The World : Austria Ends Bloch Probe

The Austrian government said it does not intend to further pursue the espionage case of U.S. diplomat Felix S. Bloch. “Right now, our investigation is over,” Interior Ministry spokesman Werner Sabitier said in Vienna. “If more information comes from the United States, maybe the Austrian authorities will continue their activities.” In Washington, Justice Department spokesman David Runkel voiced concern that “premature disclosure” of the Bloch investigation “may have had an adverse impact on the development of evidence” by the FBI. Runkel said he was referring to disclosure of the investigation by ABC News, but other Justice Department officials focused their criticism on the State Department’s decision to confirm the investigation and provide additional details.