November 22, 2008
Senator Pushes Iran on Investigation of Former FBI Agent Who Vanished in 2007
A U.S. senator introduced a resolution Thursday calling on Iran to allow the FBI to dig deeper into the 2007 disappearance of former agent Robert Levinson.Sen. Bill Nelson's resolution asks Iranian investigators to confer with the FBI and for the Iranian government to provide the assistance it has pledged to Levinson's family, who have kept up a campaign to locate him for nearly two years.
The Levinsons live in Coral Springs, Fla. Nelson, a Democrat, is Florida's senior senator.
Levinson, 60, was last seen on March 8, 2007, on Kish Island, a tourist haven in the Persian Gulf, where he was doing investigative work for a private security firm. His credit cards and passport have not been used since his disappearance.
Iran says it has "no record" of Levinson's stay on Kish and has resisted attempts by the U.S. government to investigate.
The U.S. does not have formal diplomatic ties with Iran and uses the Swiss government as an intermediary. Iran has refused access to Swiss investigators seeking to visit Kish Island.
"Despite the grave differences we have with Iran, discussions with Tehran are vital to ensure the safe return of an American citizen," said Nelson. "Unfortunately, Iran continues to claim it has no information on the fate of Mr. Levinson."
The Levinson family, and their friends are in my thoughts and prayers. He must not be forgotten.
By Stable Hand at November 22, 2008 02:06 PM | | l digg this
