Embassy Espionage In Prague Alleged

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31906, 6 February 1969, Page 9

Embassy Espionage In Prague Alleged

(NZ.P.A.‘Reuter —Copyright) PRAGUE, February 5. The Soviet Czechoslovak-language propaganda newspaper, “Zpravy,” has accused Western military attaches of espionage activity and named two British diplomats of gathering confidential information from reformist intellectuals.

The latest edition of the; newspaper accuses the Bri-1 tish Embassy’s former press attache (Mr Cyril Jonsen)i and its counsellor (Mr H. D.!

Michell) of working for British intelligence. “Zpravy” lists 27 intellectuals, mostly from the press and radio, who, it says, were the most frequent visitors to Mr Jonsen’s office.

It says that through his contact with a Prague television commentator. Vladimir Tosek, Mr Jonsen gathered “exact information of a confidential

nature on our party and Government positions.”

In its last issue, “Zpravy” • l said that Mr Jonsen’s post was i one held regularly by memi bers of British intelligence. Mr Jonsen left Prague sev-

eral weeks ago for new duties. The Soviet newspaper, which regularly assails reformers and has the weight of an unofficial Soviet policy statement, says it has “very interesting” information about the Czechoslovak contacts of Mr Michell, who, it says, was in charge of the intelligence operations. The article accuses military and air attaches of observing military installations, units i and their equipment, and says foreign embassies in Prague I use tourist and commercial connections to gather information, influence internal i affairs, and organise disruptive activity. “Zpravy,” which is believed to be printed in Dresden. East Germany, has angered! many Czechoslovaks because j of its bitter attacks against I progressives. f The suicide note left by Mr Jan Palach. the student who; burned himself to death last; month as a political protest, demanded that “Zpravy” should be banned. A British Foreign Office spokesman tonight said: “We have heard of this article in ‘Zpravy,’ but as the report is unconfirmed we cannot comment. “It is true we have two; officers named Mr Jonsen and; Mr Michell. Mr Jonsen is! now back in England, Mr! Michell is still in Prague.” I