CAPTURING JONATHAN POLLARD (REVIEW & COMMENTARY)

TITLE: CAPTURING JONATHAN POLLARD

AUTHOR: RONALD J. OLIVE, NISC (RET)

REVIEW & COMMENTARY BY CHARLES H. SULKA

(c) 2007, 2009 Charles H. Sulka

The book, CAPTURING JONATHAN POLLARD, by Ronald J. Olive
should be required reading for everyone involved in national
security affairs. This short but well-written book makes for
interesting reading, while revealing some tragic weaknesses in
this nation’s security apparatus.

First let me confess I was spellbound by the story of
Jonathan Pollard’s crimes. What impressed me most was the
description of the material Pollard sold to Israel, his primary
benefactor. The sheer volume of the material is mind-boggling:
hundreds of cubic feet of classified documents, enough to fill
several large rooms, stacked floor-to-ceiling. The stolen
documents contained some of the most sensitive materials of the
national security agencies. In the history of espionage there
have been only a few occasions where such a vast trove of
classified documents has been pilfered. Two cases come to
mind: the Israelis’ theft of the blueprints for the Mirage
fighter jet and that country’s theft of American nuclear weapons
designs–along with a huge cache of uranium.

Like most Americans, I had assumed that there were controls
in place to prevent anything like this from ever occurring. I
would have assumed that any document that a user accessed or
requested on their computer workstation could easily be tracked–
software for this purpose is readily available. Like the Aldrich
Ames case (Russian spy in the CIA) this incident shocked me
because not even the most basic safeguards were in place.

It is worth noting that Pollard was employed as a low-level
analyst assigned to one specific area (the Soviet Union), yet he
was able to obtain countless top-secret documents on a wide range
of unrelated topics. This by itself makes his case noteworthy.
Pollard was not a high-ranking manager with access to information
covering a wide array of top-secret programs, as were some of the
infamous spies in the CIA and FBI. He was an entry-level
employee who finagled a “courier” pass which accorded him
unlimited (and unsupervised) access to a vast array of national
security documents from various government agencies.

That Jonathan Pollard was a mental case should have been
obvious. In the book we are told that the NIS investigators
speculate that Pollard and his wife were using crack cocaine,
which could explain his increasingly bizarre behavior. However,
upon reflection, I have come to doubt that drugs were the primary
cause of Pollard’s weirdness, and certainly were not the cause
of his committing espionage. No evidence of drug use was found
when Pollard’s home, auto, and personal belongings were searched,
and the government’s (exceedingly thorough) examination of
Pollard’s finances show no drug purchases. The anecdotal
evidence of Pollard’s drug use is simply not convincing.
Finally, Pollard’s work habits–he was a “work-aholic”–are not
consistent with the use of illegal drugs over a long period of
time. Moreover, the use of chemical stimulants always leads
to obsessive paranoia, and Pollard was careless, even reckless–
he was anything but overly cautious. It should be acknowledged
that neither the government nor the author has made a convincing
case for Pollard’s suspected use of illicit drugs, although his
bizarre behavior does suggest such a possibility.

The doctors, psychologists, interviewers, supervisors,
and security personnel should all have seen the danger signs
in Pollard’s erratic behavior. They all rationalized Pollard’s
behavior as nothing more than eccentricity–an extreme danger
in a national security setting. Eccentricity is one of the
indicators of an unstable personality and should always be seen
as a warning sign, not an excuse. Stability and the ability
to keep a level head in confused situations are required of all
security personnel, even low-level analysts like Pollard.

It is frightening to think that someone who behaved in
such a bizarre manner could be allowed access to national
security material. Pollard’s bizarre behavior was legendary.
On one occasion he showed up late for a job interview (he had
applied for a promotion and transfer) disheveled and frazzled–
it was obvious he had not slept, showered, or changed clothes
for days. He claimed that IRA (Irish Republican Army) terrorists
had kidnapped his wife earlier in the week, and he had tracked
down the kidnappers and single-handedly won her release: as
preposterous a story as there ever was, and one which should have
been checked out, but was not. Nothing was done about Pollard’s
obvious mental problems. Had appropriate action been taken, his
treachery might have been exposed before so much damage had been
done. This story reaffirms the necessity of routine evaluation
of all high-level government employees–especially those involved
with national security materials–checking for financial
irregularities, substance abuse, gambling problems, mental
aberrations, emotional imbalance, criminal associations, deviant
sexual proclivities, and erratic behavior which could indicate
an unstable mental condition.

After his arrest, psychologists said that Jonathan Pollard
had a subconscious need for recognition. He had a need to be
famous, to be somebody, to be a celebrity, and it did not matter
to him whether he was known for good works or evil (yet he
insists on seeing himself as a hero, a saint even.) It has been
shown that certain (psychopathic) individuals have an unhealthy
desire to be the center of attention, even if this need for
attention leads to their own self-destruction. Pollard would
seem to fit this pattern.

Among a number of important insights to be gleaned from
this book is the recognition of the special dangers Jews pose
to the national security of the United States. (This problem
is not unique to the Jews–Moslems similarly pose a serious
threat to national security.) The danger from Jews in the
security services is probably best expressed by Pollard himself.
In a conversation with the author (NIS investigator Olive)
during an interview prior to his being sent to prison, Pollard
said,

          “Ron, you know the government shouldn’t give high
     clearances to Jewish people.”

          . . . “What are you talking about, Jonathan?”

          “It’s true,” he said, and launched into a theory
     about there being three classes of Jews: those who travel
     to the Holy Land one or more times a year; those who don’t
     or can’t travel there but give money and moral support; and
     finally, “Jews like me,” he said, “who can’t afford to
     travel to Israel or give money. When asked to help, we’re
     willing to do anything for the love of our country.”

Pollard’s wife (complicit in espionage but charged with
lesser offenses and given a lighter sentence) reiterated this
idea that “all Jews are spies for Israel” in her unrepentant
and defiant explanation of her part in the conspiracy in court,
in television and magazine interviews, and in her writings.

In the book, GIDEON’S SPIES, THE SECRET HISTORY OF
THE MOSSAD, by Gordon Thomas, the author shows how Israeli
security forces around the world make use of this network of
willing local volunteers like the Pollards. The simple fact
is, while there are some Jews who would never betray their
country (be it the USA or some other county) for the sake
of Israel, the vast majority consider it their duty to assist
the so-called Jewish state in any operations it has going on
in any country of the world. The proposition that “all Jews
are spies for Israel” must be taken seriously.

It is difficult to find a solution to this problem that
fits within a Constitutional framework, especially in light of
the effectiveness of the Jewish propaganda machine (the press)
and the political power of the Zionist lobby. For example,
constitutional scholars would probably find little problem with
the idea of a loyalty oath, but employment agreements in the
national security field already contain emphatic warnings of the
responsibilities and legal risks one takes in dealing with
classified materials. Employment agreements and loyalty oaths
have not proven to be an effective deterrent to espionage. By
not recognizing dual citizenship (or not allowing persons
claiming dual citizenship to work in national security
organizations) it may be that we could stop some of the potential
turncoats at the gates. But such measures will never stop the
committed spy. Only effective controls on classified materials
can prevent future incidents.

Political realities, especially in light of 9/11 and the
rise of Islamo-fascism, force us to accept a Faustian bargain
with Israel and the Jews in general. The simple fact is, the
state of Israel is one of our closest allies in the Holy Wars–
the war against Islamic jihadists (and the spread of virulent
Islam in general). Religious intolerance is the inspiration for
terrorist activity from a number of groups, from Islamic
jihadists to radical right-wing extremists here in America. On
the one hand, we cannot afford to sever ties with Israel, as our
intelligence services are dependent upon the Israeli’s
penetration of the Arab cultures and their governments–something
America could never hope to achieve on its own. On the other
hand, pragmatism should lead us to limit the Jews’ involvement
in national security activities and restrict their access to
classified materials. The author claims that our “ally” Israel
sold some of the most sensitive documents provided by Pollard to
this nation’s enemies, including the Russians, compromising some
of our most important intelligence operations.

Earlier examples of the Jews’ perfidy are worth noting.
Israel’s role in the Iran-Contra scandal has been downplayed by
the press, but in reality the sale of missiles to the Iranians
was a joint-venture with the Israelis. Indeed, the millions of
dollars in profits from the Reaganites’ foreign-policy initiative
were reportedly “laundered” through MOSSAD (Israeli) spy Robert
Maxwell (the London-based publisher and British MP), who gave the
money to a shady Russian General in the GRU (Soviet Military
Intelligence) for deposit in Ukrainian banks. It appears that
either the Russians absconded with Oliver North’s commissions
from the sale of missiles to Iran or Maxwell himself (accused of
numerous financial misdealings including pilfering the newspaper
employee’s retirement fund, and channeling the money to Israel)
tried to cheat his Israeli spymasters as well as his CIA
partners . . . one never knows for sure with spooks, especially
the MOSSAD. Maxwell’s suspicious death has been attributed to
retribution by the Israelis, which suggests that his MOSSAD
spymasters believed he was being less than totally honest in his
dealings with them. The joke in intelligence circles is that
Maxwell (who was obese) was taken out (murdered) because he got
to be “too big for his britches” (a double entendre on Israeli
tooth radio implants, which are referred to as dental “bridges”.)
In other words, Maxwell was lying through his teeth.

It is even possible that the United States might come to
need Israel as a beach-head for military operations in the
Middle East; there is no end in sight for the battle with
Islamo-fascism. In the meanwhile, Zionism serves to distract
the Moslems, diverting the attention of the enemies of freedom
and democracy who represent the greatest threat the world has
ever faced. If Israel were to cease to exist, this would remove
one thorn from the side of the Mohammedans, perhaps only to allow
them to turn their gaze westward, to us. For the Mohammedan
religion is a religion of conquest, of domination. Co-existence
with other religions and secular democracy are incompatible with
the basic tenets of this murderous faith. If nothing else,
Israel distracts the jihadists from their campaign against the
West. While Israel and Zionism pose unique problems for the
civilized world, Islamic fundamentalism poses a far more serious
threat. At the very least the democracies of the West can buy a
little time from the Arab world’s war games with Israel.

One of the most important insights the book has to offer
is the existence of one or more Israeli spies directing Pollard
from behind the scenes. It is obvious that the Israelis had
access to inside information about US classified programs.
Pollard was routinely given “shopping lists” of classified
documents by his handlers. The lists included the location and
identifying information of the desired documents, proving that
someone knew exactly what they were looking for. The press
speculated on the existence of a “Mr. X”, thought to be a traitor
within the security services. While Mr. X was never identified,
it is all but certain that there are other Israeli spies
operating at the highest levels in this nation’s security
services.

It is conceivable that the list of documents Israel wanted
Pollard to steal came from chronic data leaks–Israel’s vaunted
IDF 8200 cyber warfare group is regarded as among the most
talented in the world, along with the Russian mafia and Communist
Chinese hackers. It would probably be a simple matter for Israel
to hack into the networks of the security agencies, for one
reason because the U.S. government purchases software, security
systems, and telecommunications gear from Israeli firms. This is
why it is crucially important for the US security services to be
wary of Israeli computer systems and software. From a national
security standpoint, then, America needs to greatly reduce its
reliance upon Israeli technology in national security contracting.
We need to keep in mind Jonathan Pollard’s own words of warning.

Pollard is regarded by Jews as one of their greatest heroes.
He is given standing ovations whenever his name is mentioned at
Jewish events. Thus we have a dilemma: one of the nation’s most
damaging espionage cases reveals the true sentiments of a large
ethnic group–widely shared anti-American feelings and
overwhelming approval of the treasonous acts of an enemy of the
United States. Due to their political savvy, money, and influence,
this group claiming a higher allegiance will eventually bring
pressure to bear to free Jonathan Pollard from his life prison
sentence. Many share the author’s belief that considering the
extent of the damage done to the national security, it would be a
travesty of justice for Pollard to ever be released.

I suggest that if Pollard is to be released–and I am not
here advocating that proposition–his release should serve some
useful purpose and send a message countering the Jews’ disdain
for America. I suggest that Pollard not be released until Israel
releases Mordechai Vanunu, the Israeli technician who exposed
Israel’s nuclear weapons program to the world. After being duped
by an Israeli spy-whore (one more example, by the way, of the
world-wide reach of the Israelis through the cooperation of
Jewish “volunteers”) and kidnapped in Europe, Vanunu spent
nearly twenty years in prison in Israel under the most inhumane
conditions–solitary confinement and a total prohibition on
outside contact. Although now freed from his prison cell, the
Israelis have confined him to his home and forbidden his speaking
to the press or outsiders–in other words, he is still in
isolation. His abuse at the hands of the Jews has been
psychological suffering that would be unimaginable to most
people. It would seem to me to be a fair trade to exchange
Pollard for Vanunu. Then Vanunu could spend his remaining years
with his parents in America, in freedom and safe from his
torturers. And as for Pollard, the Jews’ hero, I think his
Israeli fan club will soon tire of his need to be the center of
attention, and his public adulation will come to an end. He will
die in obscurity . . . for Israel has far greater heroes to
honor, and here in America, we don’t celebrate our losers.

V 1.5 (Revised 03/03/2009 19:48 -0500)

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