"How many fingers do want to lose before you tell me what you know?"
Posted on 03/06/2007 3:16:21 AM PST by markomalley
The disappearance of a former Iranian spy chief has raised speculation he has been kidnapped by Mossad or the CIA.
Ali Reza Azkari, 63, who headed Iran’s intelligence operation in Lebanon in the 1990s liaising with the local Shia militia, Hizbollah, went missing last month during a routine visit to Istanbul.
One report said after leaving Teheran he never made it to the Istanbul hotel where a room had been reserved in his name. Another account said he arrived in Istanbul but then disappeared, leaving luggage still in his hotel room.
With his whereabouts unknown, one theory circulating today is that he had been kidnapped either by Mossad or the CIA. His experience and background would make him a highly attractive target for both agencies.
But another theory reported in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz is that he might have defected.
For a senior Iranian military official to fall into the hands of Israel or the west is a tantalising thought at a time when western intelligence agencies are eager for any inside knowledge of the current Iranian defence establishment. He could provide key information about Iran’s role in supporting the Shia militias in Iraq.
Washington has grown increasingly angry at Teheran’s willingness to supply weapons and know-how to insurgents that have been used to kill US soldiers serving in Iraq.
The stand-off over Iran’s nuclear programme is underscored by a fundamental lack of good intelligence on exactly what technology Iran actually possesses and when it might be able to construct a nuclear weapon.
Any intelligence that would help Israel or the west fill in those important blanks would have direct bearing on whether an armed strike is launched against Iran.
America has warned that as regards stopping Iran acquiring nuclear weapons "all options remain on the table", which is diplomatic code for a military threat.
As would be expected for any senior spook, little is known about Gen Azkari’s career although he served as deputy defence minister under defence minister General Ali Samahani.
If Mossad does have him, he will be under pressure to shed light on that fate of Ron Arad, an Israeli combat pilot missing since he was shot down in 1986 over Lebanon.
It is understood Hizbollah militiamen might have passed him up the chain of command to their Iranian handlers. One report said Gen Azkari went missing on Feb 7 after failing to arrive in Istanbul after leaving Damascus.
There has been no official Iranian statement on the reported affair although there have been reports Iran sent a delegation of officials to Turkey last week to investigate the incident.
"How many fingers do want to lose before you tell me what you know?"
>>With his whereabouts unknown, one theory circulating today is that he had been kidnapped either by Mossad or the CIA.
Let's hope so.
He's on a waterboarding vacation.
I love surfing! Hope he enjoys his vacation.
Lured to the water by a nice Israeli girl for a little boating action, well he's a bit tired of agua about now.
That's too bad.
My money says he is comfortably accommodated in a plush safe house, eating well, enjoying nice long chats about the state of affairs in Iran with several very friendly people who happen to be his reciprocals in the various intel groups.
Just filling in the details. Finally taking advantage of some long tendered offers.
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