Kushner pushed for a ‘secret line’ to Russia

Proposed using Russian facilities in US for communication

Washington, May 27: President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, made a preinauguration proposal to the Russian ambassador to set up a secret, bugproof communications line with the Kremlin, The Washington Post reported.

Mr Kushner, a close adviser to Mr Trump, went so far as to suggest using Russian diplomatic facilities in the US to protect such a channel from being monitored, the Post said, quoting US officials briefed on intelligence reports.

The Post story is yet another sensational element in the deluge of allegations raising questions about team Trump’s relationship with the Russians, whom US intelligence agencies say tried to sway the November election in Mr Trump’s favor and thus deny Hillary Clinton the presidency.

And it ensures that Mr Trump will be thrust right back into the din of the Russia scandal upon his return to Washington this weekend, following his first foreign trip, a tour of the Middle East and Europe.

The Washington Post said the secret comms proposal was made on December 1 or 2 at the Trump Tower in New York, according to intercepts of Russian communications that were reviewed by US officials.

The Russian envoy, Sergey Kislyak, ambassador to the US, told his superiors he was “taken aback” by Mr Kushner’s suggestion, the Post said. The New York Times reported that the back channel was intended as a way to discuss Syria and other policy issues, but never was set up.

In response to repeated questions from reporters, Mr Trump’s economic adviser Gary Cohn said, “We’re not going to comment on Jared. We’re just not going to comment.” — Agencies

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