Transcript of Clinton-Barak conversations

Here are verbatim notes, provided by the House Government Reform Committee, of National Security Council transcripts of conversations between President Bill Clinton and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak:

December 11, 2000, 6:17 - 6:36 p.m. (in the White House residence):

Prime Minister Barak: OK, thank you. One last remark. There is an American-Jewish businessman living in Switzerland and making a lot of philanthropic contributions to Israeli institutions and activities like education, and he is a man called Mark [sic] Rich. He violated certain rules of the game in the United States and is living abroad. I just wanted to let you know that here he is highly appreciated for his support of so many philanthropic institutions and funds, and that if I can, I would like to make my recommendation to consider his case.

President Clinton: I am going to take all of them up at the same time. I know about that case because I know his ex-wife. She wants to help him, too. If your ex-wife wants to help you, that's good.

Prime Minister Barak: Oh. I know his new wife only, an Italian woman, very young. OK. So, Mr. President, thank you very much. We will be in touch. January 8, 2001, 5:57 - 6:15 p.m. (in the Oval Office):

Prime Minister Barak: Let me tell you last but not least two names I want to mention. [Redacted] The second is Mark [sic], the Jewish-American.

President Clinton: I know quite a few things about that. I just got a long memo and am working on it. It's best that we not say much about that.

Prime Minister Barak: OK. I understand. I'm not mentioning it in any place.

President Clinton: I understand.

Prime Minister Barak: I believe it could be important [gap] not just financially, but he helped Mossad on more than one case.

President Clinton: It is a bizarre case, and I am working on it.

Prime Minister Barak: OK. I really appreciate it. January 19, 2001, 2:47 - 3:09 p.m. (in the Oval Office):

President Clinton: [Redacted] I'm trying to do something on clemency for Rich, but it is very difficult.

Prime Minister Barak: Might it move forward?

President Clinton: I'm working on that, but I'm not sure. I'm glad you asked me about that. When I finish these calls, I will go back into the meeting on that, but I'm glad you raised it. Here's the only problem with Rich: There's almost no precedent in American history. There's nothing illegal about it, but there's no precedent. He was overseas when he was indicted and never came home. The question is not whether he should get it or not but whether he should get it without coming back here. That's the dilemma I'm working through. I'm working on it.

Prime Minister Barak: OK.