety for overseeing a la dolce vita version of extraordinary rendition as part of Washington’s Global War on Terror. His colleagues kidnapped Hassan Mustafa Osama Nasr, a radical Muslim cleric and terror suspect, off the streets of Milan, and rendered him via U.S. airbases in Italy and Germany to the torture chambers of Hosni Mubarak’s Egypt. Lady evidently rode shotgun on that transfer...

They left behind such a traceable trail of five-star-hotel and restaurant bills, charges on false credit cards, and unencrypted cell phone calls that the Italian government tracked them down, identified them, and charged 23 of them, Lady included, with kidnapping.

Lady fled Italy, leaving behind a multimillion-dollar villa near Turin meant for his retirement. (It was later confiscated and sold to make restitution payments to Nasr.) Convicted in absentia in 2009, Lady received a nine-year sentence (later reduced to six). He had by then essentially vanished after admitting to an Italian newspaper, “Of course it was an illegal operation. But that’s our job. We’re at war against terrorism.”

Last week, the Panamanians picked him up. It was the real world equivalent of a magician’s trick. He was nowhere, then suddenly in custody and in the news, and then — poof again! — he wasn’t. Just 24 hours after the retired CIA official found himself under lock and key, he was flown out of Panama, evidently under the protection of Washington, and in mid-air, heading back to the United States, vanished a second time.

State Department spokesperson Marie Harf told reporters on July 19th, “It’s my understanding that he is in fact either en route or back in the United States.” So there he was, possibly in mid-air heading for the homeland and, as far as we know, as far as reporting goes, nothing more. Consider it the CIA version of a miracle. Instead of landing, he just evaporated.

And that was that. Not another news story here in the U.S.; no further information from government spokespeople on what happened to him, or why the administration decided to extricate him from Panama and protect him from Italian justice. Nor, as far as I can tell, were there any further questions from the media...

In this same period, there was, of course, another man who almost magically disappeared...when it comes to Snowden, official Washington can’t shut up.... The world has repeatedly been lectured from the bully pulpit in our national capital on how necessary his return and trial is to freedom, justice, and global peace. Snowden, it seems, represents the opposite of a magician’s trick. He can’t disappear even when he wants to. Washington won’t let him, not now, not — as officials have made clear — ever. It’s a matter of morality that he faces the law and pays the (already preordained) price for his “crime.” This, in today’s Washington, is what passes for a self-evident truth.

Don’t make the mistake, however, of comparing Washington’s positions on Snowden and Lady and labeling the Obama administration’s words and actions “hypocrisy.” There’s no hypocrisy involved. This is simply the living definition of what it means to exist in a one-superpower world for the first time in history. For Washington, the essential rule of thumb goes something like this: we do what we want; we get to say what we want about what we do; and U.N. ambassadorial nominee Samantha Powers then gets to lecture the world on human rights and oppression.

http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2013/07/tom-engelhardt-edward-snowden-vs-robert-seldon-lady-show-how-our-one-superpower-world-works.html

[former9thward]

1. Taking American foreign aid comes with a price.

Always has.

[JDPriestly]

52. Who is taking foreign aid? And how much? What are you talking about? Do you have a link?

[former9thward]

78. Panama is taking it.

What country did you think I was posting about when the OP is about Panama? Here is a link from the foreign aid agency. http://gbk.eads.usaidallnet.gov/query/do?_program=/eads/gbk/tablesByCountry&cocode=5PAN

If you take aid then the U.S. government is going to be able to pull your lease when you want. And that does not even consider business interests.

[Cali_Democrat]

2. Convicted in absentia and received a 9 year sentence?

That's ridiculous. I wonder how people would feel if Snowden was convicted in absentia and sentenced to a long prison term? Surely the author of this article and others outraged by this article would support Snowden being apprehended via Interpol warrant if he were convicted in absentia.

[Savannahmann]

3. Well, some of you would cheer, and demand that Snowden get to prison now.

Some of us would argue that it was improper. But it's important to note that Lady was charged under Italian Law for Kidnapping and Torture. Surely you would agree those are serious charges. Those are real crimes, not some ones and zeros that were copied.

I thought so many of you wanted to see Justice served. Why wasn't Lady returned to Italy on a warrant? Why aren't the law and order types now demanding the Government return this guy who organized the kidnapping of an innocent man, and the torture of same innocent man be punished and face justice?

[Cali_Democrat]

5. I just think convicting people in absentia and sentencing them to prison is absurd

I would not cheer that. People have to be present in court IMO. If for whatever reason they aren't present, there's no way the process should proceed.

[Hydra]

9. What about Osama Bin Laden? n/t

[Cali_Democrat]

11. Was Bin Laden ever convicted in US federal court in absentia?

Maybe I missed it.

[Hydra]

28. Back in the bad old days of the Bush Admin, someone told me they had

According to some googling, they did a grand jury and case against him, convicting him in abstentia for terrorism previous to 9/11. Oddly, no legal proceeding regarding 9/11 itself...probably because if all the facts were known, Bush and Cheney would be in line for treason.

Mind you, I think abstentia is a bad idea, even in Lady's case, but it happens when it's clear the person is out of easy reach for extradition.

[HiPointDem]

16. ira einhorn was convicted in absentia. also i believe a bunch of supposed terrorists were

effectively convicted in absentia, also executed on the basis of those convictions, by this administration.

other people convicted by US courts in absentia include andrew luster.

When questioned, Einhorn told police that Maddux had left to go to the store but never came back. Eighteen months later on March 28, 1979, Maddux's decomposing corpse was found by police in a trunk stored in a closet in Einhorn's apartment...Einhorn's bail was reduced to $40,000 at the request of his attorney Arlen Specter; Einhorn was released from custody in advance of his trial by paying 10% of the bond's value, or $4,000. This bail was paid, not by Einhorn, but by Barbara Bronfman, a Montreal socialite and one of the many people Einhorn had convinced into supporting him financially.

In 1981, just days before his murder trial was to begin, Einhorn skipped bail and fled to Europe. Einhorn traveled in Europe for the next 17 years, along the way marrying a Swedish woman named Annika Flodin. Back in Pennsylvania, as Einhorn had already been arraigned, the state convicted him in absentia in 1993 for the murder of Maddux. Einhorn was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ira_Einhorn

[Cali_Democrat]

17. I know conviction in absentia happens. That's not my point

My point is that the defendant should be in court to defend themselves before the legal process should proceed.

That's MY opinion.

[think]

31. He fled from Italy to avoid prosecution and admitted to the Italian press

he'd broke the law before leaving. And by broke the law meaning he helped kidnap and torture people.

And don't worry he'll never have to go to jail. We just made sure of that...

[Cali_Democrat]

32. And Snowden fled the US to avoid prosecution

He broke the law before leaving by releasing classified docs which is illegal.

Right?

If Snowden was convicted and sentenced in absentia, how would you feel?

[think]

34. Yes,it would bother me that a whistleblower would be prosecuted in absentia

If he had kidnapped and tortured people that would be a different story wouldn't it.....

[reusrename]

71. It's a pretty simple legal construct.

The typical scenario involves a defendant who flees midtrial, fully aware that he or she is supposed to show up in court each and every day. Rule 43 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure clearly states that a defendant waives the right to be present if he's "voluntarily absent after the trial has commenced." (Most state rules on trials in absentia are similarly worded.) A bail jumper like Luster, who forfeited his $1 million bond by walking out of a California courthouse during a recess, certainly fits into that category.

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/explainer/2003/06/when_can_a_defendant_be_tried_in_absentia.html

It could definitely be argued that Snowden would be "voluntarily absent" and so it isn't that hard to justify a trial in absentia for his case.

It won't ever happen. They have to have him in US custody in order to gag him. He would be free to continue to speak to the press and the public. The US government would never go for that arrangement.

[JDPriestly]

55. He will, no doubt, receive a generous government pension for his "service."

[Savannahmann]

29. I may agree with you however...

The scrams that Snowden must return to the United States all stem from the argument he has a warrant out for him. Despite the fact that we have no extradition treaty with Russia, that is not the problem. The problem is he must return, because he has a warrant out. There was and is a warrant out for Lady. Panama has signed extradition treaties. So Panama was technically legally required to return Lady to Italy.

Now, you can argue, and I'm sure many would agree that trial in absentia is improper. However, since we are doing it, and we are doing it in Guantanamo Bay Cuba, even today, yes this very year. The accused was prevented from attending a pre trial evidence hearing because the information was considered secret, so the Judge agreed that the accused would not be in the court room.

That is as bad as absentia wouldn't you agree?

My point is this. The Law and Order types all scream that you should stand trail for your crimes. But the reason Lady was tried in absentia, is despite buying a villa to retire to, one that was seized and sold to reimburse the innocent man they kidnapped, and tortured, he fled the country to avoid trial. So where is the outrage?

I think the Government should not be doing these things. They should not be spying on people. The Government should not be lying to the people, and should not be kidnapping and torturing people. The thin gauze of war on terror is bullshit. You know it, and I know it.

I appreciate the Whistle blowers like Snowden and Manning showing us a glimpse of a sliver of what is really going on. Because the truth is sadly lacking in far too many minds of the people. Now, with Manning and Snowden, our dedicated public servants have had to admit that they are telling the least untruthful lie under oath possible.

So we know they are lying, we need to know the truth. For some reason, the truth is the one thing we're not allowed to know ever.

So yes, I think it's funny that Lady has lost his villa. I think it's funny he had to flee Italy to avoid capture, trial, conviction, and imprisonment for his crimes. I think it is hilarious that a CIA team was caught and held accountable to some slight extent for the crimes they committed under the guise of defending the nation. But what really makes me laugh, is the way the law and order types are all so quick to ignore, or argue the opposite when the CIA is the ones running from Justice.

If people on here were not daily telling us how awful Snowden was for exposing those secrets while far worse things are being done by the Government every day I probably wouldn't get as much enjoyment from the image. But since so many, like yourself, are convinced that Snowden is a bastard, Greenwald is a liar, and have wrapped the argument in the law and order justice must be served clique, then yes. I find it hilarious.

So keep posting about how Snowden must come home to face Justice, while ignoring the escape of the CIA team from facing justice for the last decade, and we will keep laughing at the transparent arguments you all make.

[Cali_Democrat]

51. So you say Lady was tried in absentia because he fled Italy

Didn't Snowden do the same thing? Didn't he flee to avoid prosecution just like Lady?

[Savannahmann]

57. So try him in absentia

It's not like he'll get a more fair trial anyway.

[Cali_Democrat]

59. How would you feel if Snowden was tried and convicted and sentenced to prison in absentia?

[Savannahmann]

62. Much better actually.

At least in absentia, he wouldn't be tortured like Manning was. At least in absentia, he wouldn't be held incommunicado like Manning and the Gitmo prisoners are. The result of the trial would be exactly the same, except that Snowden would be free to keep telling us what the Government is terrified of us all finding out.

However, that won't happen. If they can't grab him, they'll eventually assassinate him.

So the question remaining is how do you feel about the CIA team kidnapping, and holding in various black prison sites, and torturing an innocent man?

[Cali_Democrat]

64. I'm opposed to black prison sites and torture.

[reusrename]

73. Exactly, he would be free to speak to the press and the public.

That's the real reason why he won't be tried in absentia. He has to be in US custody in order to gag him. The main interest in getting into US custody is to silence him. They could care less about a trial. They would prefer indefinite detention for him.

I honestly don't understand why some of these folks don't see what is happening right in front of their own lyin' eyes.

[OnyxCollie]

44. Anwar Al-Awlaki was tried in absentia in a Yemeni court.

Didn't that put a smile on your face?

Awlaki's trial begins in absentia
http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/awlakis-trial-begins-in-absentia/article865014.ece

Yemen has charged American-born Islamic cleric Anwar Al Awlaki of incitement and plotting to murder foreigners during a trial in absentia that began on Tuesday in Sanaa.

However, Yemeni authorities have stressed that once captured, they would not handover the cleric to the Americans.

Mr. Al Awlaki was charged after trial opened for 19-year-old Hisham Muhammad Asim, who has been accused for killing a French national and injuring a British citizen during an October 6 attack outside Sanaa.

The prosecutor during the trial sought to link Mr. Asim to the cleric and his cousin Osman Al Awlaki. He said that Mr. Asim had acknowledged that Mr. Al Awlaki had incited him to kill foreigners by passing internet messages. The prosecutor added that Anwar Al Awlaki’s cousin Osman Al- Awlaki had brought the accused in contact with the radical cleric.

...

At least Yemen gave Al Awlaki a trial; the US simply assassinated him. (His 16 year old son was killed in a separate attack, though "not intentionally targeted." What a coincidence!)

[Cali_Democrat]

46. Did that put a smile on my face?

Nope. Like I said, conviction and sentencing in absentia is ridiculous in my opinion.

[OnyxCollie]

47. What about assassination w/out a trial?

[Cali_Democrat]

49. I'm utterly opposed to summary executions

[OnyxCollie]

50. Well, you're consistent in your opinion.

I will give you that.

Have a good evening.

[Fumesucker]

4. Snowden hasn't been convicted of anything and you want him apprehended

You certainly have left no doubt about that at all.

And yet you are quibbling over another case where the legal niceties have already been fulfilled, the suspect found guilty and the legal punishment determined.

Funny how that works, innit?

[Cali_Democrat]

6. Apprehension is not conviction. I don't think the Federal govt will convict him in absentia.

The double standard I see is on the part of the Snowden fans. It's OK for Italy to convict and sentence someone in absentia, but the US better not do that or they are violating the rule of law, right?

Conviction and sentencing in absentia is absurd.

How would you feel if Snowden was convicted and sentenced in absentia? You and a bunch of others would likely throw a shit fit and you damn well know it.

Funny how that works, innit?

[Fumesucker]

8. I believe Italy has a somewhat different legal system than the US

Is it your contention that the Italian government broke Italian law in order to convict Lady?

[Cali_Democrat]

10. I'm not familiar with Italian law

Obviously they did convict him in absentia so I guess it's possible, that doesn't mean I have to agree with it.

To me, it's lame. The legal process should not proceed if the defendant not isn't even present in court.

Perhaps you're cheering this specific instance because of the CIA actions. However, if someone like Snowden were convicted in absentia, methinks you would be singing a different tune.

Funny how that works, innit?

[Fumesucker]

12. Where did I cheer anything?

I'm not nearly as emotionally wrapped up in all this as you are.

[Cali_Democrat]

13. Oh trust me....you would throw a shit fit if Snowden was convicted in absentia

But in the case of the CIA agent, it's just dandy.

Funny how that works, innit?

[Fumesucker]

14. You have more OPs on Snowwald than I have total posts on the entire subject of Snowwald and NSA

[Cali_Democrat]

15. Conviction and sentencing of a CIA agent in absentia is OK!

Conviction and sentencing of Snowden in absentia? That would be awful!

Funny how that works, innit?

[Fumesucker]

20. Where did I say that?

Quotes please.

Do you have information which so much as hints that Italy is not a democracy or that the Italian government broke Italian law?

[Cali_Democrat]

23. LOL. Where did I say Italy was not a democracy or the Italian govt broke Italian law?

You're funny.

[Fumesucker]

25. It has been your contention for some time now that the law is the law

I haven't expressed an opinion as to what should happen with Snowden or what he should do, you're welcome to look if you wish. I'm ambivalent about a lot of things, Snowden being some of them.

You on the other hand have expressed remarkably vigorously that the law must be upheld for Snowden.

Which of course means you think the law should be upheld for everyone, convenient or not. There's a word that comes to mind for any other position you might take in that regard.

[Cali_Democrat]

30. You think you know a lot about me. I'm flattered. I honestly don't even know who you are.

Maybe we've had conversations in the past, maybe we haven't. But you're obviously not a very interesting or memorable poster or I would have remembered you. You're kind of just floating in the background, following the herd.

However, I am indeed flattered that you think you know so much about me.

Cheers!

[Fumesucker]

33. Oh, you're memorable all right

To the point every time I see a Snowwald OP I check and 90% of the time it's one of about six or seven posters, you being one of them.

And I don't care whether I attract attention or not, unlike some around here my ego does not need that much stroking.

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, thanks.

[Cali_Democrat]

35. Thank you again for letting me know my posts are memorable

That's my goal, obviously. I want to leave a mark and it's working.

You on the other hand....perhaps I might remember you after this, but I doubt it. I never see any interesting OPs from you.

[Fumesucker]

36. It's good to have goals, we all have a purpose in life

Even if it's only to leave memorably stinky skid marks on DU.

[Cali_Democrat]

37. So you don't like my posts

Good to know. That means I'm doing something right.

Cheers!

Now....go float in the background and follow the herd....something you do very well.

[Fumesucker]

39. You repeat yourself when you're flustered

[Cali_Democrat]

40. You think I'm flustered? Hahahahahaha

You wish

[Fumesucker]

43. After thinking about it a bit more I may have misjudged you

You are actually quite a good advocate for Snowden, your apparent irrational hatred for someone you've never met is quite remarkable and I rather strongly suspect that you are having an overall positive effect on the way people view him.

You can judge a man possibly better by his enemies than his friends.

Anyway, it's been fun chatting with you. Nitey nite.

[Cali_Democrat]

45. LOL. You really think you know me. I am honestly flattered

I hate Snowden? I am his enemy?

[HiPointDem]

21. US courts convict in absentia too. For example, if the defendant skips out on the trial, in some

jurisdictions.

e.g.

In 1985, 19 members of Los Macheteros were indicted for offenses associated with the Wells Fargo heist. Ojeda Ríos was captured as part of an FBI operation that took place following two years of surveillance on the group.

Ojeda Ríos was released on bond after his attorneys successfully argued he had been denied a speedy trial, although the delay in bringing him to trial was largely the result of defense motions. On 23 September 1990, the anniversary of the Grito de Lares, Ojeda Ríos cut off the electronic tag that had been placed on his ankle as a condition of his release, and became a fugitive... In July 1992 Ojeda Ríos was sentenced in absentia to 55 years in prison and fined $600,000 for his role in the Wells Fargo heist.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filiberto_Ojeda_R%C3%ADos

Ira einhorn was also convicted in absentia & sentenced to life:

In 1981, just days before his murder trial was to begin, Einhorn skipped bail and fled to Europe. Einhorn traveled in Europe for the next 17 years, along the way marrying a Swedish woman named Annika Flodin. Back in Pennsylvania, as Einhorn had already been arraigned, the state convicted him in absentia in 1993 for the murder of Maddux. Einhorn was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ira_Einhorn

[DevonRex]

7. By the Italian courts, no less. Amanda Knox, anyone? Lady sounds scummy

but the Knox case hasn't filled me with confidence re Italian justice. OTOH, I'd like the female op to be granted immunity. She did a good job. And something needs to happen to Lady.

[HiPointDem]

18. US courts can & do convict people in absentia. also sentence them to life sentences.

[Cali_Democrat]

19. And it's stupid and shouldn't happen unless the defendant is present.

[HiPointDem]

22. may be. but it's irrelevant to the OP.

[Cali_Democrat]

24. My opinion about conviction in absentia is not relevant to the OP....

which mentions the agent was convicted and sentenced in absentia?

[HiPointDem]

26. no. you're just engaged in diversion.

[Cali_Democrat]

27. LOL

[Cali_Democrat]

41. Nice edit almost 20 minutes after my post

Diversion? The entire point is that he was convicted and sentenced in absentia and he's wanted in Italy.

My discussion of his prosecution and conviction in absentia is very relevant.

[HiPointDem]

42. so what? i wasn't trying to hide it, the times are there for you & everyone else to see.

you are doing nothing but throwing up crap in hopes of diverting people from the point. as usual.

the US convicts people in absentia. the US convicts people without trial & kills them. and the US doesn't honor extradition requests of other countries for its favored operatives and murderers.

here's another edit for you: the OP was about the US government's hypocrisy. which is similar to your own, when you try to divert the discussion away from hypocrisy & turn it into a discussion of another countries supposedly terrible judicial practices.

But as it turns out, Italy's law is much like US law in this respect: if defendants skip out on trials, they can be convicted in absentia. So your finger-pointing is irrelevant.

Get on with your next diversion, please.

[Cali_Democrat]

48. Way to miss my point. I never said the US didn't convict people in absentia

Telling me that the US did convict people in absentia is utterly pointless. I'm not disagreeing with you there, I'm simply stating my opinion that a defendant should be present in court before the legal process should proceed.

This thread is more about hypocrisy from people like yourself. I can only imagine the banshee-like screaming if the US convicted and sentenced Snowden to prison in absentia.

You would go ballistic and you know it.

Hypocrisy at its finest.

Now...hopefully you won't edit your post 20 minutes after my reply.

[HiPointDem]

58. i can edit my posts anytime i please. everyone knows you're just diverting. and your

personal attacks on others for stupid things are in the same vein.

a laughingstock

[Cali_Democrat]

61. Like I said

Snowden fleeing prosecution? That's good.

Lady fleeing prosecution? How dare he.

Hypocrisy its finest.

[HiPointDem]

66. laughingstock

[HiPointDem]

67. if your aim is to make more people believe the US government & its operatives are just a gang

of thugs, good work

[Cali_Democrat]

70. No...I'm merely point out the hypocrisy emanating from people like yourself

Snowden fleeing prosecution? Good.

Lady fleeing prosecution? Bad.

[HiPointDem]

72. you're just doing crap diversion like the rest of your gang & i won't engage with it again.

[Cali_Democrat]

74. You won't answer my question because it would directly reveal your hypocrisy

And now you're throwing a tantrum.

[Cali_Democrat]

69. LOL

[JDPriestly]

53. The point is that Lady was helped to escape extradition and a trial, yet the US

insists that Snowden should return for a trial. What hypocrisy. I don't think that Lady should have been convicted if he was not present to face his accusers, but I also think that if we assist a suspect of a felony to escape and thus avoid prosecution, we cannot complain when some other country assists some suspect our country wants to try for a felony and grants that person asylum.

We cannot expect other countries to respect our laws if we don't respect theirs.

[Cali_Democrat]

56. The hypocrisy I see...

is from the people cheering Snowden for fleeing the US while insisting Lady should return to Italy.

Both escaped to avoid prosecution, but when Snowden did it...it's OK. When Lady did it, it was bad.

[HiPointDem]

60. except no one has been insisting lady return to italy. possibly because the media & government,

for some strange reason, haven't been talking about it 24/7 as they have with snowden. in fact, they haven't been talking about it at all.

throw up some more diversionary crap & see if it sticks, though.

you're so good at it

EDIT!!!!!!!!

The US government protects mass murderers and terrorists from extradition:

Orlando Bosch Ávila was a Cuban exile terrorist, former Central Intelligence Agency-backed operative, and head of Coordination of United Revolutionary Organizations, which the FBI has described as "an anti-Castro terrorist umbrella organization". Former U.S. Attorney General Dick Thornburgh called Bosch an "unrepentant terrorist".[3] He was accused of taking part in Operation Condor and several other terrorist attacks, including the 6 October 1976 bombing of a Cuban civilian airliner in which all 73 people on board were killed, including many young members of a Cuban fencing team and five North Koreans.

Bosch was given safe haven within the US in 1990 by President George H. W. Bush, who in 1976 as head of the CIA had declined an offer by Costa Rica to extradite Bosch.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orlando_Bosch

not the only one, either.

[Cali_Democrat]

63. Wait? From your OP...

I assumed you felt Lady should have been arrested in Panama and extradited to Italy.

You don't think Panama should have extradited him to Italy?

[HiPointDem]

65. since you missed the edit: the US protects mass murderers and terrorists from extradition:

Orlando Bosch Ávila was a Cuban exile terrorist, former Central Intelligence Agency-backed operative, and head of Coordination of United Revolutionary Organizations, which the FBI has described as "an anti-Castro terrorist umbrella organization".[2] Former U.S. Attorney General Dick Thornburgh called Bosch an "unrepentant terrorist".[3] He was accused of taking part in Operation Condor and several other terrorist attacks, including the 6 October 1976 bombing of a Cuban civilian airliner in which all 73 people on board were killed, including many young members of a Cuban fencing team and five North Koreans. The bombing is alleged to have been plotted at a 1976 meeting in Washington, D.C. attended by Bosch, Luis Posada Carriles, and DINA agent Michael Townley. At the same meeting, the assassination of Chilean former minister Orlando Letelier is alleged to have been plotted.

Bosch was given safe haven within the US in 1990 by President George H. W. Bush, who in 1976 as head of the CIA had declined an offer by Costa Rica to extradite Bosch.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orlando_Bosch

not the only mass murderer or terrorist the US has given safe haven, either.

hypocrite lecteur

[Cali_Democrat]

68. You didn't answer my question and instead you posted about Mr. Avila

Its interesting, I do think Avila should have been extradited. Now....do you think Lady should have been arrested in Panama and extradited to Italy?

[DeSwiss]

38. Your tax dollars at work.

- K&R

“We may not always get what we want, but we always get what we choose. Therefore, choose wisely” ~Anon

[99th_Monkey]

54. K & R ~ nt

[darkangel218]

75. I dont get it.

Where is this guy now?

[malaise]

76. Rumsfeld and Cheney told us as much n/t

[Baitball Blogger]

77. Funny how the "it was war" excuse never holds up during peace time if the premise

was weak to begin with.