Author to Discuss Espionage, Politics, Secrecy, Myths and the US-Israel Free Trade Area

ROCHESTER, N.Y., April 4, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is being issued by Institute for Research: Middle Eastern Policy: Author Grant F. Smith will discuss his 2009 book Spy Trade about myths and realities of U.S.-Israel economic relations.  The April 6 presentation begins at 5:15 PM, room 1101, Dewey Hall, on the University of Rochester Campus.  

Last year marked the 25th anniversary of the U.S.-Israel Free Trade Area (USIFTA).  Documents newly declassified in 2009 reveal a stunning 1984-1987 FBI investigation of Israeli embassy and American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) activities that compromised the position of U.S. industry and worker groups while undermining the legitimacy of the trade negotiating process.

Ongoing intrigues involving pharmaceuticals, proprietary weapons technologies (including nuclear weapons related materials) and stiff market barriers have continued—frequently landing Israel on the U.S. Trade Representative's punitive "watch list."  

Experts laud "Spy Trade's" uncompromising research:

"Grant F. Smith's excellent, deeply disturbing book...is a welcome addition to a growing scholarly literature." Michael Scheuer, former chief of the CIA Bin Laden unit and author of "Imperial Hubris"

"This terrific historical exposé ought to be required background reading for those FBI agents assigned to investigate foreign espionage and public corruption matters."  Coleen Rowley, former FBI agent and 2002 Time Magazine "Person of the Year"

"…The 21 documents obtained by Grant F. Smith, a Washington, D.C. … detail the FBI's investigation into the theft of a confidential U.S. document on the Reagan administration's position going into the 1984 U.S.-Israel Free Trade Area Negotiations."  Jeff Stein, Washington Post

"This book contains many highly disturbing, documented revelations. Read it." Ambassador Edward L. Peck, former Chief of Mission in Iraq and Former Deputy Director, Cabinet Task Force on Terrorism, Reagan White House

During his presentation of public and newly declassified aspects of USIFTA negotiations in 1984-1985, Smith will offer a comparative review of the trade agreement's performance.  Smith will also challenge facts and representations made by author Dan Senor in the February 23 campus presentation of his book "Start-up Nation: The Story of Israel's Economic Miracle."

This event is sponsored by the undergraduate Finance and Economics Council to provide equal time to opposing views on important issues.  Seating is limited.  Reserve a spot online at http://www.IRmep.org/04062011.htm.    Contact Alexa Roberti of the Finance and Economics Council at 585-373-8424 or contact [email protected] for more information.

SOURCE Institute for Research: Middle Eastern Policy