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FBI wants to know if and how Belgian man got classified info
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Copyright ) 1997 Nando.net
Copyright ) 1997 The Associated Press
WASHINGTON (November 29, 1997 3:41 p.m. EST http://www.nando.net) -- The
FBI is investigating whether a Belgian businessman, who claims a White
House worker gave him intelligence information, acquired sensitive U.S.
government documents on drugs and defense involving Africa, U.S.
officials confirmed Saturday.
Belgian authorities also are investigating Max-Olivier Cahen for
allegedly trying to sell classified documents to African officials. In
European publications, Cahen has alleged that friends in the U.S.
government leaked him the documents, including Shawn McCormick, a former
National Security Council aide on Africa. McCormick, 29, left the White
House two months ago after two years in the job.
The White House said Saturday no evidence points to wrongdoing by
McCormick
"While the FBI is not in a position to formally close its investigation,
we have been advised that no evidence has been found to support
allegations that Shawn McCormick engaged in illegal conduct," said a
spokeswoman at the National Security Council, speaking on condition of
anonymity.
Justice Department spokeswoman Christine DiBartolo called the
investigation a "pending matter." The FBI decline to comment.
McCormick's lawyer, Breckinridge Willcox, said his client never
exchanged any classified information with Cahen, according to Saturday's
editions of The Washington Post.
"He never gave Max a single sheet of paper, much less anything
classified, and he never talked about classified activities," Willcox
was quoted as saying. "I think Shawn has convinced the FBI that all his
dealings with Max were legitimate."
Willcox and McCormick couldn't be reached by The Associated Press on
Saturday.
Purported copies of Cahen's personal records revealed letters to Ngawale
Mobutu, the daughter and adviser of the late Zairean dictator Mobutu
Sese Seko, offering to sell her three U.S. documents for $25,000, the
Post reported. The documents allegedly included information on U.S.
military intelligence concerning Rwanda, Angolan troop movements and
activities of some close Mobutu advisers by the U.S. Drug Enforcement
Administration, according to the Post.
By KALPANA SRINIVASAN, The Associated Press
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