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THE SOVIET FISHERMEN

by

LEE VINCENT

(The author of the following article has spent several years in the diplomatic service of a nation allied closely to the U. S.)

Six months ago, I was traveling on a train to Chicago with a Canadian friend of mine who also happened to be a psychologist-a distinguished and colorful personality. We happened to be discussing, among other things, society's influence on the behavioral pattems of the individual. Sounds like a dull topic, doesn't it? However, the fact that we were shortly joined by several individuals within earshot will, no doubt, refute this.

Our heated discussion was interrupted by the arrival of a news vendor whose clarion call: "Chicago Tribune-Two American Intelligence Agents Flee to Russia!!!! Read all about it!" rang throughout the chair car. We did 'read all about it' and since that day in July, 1960, I have given much thought to the case of Martin and Miller-and, being curious by nature also undertook a study of the Soviet Intelligence System. Here are my findings:

First of all, the USSR sends a spy abroad-say to America. For convenience we shall call him Mr. A. Mr. A. settles himself within the confines of the Soviet Embassy in Washington D.C., presumably in the capacity of an attache or a mere chauffeur. He attends social functions; goes to football trade fairs and, quite often, (which is more than I can say for most games, of our diplomats) he gets out and "meets the people on the street." Mr. A's memory having been carefully trained, he then proceeds to compile reports on the individuals he might have met throughout his. 'working day'-most

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certainly he includes all that these individuals might have mentioned. Via devious means (for some reason the Russians don't even trust their own Diplomatic Bag) these reports reach Moscow and are incorporated in the Central Index by the MVD (Soviet Secret Police). The Central Index is, perhaps, the world's largest 'Who's Who?' and contains the names of individuals who may express favorable opinions toward Soviet policies; join communist organizations, etc. Over a period of time, more and more information is gathered and further biographical data added to each individual's file. Now, Mr. A. has sent in his report and, supposing-let me give the actual example-Mr. A. happened to meet Mr. Martin of N.S.A. He reports that Martin was 'cordially disposed' (i.e. directed him to his destination) towards the USSR. In the process of recording this information in Martin's file, the MVD discovers that Martin works for a U. S. Government Agency and immediately Moscow orders another agent to check further. For convenience, we shall call this man Mr. B. Mr. B's activities are not co-ordinated with Mr. A's in the Soviet Embassy. Usually, Mr. B. is a naturalized citizen of the country in which he or she-operates. In time, Mr. B. reports to Moscow that Martin works for N.S.A. and is engaged as a cryptologist. From the Soviet viewpoint: to have access to its enemy's codes would be a distinct advantage and so, the next step (the Russians having no scruples) was to 'get' something on Mr. Martin-which we see, they did. In due course, the investigations carried out by the MVD in the United States; revealed that Martin (who, taking his Navy service as evidence of this, would not betray his country for money or idealistic appeals) was, in fact what the lay public calls a 'sex deviate'—a homosexual.

Now, homosexuality, being punishable by a jail or prison term in the United States, (up to 20 years or even to life imprisonment) Martin could, if all else failed, be blackmailed.....as indeed, there is no doubt in my mind, he was. Martin couldn't tum to his own countrymen because, instead of treating him as a sick person-which he was-and rewarding his honesty, Martin would have been shamed; without a job and crushed under the heel of puritanical moralist factions, which do their best to convince the general public that it is better to hide the dirt under the rug-so to speak-than to tackle the problem of homosexuality in a human, Christian, and realistic manner. Though, like many another person, I do not condone Martin's behavior, I do think that we should take steps to insure that those who suffer weakness should be afforded protection from blackmail. Is there something you have done, once, which you would not like revealed? If so, and in most cases the answer would be 'yes,' then you just count yourself lucky you weren't in Martin's shoes.

:ཥྞ་བ་

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