Colin Powell
Secretary of State
United States Department of State
Washington, DC 20520
RE:
Theodore Maher
United States Special Forces Paratrooper
Dear Mr. Secretary of State:
On behalf of United States Paratroopers and British Paras I would like to bring to your attention what we feel is unjust treatment of Theodore Maher who has been incarcerated in a Monaco jail since December 3, 1999 for the asphyxiation death of Edward Safra and his nurse.
We have been advised, and it is public record, that Theodore's wife, Heidi and her brother were kidnapped by what we believe were Monaco Police, passports confiscated and used by interrogators to coerce Theodore into signing a confession written in French. Theodore does not speak nor write French.
We realize the State Department is currently aware of this international dilemma. We are also aware that many Americans have followed this story on NBC and ABC TV specials and in Vanity Fair and Glamour Magazine articles, and many have voiced interest in this case. They feel, as I do, that Theodore should either be charged or released. A year and ten months is ample time to investigate and determine if there is evidence to charge and try him.
Enclosed is a newspaper article from "The Mail on Sunday", a British newspaper dated June 19, 2001, which interviews an ex-SAS Padre, Father Fred Preston. Father Preston has visited Theodore on several occasions in Monaco's jail and has openly criticized Monaco Authorities for what he feels is a clean-cut American Ex-Green Beret being caught up in large, corrupt banking doing business with corrupt International Governments and criminals. Safra's widow, Lily Safra has buried two husbands who suspiciously died and left her large inheritances and who now stands to inherit three billion dollars due to Safra's death. This plus authorities using Gestapo tactics adds up to, no doubt, unfair treatment of our Airborne Comrade and friend.
Theodore Maher has a wife and 3 small children. He, his wife and children live in a modest community in Connecticut. He is an Ex-Green Beret who honorably served his country for 5 years. Theodore has demonstrated in his life, good, honest and responsible behavior. I, and others demand the State Department not let this young man and his family be flushed down the drain and be used as a scapegoat by the corrupt, to cover up for the real people responsible for Safra's death.
I enclose a petition signed by hundreds of United States and British Paratroopers who want you to strongly protest Theodore's extended incarceration and corrupt Gestapo tactics used by Monaco's authorities.
I thank you for your time and for the fine job you are doing, and commend you for your great service to our great nation.
Yours Truly
Airborne All The Way!
Raymond P. Gilbert, B.A.
Chairman--Blue Ridge All Airborne
National Director--82d Airborne Division Association
Cc:
The Parachute Regiment Association, London Branch
Congressman David Phelps
Congressman Benjamin A. Gilman
Congressperson Sue Kelly
Senator John Warner
Senator George Allen