K.G.B. in Iran

Press, 17 November 1981, Page 8

K.G.B. in Iran

NZPA-Reuter New York

Thirty-six Farsi - speaking Soviet K.G.B. agents and several other experts have arrived in Iran to help create an efficient intelligence and security force and to strengthen the economy, “Time” magazine reported yesterday.

It said the Russians' aim was “to establish themselves so firmly that they can exercise a decisive influence on Iranian foreign policy, or, in the case of a future political explosion in the country, install a puppet regime.”

“Time” said the decision to enlist Soviet help was a wrenching experience for the ruling Islamic fundamentalists who reguarly denounce "atheistic communism." But it said the small Tudeh (Communist) Party had persuaded Iranian Govern-

ment leaders to turn to Moscow for help after the .Government found it could not control a wave of assassinations by the Mujahedeen guerrillas who had penetrated nearly every Government institution.

The magazine said that soon after the K.G.B. agents checked into the Hilton Hotel in Teheran they found a huge time bomb in the hotel and defused it just before it was due to explode. It said the Soviet agents later took over as their offices the former headquarters of Savak, the Shah’s fearsome secret police, in a northern suburb of Teheran. “Time" said that other Soviet advisers were trying to help the Iranian Govern-ment-put into shape factories suffering from poor maintenance, labour chaos and loss of key manpower.