German intel chief says Schalit deal source of pride
Ernst Uhrlau proud of moderator's role in securing release of Gilad Schalit; Gerhard Konrad mediated return of Goldwasser, Regev in 2009.
By JPOST.COM STAFFGermany's intelligence agency BND 311 (R)(photo credit: Fabrizio Bensch / Reuters)
German intelligence agency head Ernst Uhrlau said Friday that the expected return of Gilad Shalit after more than five years of captivity is a huge achievement and the fact that Germany was a partner in efforts to release the captive soldier is a source of pride.Uhrlau refused to give details on the Shalit deal or how it was reached.RELATED:Germany played key role in the Schalit talksGilad Schalit expected back in Israel on Tuesday
It is known however, that a German intelligence agent, known as Gerhard Konrad served as an independent moderator in the deal because the German government is not in contact with Hamas.Konrad was also involved in the deal that returned the bodies of IDF reservists Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser to Israel in exchange for five Hezbollah terrorists in 2008.The transfer of Schalit was expected to take place on Tuesday.He will reportedly be taken to Cairo before being brought to the border with Israel. There he will be reunited with his family for the first time in more than five years.Click for full JPost coverage
