“SPY RESPONSIBILITY”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27080, 14 May 1949, Page 7

“SPY RESPONSIBILITY”

ALL SOVIET DIPLOMATS IN UNITED STATES FORMER ATTACHE’S WARNING Rec. 10 p.m. WASHINGTON. May 12. Dr Kirill M. Alexeev, former Russian commercial attache in Mexico City, said to-day that all Soviet diplomats and 50 per cent, of aU Russians in the United States on ordinary visas have “ spy responsibility.” He was testifying before the Senate Judiciary Sub-committee studying legislation to keep out undesirable aliens from the United States and prevent alleged abuses of diplomatic immunity. Dr Alexeev said only 5 per cent, of Russia’s espionage agents in the United States were members of the Communist Party. The important 95 per cent. . included Russian diplomats, commercial attaches and employees of news agencies, such as Tass. Dr Alexeev added that he broke with Russia in 1946 and sought refuge in America. He now holds an engineering position in New York. He said the diplomats of Russian satellite nations and delegates to international organisations were “nothing but sections of the Soviet Embassy.” He added'that they reported to' the first secretary of the Russian Embassy, who represented the Russian Secret Police. Various military attaches obtained all iniormation obtainable in their specialised fields, and de•spatched it to Moscow through the Embassy. Dr Alexeev said the “primary target was the atom bomb. The principal sources of. information were mainly Communist forces in the '•'United States, hired informers, and fellow-travellers.”