WEIZMAN TO MUBARAK: FREE AZAM

ISRAEL LINE
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1997

  President Ezer Weizman requested the release of Israeli Azam Azam during a
telephone conservation with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, MA'ARIV
reported.
  Azam was sentenced to 15 years at hard labor by the Egyptian Supreme Court
on Sunday on charges of spying for Israel, and the verdict now requires
Mubarak's approval.  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that
Azam is innocent and has had no connection to the Israeli intelligence
services.  Mubarak promised that he would contact Weizman before he approves
the court's decision.
  Netanyahu sent a handwritten letter to Azam in which he said, "You are
innocent, and the State of Israel will not rest until you are back with your
family as a free citizen in Israel."
  Israel may offer to exchange Egyptian prisoners for Azam.





ISRAEL LINE