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Russia Condemns 'Baseless' US Allegations over 'Secret Agents'
Russia has condemned allegations that it ordered 11 secret agents to run a “deep cover” spying operation in the US as “baseless”.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said the arrests by the FBI were "deplorable" at a time when the two countries' leaders were trying to improve relations.
"Anna Chapman". A defendant known as "Anna Chapman" allegedly communicated with a Russian official in Manhattan in January as she sat in a coffee shop and he pulled up outside in a van. The FBI alleges that they used a wireless network via paired computers. (Photo: Facebook)
The defendants are accused of being so-called "illegals", working for the
Russian foreign secret service under false identities to penetrate US
government policy-making circles.
It is alleged that they were tasked with gleaning intelligence on nuclear weapons, foreign policy and Congressional politics.
The scandal comes just days after a bilateral summit between President Dmitry Medvedev and US President Barack Obama that was designed to underscore warming ties between the two Cold War adversaries.
In a statement, Russia's Foreign Ministry said: "Such actions are baseless and improper.
"It is highly deplorable that all of this is happening against the background of the reset in Russia-US ties announced by the US administration itself."
Earlier, Sergei Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister, accused the US of remaining silent over the string of arrests on Sunday evening. and demanded an explanation.
During a visit to Jerusalem, Mr Lavrov said: "The subject was not explained to us. I hope they will explain."
He added: "The only thing I can say today is that the moment for doing that (making the arrests) has been chosen with special elegance."
The FBI accuses the SVR, the successor organisation to the Soviet Union's KGB, of running a network of "illegals", described in court documents as Russians who received training in languages, codes and ciphers, invisible writing and counter-surveillance before living in the United States under false identities.
Each of the 10 was charged with conspiracy to act as an agent of a foreign government, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison on conviction.
They were alleged to have met US government officials given codenames such as "Farmer", "Parrot" and "Cat" as well as engaging such tried and tested espionage methods as dead drops and brush passes.
As well as the 10 arrested in New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts and Virginia over the weekend, the FBI identified an eleventh suspect, known as "Christopher R. Metsos" who remains at large.
The nature of their work was said to have been outlined in a secret message to two of those arrested: "You were sent to USA for long-term service trip.
"Your education, bank accounts, car, house etc - all those serve one goal: fulfil your main mission, i.e. to search and develop ties in policy-making circles in US ..."
Many of the details of the criminal complains read like an outline of a John LeCarre novel.
A defendant known as "Anna Chapman" allegedly communicated with a Russian official in Manhattan in January as she sat in a coffee shop and he pulled up outside in a van. The FBI alleges that they used a wireless network via paired computers.
Two months later, a similar communication allegedly took place when she was in a bookshop and the Russian official, based at Russia's mission to the United Nations, was outside with a briefcase.
Chapman was later approached by an FBI agent posing as a Russian who told her: "My name is Roman, I work in the consulate."
He told her to give a false passport to another agent and that she was to introduce herself her by saying: "Excuse me but haven't we met in California last summer?" The other agent was to reply: "No, I think it was in the Hamptons."
A message from alleged conspirators in Boston gave details about a new head of the CIA and the 2008 presidential election gained from a "former legislative counsel for US Congress".
The complaint also detailed how one of the accused known as "Donald Howard Heathfield" met a former high-ranking US government official to discuss "research programmes on small yield high penetration nuclear devices.
An accused known as "Cynthia Murphy" allegedly sent back a number of reports about the global gold market.
Court papers allege that the defendants led ordinary suburban lives, "deepening" their false identities by taking ordinary jobs, living as married couples, having children and even trying to buy homes in the US.
Prosecutors claim: "Illegals will sometimes pursue degrees at target-country universities, obtain employment, and join relevant professional associations; these activities deepen an illegal's ‘legend'.
"Illegals often operate in pairs - being placed together by Moscow Centre while in Russia, so that they can live together and work together in a host country, under the guise of a married couple.
"Illegals who are placed together and cohabit in the country to which they are assigned will often have children together; this further deepens an illegal's ‘legend'."
Experts have expressed their astonishment at the scale and dedication of the scheme allegedly undertaken by SVR.
Oleg Kalugin, a former KGB general who was a Soviet spy in the United States in the 1960s and 1970s under "legal" cover as a diplomat and Radio Moscow correspondent, said he believed the project was more ambitious than similar attempts by spies during the cold war.
He told the New York Times: "It's a return to the old days, but even in the worst years of the cold war, I think there were no more than 10 illegals in the U.S., probably fewer."
Vladimir Kolesnikov, deputy chairman of the security affairs committee in the lower house of Russia's parliament, said the arrests signalled that some quarters of Washington opposed warmer ties with Russia.
"Regrettably, there are people in America burdened by the legacy of the Cold War, the legacy of double standards," he said. "And they react improperly to the warming of relations spearheaded by the presidents. It's a blow to President Obama."
He said that US secret agents were active in Russia and suggested that Moscow might respond in kind to Washington's round-up.
"Previously we have quietly evicted some of them," he said. "Now I think we should more actively apply criminal legislation against them."
32 Comments so far
Show AllIndignant we must be. How many spies do we have in most every country in the world? How many innocents are dead because of our global spy activities? How many spies does Israel have in our country and in our government? We have spent more taxpayer money on undemocratic spy activities on our own people and abroad than Russia probably ever will. Americans seem to walk willingly into this pit of deception, fostered not by some foreign nationals, but rather by their own gullibility in believing those they trust as their own. Our most serious and dangerous enemies are U.S. citizens in positions of power, government and corporations. When people wake up to this reality, it will be very late indeed.
Panic ! Panic ! More money is needed for police, homeland security and military...the Russians are coming, the Russians are coming !
The FBI's real concern is that these spies probably uncovered the names of the crooks who have secretly met with the Obama Regime and Congressmen to craft the pro-corporate, anti-worker legislation that is being thrust upon us.
USA Special Forces Assassins in 75 nations.
USA imprisons its own citizen while israelis are set free for the same spying incident.
Holy carp batman, check out the photo of the WMD. (Woman of Mass Distraction) ;-)
Hey you have to inject a bit of levity every now and then so we all just don't start crying at our keyboards...
Normally, I'm in favor of capital punishment for spies, but in her case a spanking may be in order.
I literally LOLed at your comment. Thanks I needed that.
At least Russia is smart enough to know what american policy makers like. I bet she received more information than wikileaks. LOL!
"You were sent to USA for long-term service trip. Your education, bank accounts, car, house etc - all those serve one goal: fulfil your main mission, i.e. to search and develop ties in policy-making circles in US ..."
LeCarre would never stoop to such obvious exposition. Presuming the charges are true, why, Why, WHY would a Russian control send a message like that to any long-term agent??
Something bogus going on here.
More likely eleven Oswalds were rounded up. Anything that increases the fear level justifies additional expenditures on defense.
Putin claims the new Russian T-50 fighter will be superior to the F-22 Raptor in terms of maneuverability, weaponry and range and will cost one third what similar western fighters sell for. This is the first major Russian fighter project since the cold war. How did they do it? Who gave them our plans, drawings and the advanced technology itself? Did these eleven Oswalds steal the technology? Did we transfer the technology via our friend India. Or, was it some sunshine patriot from the MIC or CIA type who transferred our advanced technology to justify the expense of the Joint Strike Fighter program. I can just hear the hawks screaming in Congress that now we need the JSF. Sounds like a job for John Mc Cain or Lieberman or better yet Waxman. Hang on to your wallets America.
While the T-50's capabilities would probably be exaggerated, the Russians have pretty advanced technology themselves. They have among the best anti air rockets in the world, the Topol M is certainly the most advanced nuclear missile. Germany have the most advances submarines, Norway the most advanced stealth cruise missiles a.s.o. While other countries don't spend as much as the US on the military, it doesn't mean they can't make the best equipment. It probably means the money invested actually goes somewhere else than beaurocratic black holes in the Pentagon, or for absurdly excessive spending and over-charging by the hands of "contractors" with a carte blanches when it comes to negotiating budgets.
A military budget shouldn't be interpreted as military might. When the US can't win two wars against two third world countries, I guess that would make humankind in general look pretty puny if it was truth in the notion that the military _might_ of the US was larger than all other countries combined. It's just your budgets. What the Raptor is concerned, it and the JSF is just a bailout for the MIC..
They aren't exaggerated.
You need to keep in mind that that T50 / PAK-FA was designed in response to the F22. Like most USSR fighter planes. It is reasonable that the plane that came after, that was designed as a response to the one that came before is better. In response, the US will probably design a counter to the T50 that is better.
That is pretty much the history of fighter plane developement since the end of WW2. US designs a fighter that is the best at that time. The USSR counters with something better. The US then comes up with something better. And so on, spending / wasting lots of money.
Why do you think that Russia needs the US's plans for the F22 to design the T50 / PAK-FA?
And no, the technology wasn't transferred to India. The US has actually refused to sell the F22 to anyone. Which is why Japan is exploring developing its own alternative. And which is why India is planning to buy a 2 seater variant of the T50 / PAK-FA from Russia.
Good lord! I guess that the MIC sees a growth opportunity in resurrecting the Cold War.
Next we'll hear about NAZI spies uncovered in the State Department. Oh wait! Those are Mossad agents.
Personally, I think that Viet Nam is planning to attack San Francisco. :-(
jj
"Next we'll hear about NAZI spies uncovered in the State Department. Oh wait! Those are Mossad agents."
How do you tell the difference?
But, no human being is illegal. (That's what I've been told.)
what american way "OF LIFE?"
as far as the world is concerned...that "american way" has proven to be disastrous on all fronts:
Environmentally, economically, culturally, politically and socially.
heck -- the "american way" of "life" was responsible for EXTERMINATION of native indians - right up to today's DEAD ZONES in the southern coast of the USA ...and the Global economic debacles CONCOCTED in Washington, Wall Street and the "american way" of "life".
as Sigmund Freud said:
"AMERICA (usa) is an accident -- a DISASTROUS accident".
Where does one sign up to be subverted by Anna Chapman?
Hah! She is absolutely one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen. Though it is odd, when do spies take Professional headshots?
Oleg Kalugin, I'll never forget his face smile and accent when he came to our (Jim and Jean's) apartment at 55 Leroy St. in the Village, NYC. around the late 60's.
I knew about the plot to kill JFK before it happened and have been investigating ever since.
Maybe he thought I was CIA but he wanted me to spy for Russia... maybe because my maternal grandparents who were also involved in the cold war garbage were from Belarus (Russia Poland) as Grandma called it.
So, I told Oleg that I don't spy for any country, I spy for everyone.
He smiled and looked relieved and left.
I also suspected he was probably a US agent trying to entrap me because I always thought I was under surveillance, so why would a foreign agent take such a chance of gettin caught?
He claims now, the last time I checked, he was a real Russian agent just trying to recruit a few young interesting Americans at the time. I don't know if he ever denied being a double agent like most were on both sides anyway.
Around that time period, in Cleveland, I asked my Dad's old friend, Gus Hall, if Russia funded the CPUSA and he laughed and said, "No we are funded by the Rothschild Bank".
This was before I found out that Hoover bragged about how half the CPUSA members were FBI.
I have concluded that the International Banksters control the War Machine.
What, no Russki honeytrap expose yet in the media?
Or better yet, a well-known evangelist get's caught up in a sticky honeytrap splurging church-goers millions and giving away state secrets on angels to the Russians?
But back to reality.....
In any case EVERY country is performing spying on every other country. Nothing new here in this news item and events. Perhaps it's just a bit of stuff being bandied about to show how 'effective' the USA's security is in order to either let the populace feel 'safe', or perhaps the USA is playing games with Russia in the leadup to something more harsh.....perhaps another US invasion soon?
Expect to see some tit-for-tat spy exposings in Russia of US spies.
(no pun intended) ;-)
Anything to distract the American public from the ongoing US military program of occupation, bombing, murder and torture in Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Somalia and Yemen. Heck of a job, corporatist media...
Why go through all the cloak and dagger spy stuff? America will sell you anything you want and if they won't you can still get it at one of their proxy outlet countries for a slight mark-up. Perhaps Russia can no longer compete in the bribery game since the Supremes now allow unlimited bribes to US officials. Must be cheaper getting info with a hot piece of @ss than paying some ugly wrinkled white guy hundreds of thousands every election cycle.
did anyone notice where the photo of anna came from????........
says it all really......................
So let me get this straight. If the president thinks an American citizen is a threat, he can order their murder anywhere in the world, in or out of a combat zone. But, if you are a foreign born spy seeking to harm the country, they indict you and then let you out on bail. WTF?
that just about sums it up caleb....................
what happens if they skip bail???............
Christ. I read a headline in the "Star Ledger"(Newark NJ) - "Montclair pair accused as spies" and thought "they're finally cracking down on the Israelies". Then I read "Russians" and thought, they've got to be kidding. Chinese yes, Israel, so what else is? But Russia!
There're are more Russians in Israel selling sex than there could be Russians named Murphy in the US selling info from the US Congress or the Pentagon. The latter are perhaps the most ill informed entities on the face of this earth.
It is such a delight reading this commentary, youse have made my day!
The article states, "It is alleged that they were tasked with gleaning intelligence on nuclear weapons, foreign policy and Congressional politics."
On nuclear weapons, what does it matter. The Russians already have the bomb. No secret there.
As for U.S. foreign policy, it's an open book: oil politics, perpetual war. The goal is to build an oil pipeline through Central Asia, bypassing the former Soviet Union. No secret there either.
The third item - Congressional politics - is a genuine puzzle, and the spies (if that's what they are) are to be commended for trying to get any information at all. Maybe they could share it with U.S. citizens? However, I would be truly sorry if they had to sleep with a Congressman. Bribery is much less unpleasant, and it's the national sport of Congress' corporate pals. Corporate bribery is all pretty much "legal" these days, or it's considered a form of talking by the Supreme Court, so bribe away.
Tip to Russians: Congress isn't the center of power. You're wasting your time! Get on the board of Exxon-Mobile or something. Best of luck. And if it's OK for Congresswoman Jane Harman to cavort with AIPAC to get appointed to some committee in exchange for leniency on Israeli spies, then it's perfectly OK for Russians to have wireless conversations in coffee shops.
-TIA
"Illegals" is not a noun. It's not a term that belongs in America. It belongs in Nazi Germany.
So far it looks like this game was set up to get exposed to show how harmless it is, while the only country that would benefit from a chill in US/Russian relations would be Israel.