Spy Caught During Cuban Crisis

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30899, 4 November 1965, Page 14

Spy Caught During Cuban Crisis

(A .Z.P.A.'Reuter—Copyright / NEW YORK, Nov. 2. Oleg Penkovsky, the Russian executed as a spy for the West, gave himself away when he transmitted a vital message during the Cuba missile crisis of 1962, “Newsweek” magazine reported yesterday.

The message was: “Soviet nuclear forces not in a state erf war readiness.” “Newsweek'’ said it was

sent in response to a request from President Kennedy. Three days before the President delivered a dramatic ultimatum to Moscow, he asked his advisers how he could be sure it would not lead to nuclear war. the magazine said. The advisers advocated a check with Penkovsky whom the magazine described as America’s most secret source in Moscow. Penkovsky’s reply came back 32 hours later, “Newsweek” said.

The magazine added that since there was no time to follow normal security procedures in performing his most important service to the West, the secret police caught up with him. Penkovsky went on trial alongside a British businessman. Greville Wynne, who was gaoled as a spy and later released on exchange. Penkovsky went before a firing squad in May, 1963.