MOSSAD AGENT ARRESTED IN SWITZERLAND

ISRAEL LINE
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1998

  A Mossad intelligence operative was arrested several days ago by the Swiss
police and remains in custody, Israel Radio, KOL YISRAEL, reported. The
Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed that the agent was arrested, and said
that the Embassy in Bern is currently dealing with the issue.
  The Swiss Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that contrary to reports, the
affair was not related to Iran.  In the same vein, the Swiss Attorney
General denied reports indicating that the operation involved Mossad
wiretapping of Iran's mission to the United Nations and added that the
targets were foreign nationals and not diplomats.
  According to IDF Radio, Israel and Switzerland were secretly discussing
the release of the Mossad agent, but a possible deal was nixed after reports
were leaked to the Israeli media.
  HA'ARETZ reported that the episode is believed to have soured relations
between Israel and Switzerland, which maintain close cooperation in a
variety of spheres.  Efforts continue at "senior diplomatic levels" to
secure the release of the Mossad operative and bring the affair to a conclusion.
  Mossad Chief Danny Yatom, who tendered his resignation on Tuesday, said
that there were several reasons for his decision to step down, one of which
was the latest mishap involving Switzerland.





ISRAEL LINE