White House remains silent on probe into alleged `mole'

WASHINGTON - The White House yesterday declined to comment on the investigation of an alleged Israeli "mole" in the Pentagon, or on its possible influence on the relations between the United States and Israel.

White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan said he could not refer to the inquiry, which was in process. He added: "Obviously any time there's an allegation of this nature, it's a serious matter."

However, on the eve of the Republican Convention, the affair may have a negative effect on President George Bush's campaign. Bush is constantly warding off accusations that he had gone to war in Iraq for the wrong reasons and on the basis of erroneous considerations. The new accusations to the effect that Israel managed to manipulate the U.S.'s pre-war considerations, would only strengthen the accusations against Bush.

At present the affair has not become the focus of political bashing between the two presidential candidates, among other things because not all its details are known and the precise suspicions against Larry Franklin are not clear. The American media reported the affair extensively, but reserved the main headlines for the approaching Republican Convention and for the terror threats in New York.

CBS set the tone when it first presented the affair exclusively in its Friday evening news as a dramatic espionage affair. Later television and press reports were more cautious. After the initial coverage, the media stressed that the whole business could end up with an accusation of improper handling of a classified document, and not with espionage charges.

The media also highlighted Israel's and AIPAC's comments, denying any involvement in the affair. In the absence of any new information, the affair is expected to disappear from the headlines temporarily in favor of the political events, until the FBI issues an official statement on the inquiry and its results.

The Department of Justice, which is in charge of the FBI, did not release any official comment on the probe and is expected to do so only after the investigation is completed.