Intel summit overshadowed by fund concern (Conference Iraq WMDs)

WASHINGTON, DC, United States (UPI) -- U.S. intelligence officials are being warned about attending a conference this weekend where organizers plan to release audio tapes of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein discussing his illegal weapons programs -- because of concerns about one of the event`s underwriters.

The Intelligence Summit, a privately organized conference and exhibition being held this weekend in Arlington, Va., boasts that it 'is intended to be the most prestigious world conference on international studies, intelligence policy, terrorism, and homeland security.'

Until recently the event had two former CIA directors on its board of advisors, and touted a number of government officials as speakers or moderators.

But questions about one of the conference`s sponsors, Russian-Israeli millionaire Michael Cherney -- denied a visa to the United States because of what the State Department said was concern about 'unlawful activity' -- were raised with the National Counterintelligence Executive earlier this year.

In an unclassified, For Official Use Only document, the executive -- the counterintelligence policy arm of the new director of national intelligence -- circulated information about the event, including about Cherney`s background, throughout the U.S. government, according to an official who had seen it.

'There was certainly nothing to say people can`t go,' said the official But he added that 'just knowing he was denied a visa (for that reason), that is a cause for concern. Any U.S. government official might want to think twice about associating with an event underwritten by someone like that.'

A State Department official confirmed that Cherney had been denied a U.S. visa in August 2003, under Section 212 of the Immigration and National Act, which bars entry to 'Any alien who a consular officer or the Attorney General knows, or has reasonable ground to believe, seeks to enter the United States to engage solely, principally, or incidentally in... any ... unlawful activity.'

Conference organizer John Loftus, in a wide-ranging and detailed defense of Cherney posted on the event`s Web site in December, says that the millionaire businessman, who emigrated to Israel from Russia after making a fortune in smelting, was framed by the Russian mob as part of an extortion scheme.

He told UPI there was 'a smear campaign' being run against Cherney, which had led to an effective ban on U.S. officials` participating.

Loftus said one official slated to speak at the event, Mark Bellamah, deputy director for operations at U.S. intelligence`s newly minted Open Source Center, said he had been told not to attend by superiors in the office of Director of National Intelligence John Negroponte.

'He told me, `I am sorry, I have been told not to come,`' said Loftus of Bellamah.

Bellemah did not return phone calls and a spokesman for Negroponte`s office declined to comment 'on any individual`s decisions about this event.'

An intelligence official authorized to speak to the media about the matter said decisions about attendance at such events was taken on a case-by-case basis. 'Each agency has it own regulations and procedures' that employees considering attending would have to follow, said the official. In general, decisions about whether an agency should pay fees for conferences like the Intelligence Summit 'take into account a range of factors.

'Is it a good use of government money? What is the cost? What is the duration? How much will the employee benefit?'

The official said counterintelligence issues would be one of the factors taken into account.

Within the last few days, Loftus said the two former CIA directors on the event`s advisory board -- R. James Woolsey and John Deutch -- had also withdrawn. 'The word is going out,' he said, 'The screw is being turned.'

Deutch and Woolsey`s departure was first reported by the New York Sun earlier this week.

Through an aide, Woolsey denied to UPI that he had been pressured, but said he had developed concerns about Cherney.

'I got new information this week about the funder from someone I know and whose judgment on these matters I trust,' he said in a statement provided to UPI. 'Based on that information I decided to withdraw. If Loftus is saying that anyone pressured me about this issue he is quite wrong.'

Deutch did not respond to phone or e-mail messages requesting comment about the matter.

Loftus said even private sector companies that had been planning to exhibit, attend or speak were pulling out because of pressure from Negroponte`s office.

He gave as an example V, LLC, a company that makes software designed to analyze speech patterns to detect deceit. 'They have jobs that depend on contracts from U.S. intelligence agencies,' he said. 'They have been told not to come.'

In an e-mail Loftus provided to UPI, the company`s General Counsel C. David Watson gives no reason for the pull-out. He did not respond to an e-mail message requesting comment.

Loftus has made far out claims in the past, but I have to believe that the parties that withdrew had to know this before they got involved in the first place. I don't believe the "Russian Mafia" connection as an excuse.

The most plausible explaination is that higher ups want Russian cooperation with the Iran problem and are not about to stir up problems with the Russians, however much they have it coming.

I think they are using Cherney as an excuse to bury the intelligence revealed at the summit, to make nice with the Russians so they will help with Iraq.

Interview with Gen. Paul Vallely on Fox News, Sunday am (typed from live feed, not checked yet for accuracy)

Total implication of a program run by a Russian and 2 Russian generals who worked with Saddams goverment before and after offensive began hand in hand to make sure that wmds were moved to syria....also two russian frieghters deep sixed wmds in the indian ocean. Well put together deception program.

Program to move thngs so that inspectors could not find anything. We have evidence that teams moved wmds out back door as we approached front door.

The only thing I can see here is that we are looking to the future and not trying to implicate Russia. But we need to let people know of their involvement.

(summary) Vallely on Fox this am.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.