newsitems

*Strasbourg/CoE/Angelo Marcopolo/- Experienced CoE's Director for Information Society and Fight against Crime, Jan Kleijssen, from the Netherlands, Speaking to "Eurofora" on the occasion of a 2 Days Conference on Medias and Pluralism, particularly in the Modern Digital landscape, organized by the CoE together with "Reporters without Borders' NGO for Press Freedom, observed that the Legal Protection of Journalists would have to be Extended also to certain New Media Actors, (as the CoE has already started to officialy acknowledge : See Infra), in order to become able to succesfuly Face the Challenges for Pluralist Democracy Nowadays.

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- My main "Message" to this 2019 Conference is that,  while, "Still, the Old Challenges on Regulators, to ensure Medias Ownership's Transparency, and about Finances, on Concentration, etc, they stay", nevertheless, "there are also New Challenges, with the Digital Media Platforms", Kleijssen told "Eurofora" from the outset.

- Particularly "when they are acting whether with Less and less Human Editing, but More and more Automated Editing, (i.e. Artificial Intelligence), because there is a lot of Algorithms in it, a lot of Processes in it, (mainly on Web News Distributed via Artificial Intelligence : "that's an Issue"). => "So, it's important to make sure that Regulators (i.e. States, European/International Organisations, etc) can face these Challenges too".

+ And, "f course, a Challenge that underlies it all, at the Moment, is also about the Physical Safety of Journalists", as it's noted in "the (CoE's) Secretary General's (Thornbjoirn Jagland's) Latest Report (2018), with very Worrying Results of the Surveys carried out in Europe", which show how Many Journalists" faced such serious problems, he reminded.  

- "F.ex., Everybody knows the case of Daphne Caruana Galicia in Malta, (a brutal Murder, where investigations still Delay in lots of things), followed by another one in Slovakia, (with investigation apparently Advancing much faster), as very High-Profile cases (of Killings of Journalists), where, what happened is, of course, Absolutely UnAcceptable", Kleijssen denounced.

+ "But, in addition to that, there is a Lot of "Low Intensity" Intimidation, Harassment, etc., of Journalists. And this is something on which we (CoE+) have to be Alert too, for Medias' Pluralism, as it's part of it", Jan Kleijssen concluded, as far as the 2019 "Cornerstones" are concerned.

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- In relation to that, "Eurofora" Questioned the CoE's Director for Information Society, about the Controversial Views of "Some (who) Persist to abuse of an Old kind of "Fiscal" Definition of Journalism, claiming that it would Merely mean ...+51% of Revenues paid by any Media Business, regardless of the Content of the Work provided. Thus, f.ex., even a lazy and passive, simple Radio-TV Presenter might have much More Rights and Protection, than a Creative Writer who Risks even his/her LIfe to Investigate "Hot" Issues, Help Discover all the Truth, and reveal to the People the full Findings, when he believes that they affect the General Interest in our Society, as we denounced.                               

 - "No !", reacted Kleijssen. In fact, "there are Texts of CoE's Committee of Ministers which have already said that the Definition of "Medias", and their (Legal) Protection, should be "Extended".

- This includes, f.ex., also certain Bloggers, and Other New Media Actors, who Publish News Regularly, and, may be More Read than Traditional Newspapers, also, sometimes highly Succesfully".

- He said that in Reply to "Eurofora"'s reminder of the case of Daphne Caruana-Galicia, brutaly Murdered in Malta, who had been Hindered, by a Chief Editor, to Publish Critical News in her Traditional "Weekly" Newspaper, (as her Family had revealed to "Eurofora"), and was obliged to create a WebNews Site where she Published Alone, Dangerously Exposed,(See, among others, also: http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/webjournalistmurder.html, http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/euparliamentpresidentoncoeandjournalistmurder.html, http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/daphnewebjournalistmurderenquiry.html, http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/daphnepressfreedomandcorruption.html, http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/rsfleaderondaphnemurderandjournalism.html, http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/eucoenewsondaphnemurder.html, etc).

- Concerning Daphne's Husband's recent Denonciation, at another event, previously in Strasbourg, that "the (official) Investigation its Stuck !" (See: ..., etc), Freedom of Speech NGO "Reporters wihout Borders"' International Director, Dr. Michael Rediske, replied to an "Eurofora" Question with a Bitter Denonciation of the fact that "those who have the means to act, do Not want to do so ! But, unfortunately, we can't send them to the Haye International Criminal Court"...

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+ Such a Topic (as Journalists' Protection Status being Extended also to New Medias Actors at the Web), "might also be discussed", during this Conference, later Today, and/or in various other Events on Medias' "Pluralism", where "there will be a lot of Angles", Kleijssen guessed.

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>>> In this regard, 2 landmark CoE's Books, about "Journalism at RISK : Threats, Challenges and Perspectives", and "Journalists under PRESSURE : Unwarranted Interference, Fear and Self-Censorship in Europe", Published on 2015 and 2016, respectively, had been rightfully Chosen by the PanEuropean Organisation for Human Rights, Democracy and Rule of Law of Strasbourg, in order to be Displayed on the spot and Offered to the Participants in this Conference.

+ Between them, had Also been Published a Relevant "Eurofora"s Article, with an Interview of the New Secretary General of the European Federation of Journalists, Ricardo Gutierrez, and the mention made by a representative of CoE's Committee of Ministers, during an International Conference on "Freedom of Expression", to certain Important Decisions taken by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, precisely on that Question of "Journalist"s  Definition, (Comp. Supra) :

(1) In the First CoE's Book "Journalists at Risk", 2015), Aidan White (Long Time former Secretary General of the Internationonal/European Federation of Journalists, and Nowadays of the "Journalists' Ethical Network", in an Exceptionaly Long Article, basically Urges to Extend most of Traditional Journalists' Legal Protection also to some "Other Actors" of Medias in our Digital Society, on the Condition that they will Accept to Practice the main Principles of Press Deontology, (See: http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/iachrcoebookandefjsgonjournalismdefinition.html . An Idea that "Eurofora" had Initially suggested to White as Early as since 2009-2010 : See  http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/digitalpress.html, http://www.eurofora.net/brief/brief/webmedia.html , etc).

(2) In the relevant "Eurofora"s Article" (November 2015 : http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/iachrcoebookandefjsgonjournalismdefinition.html), we refer to 2 Decisions of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (cited by a CoE's CM Representative : Comp. Supra), which stressed mainly that : "Journalism canNot be equated to a Profession", i.e. Not "Only through those who are Enrolled in a certain Professional "Colegio" (Corporation)", "because", in fact, "Journalism is the Primary and Principal Manifestation of Freedom of Expression of Thought, .... which is an Inherent Right" of a Person, "and has a Double Dimension  : Individual and Collective", including Both "the Right of an Individual to Express himself Freely, AND that of Society as a whole  to Receive Information", so that any "Violation" of that, Threatens also "to Deprive Society of possible Sources of Information", affecting "a CornerStone upon which the very Existence of a Democratic Society rests", since "it's Indispensable for the Formation of Public Opinion", and "a Condition sine qua non for the Development of Political Parties, Trade Unions", etc., and "the Means that Enable the Community, when Exercising its Options, to be Sufficiently Informed", given the Fact that "a Society that is Not Well Informed, is Not a Society that is Truly Free". + That's why, the very "concept of Public Order in a Democratic Society, requires the Guarantee of the Widest possible Circulation of News, Ideas and Opinions, as well as the Widest Access to Information by Society as a Whole", and "is not conceivable without Free Debate, and the possibility for Dissenting Voices to be Heard".

<< => In consequence, "Journalism is the Primary and Principal Manifestation of Freedom of Expression", and "the Thing that Journalists do, involves, precisely, the Seeking, Receiving and Imparting  of Information", since "the PRACTICE OF JOURNALISM ...Requires a Person to ENGAGE (Him/Herself) in Activities that define or embrace the Freedom of Expression", so that "the Professional Journalist is not, nor can he be, anything else, but Someone who has Decided to Exercice Freedom of Expression in a Continuous, Regular" way.  As for "the Circumstance, Whether, or Not, that Right is Exercised as a Paid Profession, canNot be deemed Legitimate in Determining whether (a) Restriction" might be acceptable, since "that's Not a good enough Reason to Deprive Society of possible Sources of Information". "Unlike Journalism", "the practice of Law or Medicine, that is to say, the Things that Lawyers or Physicians do, is Not an Activity Specifically Guaranteed by the Convention" on Human Rights, and, therefore, it could be Restricted,  for "Reasons ... that May... Justify Compulsory Licencing of Other Professions", but canNot be invoked in the case of Journalism, because .... this could Violate the Basic Principles of a Democratic Public Order", (Comp. Supra), IACHR Distinguished.>>

(3) Shortly Afterwards,the Second CoE's Book, cited above, ("Journalists under Pressure": 2016), clearly Adopts a Similar "Definition" : "Journalist = A Person who is Regularly Engaged in Collecting or Disseminating Information to the Public, with a Journalistic (Public Interest) Purpose". (P. 11). 

+ "Definition of Key Terms : ... Journalist = ... The Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers, in 2000, Defined a Journalist as "any ...Person who is Regularly (Or professionally) Engaged in the Collection and Dissemination of Information to the Public, via Any Means of Mass Communication". (Appendix to Recommendation No. R (2000) 7..." + "Recommendation CM/Rec (2011) 7, on a New Notion of Media, Recognized that the New Media, Created by both Technological and Social Change, has seen the Entry into scene of a New Breed of Reporters : Bloggers, Citizen Journalists, and Others, who Create user-generated Content. The Adoption of this New Notion of Media, Necessitates the Recognition that "the Scope of Media Actors has Enlarged, as a result of New forms of Media in the Digital Age". CoE 2014". (P. 24).

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Meanwhile, CoE's 2019 Conference on Medias and Pluralism Today, (Comp. Supra), advanced by stressing the Growing Importance of New, Digital Medias, Both in Quantitative and Qualitative terms, i.e. as being also, potentially More Efficient than Traditional Newspapers, particularly in Stimulating Pluralist public Debates in Nowadays Democratic Societies, i.e. to meet the main Purpose of Journalists' Freedom of Expression (Comp. Supra): 

- "Often, Web Medias Bypass Traditional Medias", observed, f.ex., Nouri Lazmi, President of Tunisia's Independent High Authority for AudioVisual Communication.

- Already, "for Young People aged 16 - 24 y.o.", the "Web has become the 1st main Source of News", noted Maria Donde, "Ofcom"s Expert for International Content Policy, (even if Radio-TV still remains "the Most viewed", according to a recent Poll on "Web Medias' Consumption", at least in the UK).

+ Moreover, their "Real Consumption is "Under-Reported", Donde found. Perhaps, it's also because "Most On-Line News" are read through "Smart-Phones", and "when Passively Strolling".

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- But they are bringing Both "Good and Bad Journalism", or "Risks of Fake News", Lazmi warned.

+ Most of such Medias use to "Behave as Political Opponents in an Arena", with "Strong Political polarisation". On the Contrary,  "Neutral Medias are Marginalized", f.ex. in Libya, etc., regretted Professor Carola Richter, from Berlin's Freie University.

- The "Bad" aspects are the Excessive Role of "Interest Groups", and the InSufficient dimension of "Deliberation" and/or "Consent-Building" functions, he Criticized.

=> But the "Good" aspects, are that Web Medias "Allow People to Speak out", with a "Diversity of Perspectives in Public space", Professor Richter stressed.

+ This Importance of this Key point was particularly underlined by Tarlach McGonagle, Senior Researcher/Lecturer at the Information Law Institute of Amsterdam University, "as part of a Wider Participation in Public Debate".

- Indeed, ECHR has already underlined (f.ex. since "2010") "States' Obligation" to support structural "Pluralism", for which "States must be Guarantors", he observed.

>>> And, those New, Web Medias, precisely, help boost a kind of "ReConfiguration of Public Debate".

- This is achieved now Both with Traditional "Journalists", but "also with Oher Actors" at the Web, such as various "Bloggers", "Corporations", etc., he reminded, on this Focal point, (Comp. Supra).

- Indeed, a "Pluralist" debate for Democracy, notoriously is the main Ideological Legitimation and the Political "Raison d'être" of "Freedom of Expression", on which is Based ECHR's overall "System for Protection of Authors", (as McGonagle noted)

=> I.e., Nowadays, including that necessary "Extension" of Traditional Journalists' Legal Status, also to certain "Other Media Actors", (as CoE's Director for Information Society and Fight against Crime, Jan Kleijssen, has just Highlighted, in Reply to a relevant "Eurofora"s Question : Comp. Supra).

 - In fact, "Europe seems to be in Transition" nowadays, concluded CoE's specialized Head of Information Society Department, Patrick Penninck, towards the End of the "Medias and Pluralism Regulation" Debate, (astonishingly using an Expression that French former EU Parliament's President, the famous Simone Veil, had previously used with "Eurofora" in Sorbonne, Paris, almost a Decade earlier, concerning the different, but also Topical Issue of Popular Participation to EU Elections, (See: ...).   

(../..)

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*Strasbourg/CoE/Angelo Marcopolo/- Days before Chinese President Xi Jiping is due to meet with European and USA Leaders (See: http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/usachinaontradeandbioethics.html, and Infra), the Experienced Director of CoE's PanEuropean Organisation for Human Rights, Democracy and Rule of Law, (which has 47 Member States, including Russia, etc) competent also on Fight against Crime, Jan Kleijssen from the Netherlands, speaking to "Eurofora", strongly Denounced the recent Heritable Genetic Editing of 2 Babies by a Chinese Doctor Educated by, Linked to, and Publicized through a "Socialist"/Liberal USA Network of the former Barack Hussein Obama's era, (See : ...), and stressed that it must be Banned, reminding that also the Cloning of Human Beings identical to others, had Started to be Outlawed already since the 1990ies.

CoE is the Only Multilateral Organisation in the World which has a Legaly Binding Convention on Bio-Medicine and Human Rights, called "Oviedo" Treaty, as early as since 1998, which is Open for Signature and Ratification even to 3rd, Non-European Countries, accross the World.

Kleijssen made it clear that, as a matter of General Principle, most Bio-Medical Research and Technologies, as well as many others, are neither "bad", nor "good" in themselves, but depending on the way in which some Use or Abuse of them. That's why, Bio-Ethical Rules should, in general, EnLighten and Guide Practitioners on what, when and how a given Technology might be, entirely or partially, admissible, or not, he recalled.

But, sometimes, there are also certain "Red Lines", CoE's Top Official pointed out. F.ex., CoE called to "Prohibit" the Cloning of Humans, (i.e. the ReProduction of Identical Human beings to another individual, alive or dead), Denounced as Contrary to "Human Dignity", (to which were Added, Later-on, Worrying Findings about Negative Genital Malformations of Cloned Animals, as the Famous Ship "Dolly", Dead after Sufferings), with a Protocol to its above-mentioned Convention on Biology, Medicine and Human Rights, (the "Oviedo" Treaty), opened to signature in Paris since January 1998, he Reminded.

So that Countries going from Germany up to Australia, etc, already Imposed such a Ban against Cloning of Human Beings, via Legal Rules threatening with several Years of Jail, Financial Sanctions, etc., and USA's former President G.W.Bush had also adopted a similar Measure, before the Bill stahled in the Congress.

+ Moreover, several More Countries throughout the World, including, f.ex., among others, also Italy, Spain, the Philppines, USA, the Holy See, Costa Rica, Portugal, most Latin America Countries, backed in substance by France and Germany, etc, pushed for an International Ban against "Cloning" Humans, at the level of the UNO, followed also by several other Countries which were for a Partial Ban, on 2005, finaly Resulting, then, into a Global UN Declaration.

>>> But, Nowaday's Threat for Heritable "Editing" able to Manipulate the Human Genome also in Future Generations, in an Irreversible way, (as it Started to already occur since the Autumn of 2018 : Comp. Supra), -"is, indeed, very Frightening !", denounced CoE's experienced Director against Crime, (who has also Served as CEO of CoE Assembly's Political Committee, Head of CoE Secretary General's Office, etc).

=> Therefore, we (CoE) should make it clear that this Controversial Technique "Crosses a Red Line", by Prohibiting it, with a Legaly Binding Measure which can be extended Worldwide, f.ex., based on CoE's above-mentioned Convention on Bio-Medicine and Human Rights, which already Prohibits any Intervention aimed at Modifying the Human GermLine, (i.e. to Manipulate the Human Genome also for Future Generations : "any Modification to the Genome of any Descendants", as its Article 13 says), Kleijssen urged.

+ In Parallel, 2 New CoE Experts' Reports on Editing Human Genome are reportedly in Preparation : Both a Survey of All Member Countries' relevant Legislation, and a BioEthical Analysis of what is really at stake.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

++ Meanwhile, a fresh Call to establish "a Global Ban" against Heritable Genetic Manipulations on Humans was Recently Launched by MEPs during an "ad hoc" EU Parliament's Debate in Strasbourg, with an EU Commissioner promissing to "Explore" that possibility asap, while the vice-President of the Biggest Political Group, that of ChristianDemocrats/EPP, Pons from Spain, speaking to "Eurofora", announced that, already a relevan Draft Resolution circulates inside EU Parliament, with the aim to be voted and adopted, hopefully, before the forthcoming EU Elections of May 2019, (See: http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/eppvpresidentandmepsongermlinemanipban.html , etc).

+++ In Addition, a Chinese Government Official has Recently Condemned Strongly such Controversial and Dangerous Practices, (against Health and Humanity), as both "illegal" and "UnEthical", (See, f.ex.: ...), while US President Don Trump, in a Recent Speech to the traditional BiPartisan, American "National Prayer Breakfast" annual 2019 event, spoke for "All Children, Born and UnBorn, (which) are made at the Image of God", linked to "the Miracle of Life and to the Majesty of Creation", as he said for the Human Embryos, on a Key Point which was most Widely and Lively Applauded by Thousands of People.

Several among Trump's Socio-Political Opponents are Afraid that the American President might be, sooner or later, enclined to Trigger and Stimulate also Christian and other such People's support on certain Key BioEthical Issues, (perhaps inspired also by his predecessor, GWBush's similar succesful move at his brillant Re-Election of 2004, which had suddenly become UnExpectedly Popular), against the narrow-minded, petty interests of some selfish Lobbies which had copiously Paid Barack Hussein Obama's pre-Electoral Campaigns on 2009 and 2012, pushing to Drop BioEthical Values for Big Pharma's bucks.

To those, are naturally Added also Other People, particularly Opposed to "Racist" propaganda and/or practices, as they claim, who should, normally, be among the First to Fear, even More, any Risk to Artificially Create real "Races", by Heritable Alterations of Human Genome also in Future Generations, which Threatens to put an End to Humanity's History  !...

=> Until and during April, Presidents Trump and Xi have, on the Occasion of Top-Level Contacts for Trade, a rare, if not unique, Chance to make an Historic move in order to Settle, or, at least, Prepare and ensure the settlement of such a Crucial Issue.

++++ This is Also true for even Earlier expected Top Level Meetings of the Chinese President, towards the End of March, with key European Leaders as the French President Emmanuel Macron and the German Chancellor Angie Merkel, Together with EU Commission's President Jean-Claude Juncker, Next Week in Paris, at the Eve of Crucial EU Elections of May 2019, and well Before the decisive 2020 US Elections.

Between those Two Dates, an EU - China Summit (after EU Commission recently adopted its Draft "Strategy" on Beijing, earlier this March in Strasbourg : Comp: http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/eucommissionvpresidentonchinaandspace.html, to be Followed, Later this week, also by an EU Heads of State/Governments' Summit due to discuss and vote on EU's overall Strategy vis a vis China) is scheduled in Brussels for April 9.

(../..)

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Cela s'est passé après Longs Debats dans deux Réunions de plusieurs Centaines de participants, dans la prestigieuse Salle des Consels, à la Cité Administrative de l'EuroMetropole de Strasbourg, organisés le 8 février et 1er mars 2019, par le Maire-Adjoint de la Ville, Chantal Cutajar, chargée de la Democratie locale et Professeur d'Université, suivis de la rectification d'un Rapport préalable, officiellement déposé à Paris en mi-Mars 2019.

Afin de contribuer à dépasser le Blocage et les Tensions actuelles, par une serie des Compromis pratiques, qui sont aussi autant d'Avancées Democratiques, on propose, concretement :

- (A) la Reconnaissance d'un "Droit Citoyen au Dialogue" avec l'Administration Publique avant qu'elle prenne une Décision affectant la vie des personnes en cause et/ou la Société dans son ensemble ;

- (B) l'introduction d'un "Vote (ou Referendum) d' Ecoute du Peuple", (associé avec le 1er, ou indépendament).

Tous les deux offrent, d'evidence, moins que le "RIC" (Referendum d' Initiative Citoyenne) s'imposant avec force Obligatoire sur le fond des questions posées, comme il est demandé par les "Chemises Jaunes" et d'autres, mais que l'Etat ne parait pas prêt d'accepter maintenant, tel-quel,

mais ils ont une portée plus Large (puisqu'ils concernent aussi toutes les décisions prises à l'initiative de l'Administration publique), et, surtout, reconnaissent des Droits plus Nombreux aux Citoyens, que ceux qu'ils avaient dans le passé.

Le tout, en Avancant dans le sens d'une Democratie Participative moderne, et dans un cadre à la fois Fonctionnel et Apaisé, respectant aussi bien la Légitimité et le Dévoir d'Agir des Elus Politiques, que le "Dialogue" avec, et l' "Ecoute" du Peuple, (tout en aidant d' Eviter des Abus de pouvoir).

- Dans le 1er cas, l' affirmation d'un "Droit du Citoyen au Dialogue" avec l' Administration Publique avant qu'elle prenne des Décisions dans la plupart des domaines qui affectent la Vie des gens et/ou la Société, comprendrait la Transparence et l' Information à temps utile, mais aussi l' Echange, avec Obligation pour l'Administration de Repondre aux Arguments pertinents des Citoyens, avec des Faits Réels, de facon Juridiquement Correct, et avec une Motivation Suffisante. Le tout sous le Contrôle du Juge administratif, qui pourrait Annuler une Décision prise selon un processus qui manquerait à ces devoirs élementaires.

- Dans le 2e cas, (soit à la Suite du processus précedent, ou de facon Indépendante), une sorte de Referendum original pourrait être organisé, (Entre l' Obligatoire et le Consultatif), où, si la Majorité s'oppose, l' Administration Publique pourrait passer outre, mais seulement en cas de Necessité et de facon Proportionelle, (sous le Controle du Juge) : Une solution de compromis, qu'on pourrait appeler : "Vote d' Ecoute du Peuple".

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Le Rapport Officiel de la Ville de Strasbourg a été deposé au Site de Paris pour le "Grand Debat" au lien suivant : https://granddebat.fr/media/default/0001/01/e4dca60587d470b0c07473b544d8157220c06958.pdf

Il mentione les 2 mésures proposés par "Eurofora" aux pages 5 and 11:

+ Des Descriptions plus detaillées de ces 2 Mésures que nous avons proposées avaient été déjà Publiées ailleurs, (beaucoup plus tôt) : 

- à l'"Eurofora" (V.: http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/francegiletsjaunesdialogueavantdecisions.html),

- ainsi que, directement, au Site officiel du "Grand Débat" national, (à : https://granddebat.fr/projects/democratie-et-citoyennete-1/collect/participez-a-la-recherche-collective-de-solutions/proposals/droit-citoyen-au-debat-vote-des-decisions, et https://granddebat.fr/projects/democratie-et-citoyennete-1/collect/participez-a-la-recherche-collective-de-solutions/proposals/vote-ou-referendum-d-ecoute-du-peuple).

(.../...)

*Strasbourg/CoE/Angelo Marcopolo/- "Too Long", and "did Not get All of it": It's with such Symbolic, Key Words that World Famous American WhistleBlower for Human Rights and Democracy, Edouard Snowden, (After having spontaneously "explosed" with an exceptionally Big Laugh, earlier, when he First Heard about it : See relevant Photo+Video), left "without comment" the Hypothesis that "Special Investigator" Mueller might, perhaps, Continue to Spy on, and "Investigate" even new US President Don Trump, not only during "4 Years" now (2016-2019), but, in fact, as long as ..."20 Years" (See relevant Facts Infra), as "Eurofora" had, provocativelly but factually Questioned in the 2nd of two Queries raised during a Direct Video-Debate at a CoE Conference organized in Strasbourg by French National Assembly's vice-President, MEP Sylvain Waserman, and the experienced Head of CoE's Parliamentary Assembly's Human Rights' Committee, Gunter Schirmer, from Germany, (See f.ex.: http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/whistleblowersineuandcoe.html , etc, and for Snowden's full Reply to a Different Question by "Eurofora" on anOther Issue, at: http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/snowdenfriendshelpwhistleblowers.html).

But, Facts are Facts, and a Question is Legitimately raised by simply examining the real Situation : Indeed, "Eurofora"s relevant Query to Snowden, had simply asked him if, given his Experience, he found "Not Excluded", that even simple Critics of at least Some Points of the "Official Version" on what really happened during the "9/11" Islamist Terrorist Attacks, (which has notoriously faced Many and Various Kinds of Criticisism, here or there : Including even by German ChristianDemocrat Chancellor Angie Merkel's current Press Spokesman, previously Journalist !), might, eventually, have been routinely Spied upon, by Mr. Robert Mueller's agents, (the Current controversial "Special Investigator" on alleged "Russian Interference" in the 2016 US Elections, in "collusion", or not, with New US President Don Trump), since Mueller was, then, (i.e. Back on 2001+), Head of the FBI.

'''''''''''''''''''''''''

=> In that case, this might, practically, mean, that POTUS Don Trump would have been, in fact,  "Investigated" (alias "Spied upon") by Mr. Mueller "not only 4 Years" (2016-2019), i.e. since the Latest US Presidential Election, "but during ... 20 Years !", i.e. since 9/11 : 2001-2019, as "Eurofora" had observed earlier in 1 of our 2 Questions to Snowden, obviously highlighting (with an ironic but serious smile) the Absurd character of such a possible situation, if it, eventually, it became true...

>>> Why ? Simply because the current US President has notoriously been, himself, one among the 1st and most Famous Critics of at least 1 Key point in the Official Story on 9/11, particularly because he Strongly Criticized the Way that "World Trade Center"'s Towers' Collapse in a vertical free Fall (which Killed about 3.000 innocent, Civilian People), as he had clearly said and Discussed in Public, then, almost "Live", Commenting at a TV Program, immediately after that Tragic Event, particularly that Strange Way the WTC Towers went Down, one by one, 100% Vertically, withOut falling aSide, and by being Spectacularly Transformed into a strange kind of White Powder, (even from the Top), dispersing around in a kind of "Clouds" of tiny Particles.

In Fact, Trump, (whose Family was dealing with Real Estate Business, HeadQuartered at New York), apparently Suspected that, in Addition to the Initial Shock and Fire provoked by Airplanes Crashed into the Upper Middle-Floors of each WTC Tower, there might have been also some kind of Supplementary, Local Accomplices, who would have intervened (f.ex. by placing Explosives and/or something else, on the doomed Buildings), in order to Completely Destroy them 100%, as it was done in fine.

According to "New York Times", it's about 1.800 People (mainly at Top Floors), who had initially Survived the First Shocks of an Airplane thrown in each WTC big Tower, but Perished atrociously, Afterwards, during the Total Collapse, (Comp. Supra).

+ Moreover, those Strange "White Clouds" of Fine Particles which Suddenly Appeared (even from the very Top) when WTC's Towers started to Collapse many Hours After the Initial Airplanes' Schock, notoriously Provoked various Serious Health Problems to the Civilian Population living around that Manhattan's area, which were, for a Too Long Period, scandalously Ignored or too Downplayed by the Public Auhorities then in charge, who practically Denied, right from the Start, Any serious Risk of Grave Sickness and/or Death, until too Many innocent People started to Fall, Afterwards, Sick (f.ex. from Pulmonary Diseases, various Cancers, etc) and/or Die, even Long After...

Even when "Eurofora"s co-Founder was at New York, back on UNO's landmark 2005 Heads of State/Government's Summit, for the 60th Anniversary of the Internationlal Organisation's Reform, (focused on the Creation of UNO's World Human Rights' Council, at nearby Geneva), i.e. 4 whole Years After 9/11, we were Surprized by the Fact, while Waiting in a Manhattan Church, Near WTC"s "Ground Floor", a suddenly announced venue of USA's State Department's Secretary (Foreign Minister), then Dr. Condoleeza Rice, for a Memorial Event on 9/11's Anniversary, a lot of Local NY Residents, Simple Authentic Civilian People, sitting all around us, were actively engaged in a "Hot" Discussion about various, unusual Healh Problems which had, reportedly, already emerged among the Local Population, (provoking Sufferings or Death)...

=> Nevertheless, it seems that it's mainly just Nowadays, towards the End of February 2019, (i.e. about 18 Years after 9/11), that New US President Don Trump Welcomed a Boost on a Federal Program of Support to 9/11's Victims and their Families, particularly in the domain, precisely, of Health...

However, former "Security" Authorities, including Mr. Mueller's FBI, had reportedly Ignored, or even Denied, from the Beginning, such serious Risks against Human Health, which had been Threatening the Civilian Population of Manhattan's "Bulb" (probably through a Polluted Atmosphere that they had been Obliged to Breath there after WTC's Collapse : Comp. Supra), already Since 9/11, until Recently !

---

++ More important, Other Critics had notoriously claimed, already Since 9/11 and Aftewards, that various but converging Early Warning Informations had arrived (particularly from Europe), revealing that Islamist Extermists were reportedly Preparing a Major and Deadly Terrorist Attack, somewhere in the USA, etc, at least Since mid-August 2001 :  I.e. 1 Month Before that Mass Killing of about 3.000 People, mainly at New York, but also at Washington DC and elsewhere, in a Series of coordinated Attacks in just 1 Day, as Never Before in all US' History !

=> So that Mr. Mueller, who took office, at the Head of FBI, on September 4, 2001, (i.e. precisely 1 Week Before 9/11, and almost the Same Days that various strange "Plumbers" had been, reportedly, visiting WTC's Buildings, under pretext to make some unspecified "Maintainance" Fixes, ...shortly before the Metallic Joints of its Structure are Found Weaker than Expected, its Water Spray Mechanisms against Fires in Bad Shape, and a Recent but still Persisting Ban of Helicopter Flying, added to a Blockade of WTC's Emergency Exits to their Flat Tops for evenual Rescue, which practically Condemned some 1.200 more "Trapped" People to Death, according to "NYT" and other mainstream US Newsmedias), should not be A Priori dismissed from any legitimate Suspicion of Wrong-doing during all this Crucial period of Time...

 A Fortiori when :

- Astonishingly, Mr Mueller, even after many Years at FBI's Direction, proved Unable to Find ...not even 1 alive Suspect for any kind of possible Local Complicity to the Mass Killings of about 3.000 People inside the USA on 9/11 ;

- Republican former US President GWBush had allowed 3 Independent Enquiries on that Controversial Issue of WTC's strange Implosion at 9/11 (Comp. Supra): By US Congress (Late 2001), USA's Architects (2002), and NIST's Federal Experts (2005).  But "Socialist/Liberal" Dems' former US President Barack Hussein Obama, on the Contrary, did Not let Any such Investigation on Any aspect of 9/11 during 2 Mandates in Office. Instead, even the Wife of a Killed Senior Officer in a Big Insurance Corporation HQ in Chicago, who had naively tried to meet Obama shortly after his Election, in order to ask for a New Enquiry on WTC's strange Implosion, and who was Leader of an NGO of 9/11 Victims' Families, was ...Killed at a strange Airplane Crash, immediately after meeting Obama !

=> Thus, IF New US President Don Trump, eventually Decided, later-on (f.ex. during 2018 - 2020), to Launch a brand New, Independent and Efficient Investigation on what really happened on 9/11, and whether there are any Unpunished Complicities, Scandalous Blunders and/or Inactions, Ommissions etc., given all the Above-mentioned Facts, very probably, Mr Mueller might Not be so Happy from the Results... So, ...Better keep Investigating on Trump, his Friends, all his Staff, and his Family, (Prosecuting and  ImPrisoning several among them, even for Unrelated petty matters Dating More than a Decade in the Past, when they hadn't even met Trump yet, and/or Threaten him, in Parallel, with "Impeachment", etc., under various Fallacious Pretexts), instead of Letting the new, Democraticaly Elected US President Free to ask himself to Investigate what he may Believe Good for the General Interest  !

-----------------

- Mr. Mueller Worked much More under "Socialist/Liberal" Dems' Barack Hussein Obama's Presidency, than under Republican GWBush's term in office, (3,5 Years with the Republicans, against 5 Years with the "Socialists/Liberal" Dems);

- He remained in charge of the FBI during all that Period of enactement and use of that System of secret Mass Surveillance of Millions of UnWarned Citizens, that Snowden dared Denounce in Public since June 2013. Mr. Mueller was Dismissed, and obliged to Leave FBI almost Immediately After that Scandal's revelation Spreads Worldwide, on September 4, 2013 ;

- Finally, Mr. Mueller was chosen and Hired, as "Special Investigator" of alleged Russian interference in the US Presidential Election" of 2016, won by Don Trump, after a relevant Decision taken by controversial US Deputy Attorney General Rud Rosenstein, ...who Owes himself a Service to Mueller for having given him the 1st Jobs in his Life, at the Attorney General's Offices, in the Past : I.e. an obvious Conflict of Interests and Exchange of personal Favours !  

(Rosenstein himself has been Denounced, recently, for having reportedly, planned, during Obama's era, to Spy on Trump since 2015, and to have considered, later-on, to push Trump out of the White House under Amendment 25, i.e. as unfit for that jobn ! Recently, Rosenstein was reportedly ready to Resign asap. on Spring 2019).

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+ Meanwhile, by a Surprizing Coincidence, US President Don Trump himself, has just taken the Initiative, exactly ...this Same Day that "Eurofora" Questioned Snowden about an eventually "Too Long" Period of "Investigations" on Trump by the FBI a.o., including by Mr. Mueller himself, (Comp. Supra), to Strongly Denounce, indeed, a Longer than expected Spying/Investigation against him, which would have Started Not from 2017 (Official Apointment of Mueller), neither from 2016 (US Presidential Elections), but, already from Earlier : ... 2015, (full Obama Administration and Primaries for the Presidential Election), while also being too Controversial and even "illegal", as he criticizes !

-  Indeed, it's on "March 15" that Trump tweeted about <<"New Evidence" revealing "that the Obama era team of the FBI, DOJ & CIA were working together to Spy on (and take out) President Trump, all the way Back in 2015>>, (i.e. Already Before the US Presidential Election). "Then, the Special Counsel (Mueller) should Never have been Appointed (on 2017), and there should be No Mueller Report", Don Trump points out. Indeed, "This was an illegal & Conflicted Investigation (i.e. full of "Conflicts of Interest" : Comp. also Supra) in Search of a crime. Russian Collusion (Hypothesis) was nothing more than an Excuse by the Democrats for Losing an Election that they thought they were going to win... THIS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN TO A PRESIDENT AGAIN!"

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1106554458383806467
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- Meanwhile, however, Mueller's probe has reportedly brought, until recently, about 200 Criminal Charges, 39 Indictments/Guilty Pleas, and 4 Prison Sentences. + More are already in the Pipeline, or risk to appear asap.

But the Heaviest Cases are ...totaly UnRelated to Mueller's Legal Mandate on alleged collusion with Russian Interference in 2016 US Elections :

- F.ex., Paul Manafort, former Trump's Chief Campaigner's main condemnation to Prison concerns simply ...Tax avoidance accusations, allegedly Committed almost ... a Decade Before he Started to work with Trump, and involve Ukrania's internal politics.

+ Even More UnExpected, the main Charges against General Michael Flynn, a former Trumps' Advisor, do Not concern Russia, but ...Turkey !

Indeed, he, and his Business Partner, Bijan Kian, who was arrested, face accusations for Conspiracy to illegally Lobby the US Government for the sake of Foreigners, by secretly serving the Turkish Government's attempts to Change USA's Policy on self-exiled Dissident Gulen, as Ankara Paid them a sum of Money in order to seek his Extradition...

++ Similar Controversial Methods as against Manafort (Comp. Supra) were abused also by Mr. Mueller against Trump's former Lawyer, Michael Cohen : He was Harasssed and Convicted, asking Years in Jail, merely for totaly UnRelated to 2016 Elections' Russian Interference allegations, most of them committed much Earlier in the Past, (including, f.ex., Tax Fraud, Campaign Funds' Irregularities, etc).

And once Cohen had been seriously "Cornered" and sentenced to Prison with Unrelated Convictions, he was suddenly Pushed to prolonge his Testimony on the Date that Trump droped a Project in Moscow, from January to June 2016, (i.e., at any case, Before his Nomination as GOP's Candidate).

+++ Recently was Added also Roger Stone, a former Trump Campaign Agent, who was accused by Mueller for allegedly "False and Misleading" testimony on his suspected Contacts with ..."Wikileaks", after it became known that the International Organisation of World Famous "Whistle-Blower" Assange, already had many Hillary's hidden E-Mails... I.e. a Strange Accusation, from a Democracy point of view, as if Stone was Accused to Help Reveal to the Peuple the Truth !

Other indictments, (and 3 out of 4 Prison Sentences) concern Minor, almost Tiny matters:  

- As, f.ex., allegedly Inaccurate Statements made by a Greek and a Dutch Foreigners (Papadopoulos and Van der Zwaan), Merely about the exact Timing (sic !) of some among their lawful Contacts.

- Or a Latino Web Seller of Bank Accounts' Numbers, allowing to Hide Real Identities at the Internet : Mr. Pinedo at California, who is totally UnRelated to Trump !...

+ Last Year was also indicted Samuel Patton, an Independent Long-Time Lobbyist at Wash. D.C., accused to have allegedly helped an Ukranian Businessman to buy Tickets for Trump's Inauguration Events, and to have Not yet Declared Officially that he was Working also for Foreigners, (an Ommission which is, reportedly found in Many Lobbyists)...

Now, How "Russians" might "Interfere in US Elections", through Ukranian Businessmen appearing  ...AFTER those Elections have ended (Comp. Supra), ...

 ... it's only Mr. Mueller's "Genius" which could tell us !                   

  - Finally, as, obviously, it could not exist a "collusion" with "Russian Interference", withOut any Russian being involved, Mr. Mueller strived to Find at least one (1) alleged "Russian" with some Relation (as Small as it might be) with some People around Trump :

- Thus, he Found "KK", (alias : Konstantin Kilimnik"), a Young Ukranian speaking Russian, reportedly suspected for alleged relations with Moscow's Secret Services, and former occasional Collaborator to Trump's former Campaign Manager Paul Manafort, that Mr. Mueller accused for "Conspiracy" and "Obstruction of Justice" (sic !)... I.e. an Ideal Prey ?

- Unfortunately Not : In Fact, "KK", apparently did Nothing more than, Simply ...explain to 2 Foreign Clients that, as a matter of principle, Manafort's Private Company did not accept to work for Foreigners Inside the USA, but Only Abroad. That's all ! (See, f.ex. "Daily Mail", etc. On the Contrary, curiously, "Wikipedia" does Not even mention ANY Concrete Fact on "KK" alleged Behavior !)...

+ And that, reportedly concerned a remote Past of Manafort's business, Long BEFORE the US Presidential Election of 2016, almost a ...Decade Earlier, when he notoriously had some Dealings Abroad, with a former Ukranian President's entourage, and some Ukranian Oligarchs, i.e. withOut Any Relation to the 2016 Vote in the USA...

++ Moreover, the alleged "Witnesses" were European (Not USA) Politicians, and merely ..."Potential" Witnesses (i.e. Not Real, Neither Effective) according to Mr. Mueller, while, also, the alleged "Attempt" by K.K. took place as Late as on ... 2018 !

>>> I.e., to Sum up : An alleged Contact Not with American but with European Politicians ; which were Not even Witnesses then ; Not in the US but Abroad ;  related to Ukranian but Not Russian Clients ;  about an Operation Dating from Many Years BEFORE the 2016 US Elections and even Before Manafort starts to work for Trump much Later-on ; ... but in a Meeting which took place Only ...2 Years AFTER that US Election : on 2018 ; Limited into merely Confirm a Private Company's General Policy ; (Comp. Supra); according to Mr. Mueller, might be Important for Manipulating the ...2016 US Elections ! How ? ... Only Mr Mueller knows ....

------------------------------

=> So, Things becoming obviously Nasty, Mr. Mueller Needed now something "Big" and Mediatic in order to Change the ambiant Impression that, Despite an awful lot of Time and Money Wasted, (some Press Sources claim about 10 Millions $ each Year !), he had Failed to Discover Anything really interesting...

- He attemped to do precisely that, on 2018, when he suddenly Indicted several ...Dozens of Russians for "Conspiracy" to various "Frauds" related to the USA, including Wire Fraud, Money Laundering (sic !), Identity Fraud, etc. And, this time, it reportedly was linked to the 2016 Elections...

>>> But, in Fact, what was it Exactly about ?

- The Indicted Persons were about Only a Dozen, and their alleged Modus Operanti (Way of Acting) was mainly Limited into Writting and Publishing through Internet's "Social Medias", etc... But, How could they manage to eventually ..."Affect" thus a Big Country as the USA with a Population of More than 350 Millions ? (Even Mueller's investigation team reportedly Admitted that they did Not Affect the Electoral Result)...

- Moreover, they were simple Individuals, Civilian People, (including also a ... "Catering" Private Business, etc !), acting Independently, and withOut Any known Link to Trump's Staff, (etc). In addition they were also Supporting Dems' Candidate Bernie Sanders, etc.

- As for some Accusations to allegedly have, sometimes, offered to Help one or another Poor US Citizen, located at a far away province, to eventually Pay a Bus, etc. in order to Join a Public Rally, and/or to have allegedly participated, in certain cases, to the popular activity of publishing some Local "Ads" in favour of Trump or Sanders, etc.,  

this Obviously is ...Peanuts, or Nothing, at least Compared to Many Millions $ reportedly Paid by various Foreign Governments to Obama or Clinton's "Foundations" and/or Pre-Electoral Funds on 2008, 2012 and 2016 !...  

---------------------

+ As that, obviously, didn't fly high, Mr. Mueller advanced further, Later-on, chosing the Date of US President Don Trump's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, on July 2018, in order to reveal that he Indicted anOther Dozen of Russians for alleged Interference in the 2016 US Elections, but, this time, he claimed to have found mainly Agents of a Russian State Security Service.

However, now it was no more for alleged Direct Interference in the US Electoral Debate, but rather for alleged Search, Findings, and Helping Publications by American Mass Medias, on Hillary's and/or "Democratic" Party Leadership's emails a.o. Computer Data, etc., reportedly Revealing various Scandalous Wrongdoings, (to the point that even the DNC's Heads had to Resign)...

- But, (according f.ex. even to the British Newspaper "Daily Mail"), the Russian President Vladimir "PUTIN RIDICULED" such alleged Mueller's Findings, (that the Newspaper don't even bothers to present analytically, contrary to other allegations, as if it was an obvious nonsense !) :

- These are mostly simple Individuals, Citizens who, may be, heard that Trump appeared to be somewhat Less Negative for their Country (Russia) than other candidates, and, naturally, they tried to support him in World Wide Web's Public Discussions, he pointed out, (particularly for the 1st Group : Comp. Supra). What's the problem ?, he wondered.

+ On Mr. Mueller's accusations for a Dozen of alleged "Agents" of the State to have reportedly "Hacked" for Hillary's and DNC's Emails and/or other Computers' Data (Comp. Supra), after Questioning the Evidence as insufficient, and observing that there is no allegationn, neither proof of eventual "Collusion" with Trump, Putin went as ar as to make even a Concrete Proposal :

- Russia and USA have concluded a Legal Treaty for "Judicial Cooperation" : Let's use it, as it's normaly done between Civilized Nations, on condition of "Reciprocity" ! We shall Help USA's Authorities to Interview those that they suspect for alleged wrongdoings, and make relevant Investigations even here, in Russia, if they accept to Do the Same for the Russian Authorities' interest to Interview a Rich Businessman, accused also for Tax Fraud and several Hundreds of Millions $ of Debt, in addition to reportedly Slandering the Russian Government also during Elections' Time, even for alleged "Murder", f.ex. in the "Magnitsky" case, in the recent Past, he reminded, proposing to cooperate in reciprocal investigations asap.

But, Despite a Positive Backing by US President Don Trump to such a proposal then, nevertheless, Nothing of this kind didn't emerge from Mr Mueller's side, (during 9 Months now)...

+ Last, but no least, the Russian President, in Concluding, pointed at the Substance of the matter;

- "After all, it seems that what they Revealed was Not Fake, but simply the Truth ! Wasn't it ? What's Bad into simply Revealing the Truth about Politicians, to the People ?", Putin reportedly Wondered.

Indeed, it seems that Neither Hillary, Nor Mr. Podesta, or the DNC, did Not ever Dispute the Truefullness of the Contents in their Emails and/or other relevant data, Published by "Wikileaks", etc.

=> Shouldn't the People know the Truth (on Public Issues and the Politicians for whom they were going to Vote) ?...

------------------------------

Snowden is apparently cooperating, sometimes, inter alia, also with "Intercept"'s Journalist Greenwald, a declared Leftist, who has, nevertheless, Strongly Supported recently New US President Don Trump, against "Deep State"'s Harassment and Threats, Opposing them elementary Principles of Democracy, which exclude anyone's attempts to Hinder a Democratically Elected US President from applying the Program for which the People Elected him, (particularly in "Hot" Areas of General Interest, such as World Peace, etc : See f.ex.  ...).

Greenwald is Friend also to Famous, Historic "Guru" of Leftists Worldwide, Philosopher Noam Chomsky, who has, even himself, felt, more recently the Need to Defend Trump against his various "Deep State", UnDemocratic Persecutors' Harassment, brandissing even Higher, Otherwise, a Growing Risk of Dangerous International Tensions, and even War, (See, f.ex.: ..., etc).

It's, perhaps, the 1st Time in the History of USA that even Leftist Intellectuals felt the Need to Struggle for a Traditional Conservative Rightist, a Real Estate Businessman from a "Family Capitalism", as US President Don Trump...

Recently, Dems' Shamefull and dangerously Damaging Behavior, seeking to Slander US President Don Trump, by organizing a Public Hearing of a Controversial "Witness", (in fact a Prosecuted former Lawyer, notoriously ready to say anything that Mr. Mueller and his Cronies might desire, just to Ease the Prison Sentences threatening him), at precisely ...the Same Day that Trump was notoriously Trying to Solve the Crucial and Complicated Issue of Korea's DeNuclearisation, at a Bilateral Summit with North Korean Leader Kim in Hanoi, Vietnam, i.e. Adding Heavy Pressure over the embattled US President, with the Result to Push towards its Failure, with Dangerous Conseqences against World Peace, proved that Professor Chomsky's and Greenwald's Warnings were, unnfortunately, Right (Comp. Supra).

----------------------

"Eurofora"s 2nd Question to Snowden (Comp. Supra) might have been, indeed, "Too Long", but "Whistle-Blowing" Journalism often Needs an elementary Vital Time in order to resume hastily some Complicated Issues, while also trying to avoid too many Risks.

On the Contrary, Mr. Mueller's Oppressive Circus, obviously Threatening the American Democracy and even the World Peace, (Comp. Supra), has unequestionably Durated for Too Much, already Harmed too Many People, and must urgently Stop, at last, in one way or another, Before it might provoke Serious and Irremediable Harm also for the Society and the World.

But the Real Questions, previously Censored or Skiped during a Too Long Time, should, at last, Freely Bloshom and Flourish !

Without excluding also the Question : Why Mr. Mueller is so Eager to Harass the new US President Don Trump and his Staff ?

Perhaps, because he might be Afraid that Trump  (if he had enough Time to Govern without Imposed Distractions) would, eventually, ask also for an Investigation on what Mr. Mueller himself had been doing (or not doing..) since 9/11, until 2019 (Comp. Facts cited Supra) ?

Is that one of the most Important "Conflicts of Interest" that Trump has been denouncing recently ?... 

(../..)

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