Sheinbein Case on Glendening's Mind; Md. Governor, Visiting Netanyahu, Argues for Teen's Extradition

red to Netanyahu his interest in having Samuel Sheinbein returned

Maryland Gov. Parris N. Glendening asked Prime MinisterBinyamin Netanyahu for his cooperation today in securing theextradition of an Aspen Hill teenager sought as a suspect in agruesome slaying in Montgomery County.

In what was largely a courtesy call focused on efforts tobuild trade and investment between Maryland and Israel, Glendening(D) underscoto stand trial in Maryland.Sheinbein, 17, fled to Israel the weekend after the Septemberkilling of Alfredo Enrique Tello Jr., 19, and has claimed Israelicitizenship in an attempt to avoid extradition. Israel does notextradite its citizens.Under pressure from U.S. diplomats and politicians, theIsraeli government has begun extradition proceedings againstSheinbein, one of two Montgomery teenagers charged in the Telloslaying. But Sheinbein's attorneys have vowed to fight extraditionin court, raising the prospect of a months-long legal battle.In an interview after his meeting today, Glendening saidNetanyahu promised to "give every cooperation he could" butemphasized that he was restricted by Israeli law.Netanyahu "indicated that if he had his way, Sheinbein alreadywould be back in Maryland," Glendening said. "They have to gothrough due process and, unfortunately, that will take some time."Glendening expressed concern that the Sheinbein case mightovershadow his week-long trip's focus on business and investment."The issue of extradition has become very important, but it'scertainly not the focus of the visit," he said.The Israel visit is Glendening's fourth overseas trip duringhis nearly three years as governor. Glendening has led trademissions to Europe and Asia, and this year he traveled to Sweden fora conference on the environment.Glendening is accompanying a delegation of Maryland businessand Jewish community leaders put together at the behest of theBaltimore Jewish Council. His expenses and those of a single aideare being picked up by the state, Glendening said.Members of the Maryland delegation met Israeli airline andshipping officials to promote the use of Baltimore's port andBaltimore-Washington International Airport. And Maryland businessexecutives accompanying Glendening pursued or signed deals duringthe trip.Baltimore-based Sylvan Learning Systems, a firm that developscomputer-based tutorial systems, invested $3 million in an Israelisoftware firm, Kidum, which Sylvan hopes will provide access to theIsraeli market, said Tripp Burgunder, Glendening's aide.Also, the University of Maryland at Baltimore County signed aletter of intent with an Israeli company to develop an institute forelectronic commerce at the Baltimore campus. The institute wouldseek to help develop the Internet as a secure medium for marketingand sales.Glendening visited Rishon Lezion, a town outside Tel Aviv thathas a sister-city relationship with Prince George's County. Hevisited the town on an earlier trip to Israel when he was PrinceGeorge's County executive, Burgunder said.The Marylanders' visit is part of a constant parade ofpolitical, business and civic delegations that is a permanentfeature of life in Jerusalem. The accents of Nashville and LosAngeles, as well as Baltimore, have filled the lobbies ofJerusalem's plush hotels this week.Glendening's visit earned Maryland a couple of minutes' air timeon Israeli state radio Thursday -- and a Maryland state flag flewnext to that of Israel in the lobby of the King David Hotel, whereGlendening's group is staying. An elderly man strolled through thelobby with a young boy after Sabbath services tonight and pointedout the flag. "Do you see that one?" he asked the boy. "Verycolorful. Very nice."