racedo: you might want to read the indictment as well.
This was an FBI case being developed.
The hiker issue wasn't an FBI case ... it is not beyond possible that the usual stove pipes were in action.
I suspect no small amount of interagency friction in this matter, having nothing to do with the idiots who went hiking one fine day ... but I can see how the State Department folks would want to clean that matter up ahead of any confrontation, if the interagency communication was any good.
I tend to bet the under, on that.
