Me: And what did she say?
Najadi: I'll read you the text of her email: "We will inform the public when there are new findings and ask for your understanding that we do not comment on assumptions and speculations. Unfortunately, we cannot answer any further questions. We kindly ask for your understanding."
Me: What do you make of that?
Najadi: The last statement from Charite about the poisoning was that "the specific substance remains unknown." The hospital promises to inform the public "when there are new findings." Merkel put out the story that Novichok was found in a biological sample from Navalny. Charite's response is that the hospital does not "comment on assumptions and speculations." That seems to be an unmistakable characterization of Merkel's report. That was their final word. Charite says they do not want to comment further on this.
Me: So that's the essence of "Project Schnauzer?" That Merkel's comments were regarded as assumptions and speculations?
Najadi: Yes, that's my understanding. Don't you agree?
Me: I do. But it looks like Merkel is playing some sort of a political game.
Najadi: There is more to her political game than that.
Me: What for instance?
Najadi: The German-Russian gas pipeline project, almost completed, is involved. Former chancellor Gerhard Schroeder is its chairman. There's no secret that the Trump administration wants to scuttle it.
Me: Why?
Najadi: It is because the US wants to continue selling its liquefied natural gas to Merkel at a high price. It is a very political matter.
Me: Are there other political issues?
Najadi: Sure. Merkel has provided biological specimens from Navalny to her EU allies in France and Sweden. But she has refused Russian requests for the same. Merkel says her allies confirm the German finding of Novichok, but denies Russia a similar opportunity.
Me: Do you know why?
Najadi: Yes, it is a result of Project Schnauzer. Germany has refused Russian requests for the Navalny specimens for examination. German news agency DPA reports, "The German government sees no reason to hand the evidence directly to Russia, deputy spokeswoman Martina Fietz told reporters. Meanwhile, Ms. Fietz goes on to say, 'We continue to appeal to the Russian side to deliver information.'" But Navalny, still in German custody, reportedly has himself rejected any cooperation with a Russian investigation.
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