There are conflicting media hints as to the manner in which Ariel Sharon raised the issue of Jonathan Pollard in his talks with President Bush yesterday. IMRA reports that an Israel Radio report last night indicated that Sharon asked Bush to release Jonathan Pollard, while The Jerusalem Post reported today only that \"Sharon said he did raise the issue of convicted spy for Israel Jonathan Pollard\" together with that of the missing and abucted Israelis in Lebanon. Dr. Aaron Lerner of IMRA notes, \"While the rescue of Israel\'s MIA\'s is of paramount importance, their fate is in the hands of their captors and Bush can only act to try to influence them. In sharp contrast, Pollard\'s freedom is subject to the full and exclusive discretion of President George W. Bush. By lumping Jonathan Pollard in with the MIA\'s, PM Sharon signaled to the Americans that Israel does not expect an immediate resolution of the Pollard case.\"
No word on any response from Bush has been reported. Jonathan Pollard recently likened himself to a soldier bleeding to death in full view of the nation, and appealed to Prime Minister Sharon to make the case for his release. Pollard\'s wife, Esther, told IMRA, \"PM Sharon is in a unique position. He has all the factors in place that no other prime minister of Israel ever had to secure Jonathan\'s immediate release - moral, legal, humanitarian, and an actual commitment made at Wye between the 2 nations - yet he failed to make a serious request... My husband is an Israeli agent in peril who has given the last 16 years of his life for Israel. Instead of bringing Jonathan home, the Prime Minister left Washington with a dinner menu [as a souvenir].\"
No word on any response from Bush has been reported. Jonathan Pollard recently likened himself to a soldier bleeding to death in full view of the nation, and appealed to Prime Minister Sharon to make the case for his release. Pollard\'s wife, Esther, told IMRA, \"PM Sharon is in a unique position. He has all the factors in place that no other prime minister of Israel ever had to secure Jonathan\'s immediate release - moral, legal, humanitarian, and an actual commitment made at Wye between the 2 nations - yet he failed to make a serious request... My husband is an Israeli agent in peril who has given the last 16 years of his life for Israel. Instead of bringing Jonathan home, the Prime Minister left Washington with a dinner menu [as a souvenir].\"