‘Bugs’ infest embassy

Press, 4 November 1986, Page 8

‘Bugs’ infest embassy

NZPA-Reuter Stockholm At least 30 secretly planted microphones have been uncovered at Sweden’s embassy in Moscow and experts think there may be dozens more, said diplomatic sources yesterday. A strong protest was delivered to the Soviet envoy to Sweden on Friday in response to what the Prime Minister, Ingvar Carlsson, described as “intolerable” Soviet behaviour.

“The unpermitted installations could not have taken place without the

knowledge of Soviet authorities,” said the Foreign Ministry. The diplomatic sources said experts flown from Sweden to search the embassy believed they might find as many as 100 microphones.

The equipment has been used to eavesdrop on conversations in both the embassy and Ambassador Anders Thunborg’s residence, according to the sources.

The embassy was built by Soviet workers under Swedish'guidance in 1972. Mr Thunborg said the surveillance cast a

shadow over bilateral relations and was a flagrant violation of the 1961 Vienna Convention enshrining the sanctity of diplomatic missions.

Swedish diplomats said they did not believe any secrets had been compromised since all confidential conversations were held in a “safe” room where eavesdropping is impossible.

Sweden’s relations with the Soviet Union have only recently begun to thaw, marked by an official visit by Mr Carlsson to Moscow earlier this year.