PM prepares for diplomatic sequel

The end of the court case against two alleged Israeli spies is likely to have a diplomatic sequel.

Urie Kelman and Eli Cara probably pleaded guilty to the passport charge to limit damage and prevent the Crown producing diplomatically embarrassing proof that the defendants belonged to the Israeli secret service, Mossad, and that it was engaged in criminal acts in New Zealand.

Prime Minister Helen Clark would make no comment last night. Her spokesman said she would not speak until after the pair were sentenced on July 15.

After that, there will be "strong and public response", Helen Clark told the Herald in April.

The least that the Government could expect is an apology and private assurance from the Israelis that New Zealand passports will never again be sought or used by Mossad agents.

It is believed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has wanted the Government to take a cautious approach but, at least until now, that advice has not been followed by politicians.

The Government is also still mindful of the resentment felt by New Zealanders over the Rainbow Warrior affair and the disdain shown to this country by the French.

Not only did French agents blow up the Greenpeace vessel but their Government welched on an agreement to detain the convicted agents on Hao Atoll instead of in a New Zealand prison.

The Government is not likely to want to be seen as capitulating again in this way.