Barr's Requests for Foreign Help Prompt Backlash in Australia, Italy, U.K.

[hlthe2b]

Sorry, i have no more access than most behind WSJ's ridiculously restrictive paywall, but here's as much as available. (More at the link if you have a subscription)


Barr’s Requests for Foreign Help Prompt Backlash in Australia, Italy, U.K.
Opposition lawmakers, intelligence officials question why the attorney general is working outside usual channels in review of Russia-probe origins

https://www.wsj.com/articles/barrs-requests-for-foreign-help-prompt-backlash-in-australia-italy-u-k-11570369938

Attorney General William Barr is stoking tensions in several foreign capitals, going outside usual channels to seek help from allies in reviewing the origins of a U.S. counterintelligence investigation begun during the 2016 presidential campaign. By meeting directly with foreign leaders—rather than relying on investigator-to-investigator channels—Mr. Barr has stirred up domestic politics in some of the countries he has tapped for assistance.

In Rome, the national-security committee of Italy’s Parliament this past week asked Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte to appear and answer questions about his contacts with Mr. Barr. Far-right opposition lawmakers criticized Mr. Conte for deferring to Mr. Barr’s request. The Italian Prime Minister’s office said Mr. Conte isn’t worried about the meetings between Mr. Barr and Italy’s intelligence services, and said he would comment publicly only after he has been heard by the national-security committee of Italy’s Parliament.

In Canberra, Australian authorities said they were cooperating with Mr. Barr but disputed allegations that one of its diplomats acted inappropriately in 2016—an allegation at the center of Mr. Barr’s inquiry. Opposition lawmakers there, too, are expected to question government officials later this month about Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s phone conversation with President Trump regarding the inquiry.

In London, Mr. Barr’s personal requests have irked counterintelligence officials over a perceived thwarting of procedural norms, according to people familiar with the response from the intelligence officials. British intelligence officials have privately expressed annoyance that it appeared the U.S. Justice Department was going around them to talk to political leaders, these people said.

The Justice Department, which declined to comment for this article, said last week that Mr. Barr had asked Mr. Trump to introduce him to a number of foreign leaders to advance his review, including Mr. Morrison in Australia.

[hlthe2b]

1. just a bit more...

Mr. Trump has said he expects the review to show that crimes were committed by his political opponents, but no evidence of that has emerged. He has asked several foreign leaders, including in Ukraine and Australia, to assist Mr. Barr. In May, Mr. Trump ordered leaders of the U.S. intelligence community to “quickly and fully” cooperate with the investigation.

[abqtommy]

4. In reality an ethical review will prove that "Mr." tRUMP committed crimes!

[Mike 03]

2. Thanks for posting this.

I think many of us were wondering how Barr's overtures were being received, especially by foreign intelligence, but politicians also.

[malaise]

3. Excellent

Get thee to the greatest page RFN!!
Lock them up!

[struggle4progress]

5. "I'm hoping we can quietly activate some of Putin's moles to help us!"

[liberalla]

6. K & R