USSR/ESPIONAGE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP88-01070R000201040006-7
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 21, 2008
• Sequence Number: 6
• Publication Date: January 23, 1984
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

Approved For Release 2008/10/21 :CIA-RDP88-010708000201040006-7
23 January 1984
USSR/ESPIONAGE RATHER: The only consulate that the Soviet Union has in
the United States is in San Francisco, the city by the hay
that is also the city by the valley, Silicon Valley, one of
this country's mayor centers for sensitive, high tech
research. Computers,. of course, are used in that research.
And much of the information exchanged among .the computers
is by telephone. According to many, it is no coincidence
that the Soviets have chosen to locate their consulate high
above this valley. Barry Peterson reports.'
PETERSON: It is perched in one of the most prestigious
neighborhoods of San Francisco. Still, it is not the
address that angers critics, but the perch itself. On top
of the consulate are a variety of antennas. The Soviets
say they're only for communication with other Soviet
installations or witi~ Moscow. But hidden inside these
rooftop structures, say intelligence experts, are other,
more sophisticated antennaes. JOHN SHEA (Intelligence
Expert): The other antennas that are on the roof are used,
coupled with a computer scanning system that can~be ~
.' acquired legally in this country or through Canada to
monitor selected telephone exchanges within the Silicon
Valley, San Francisco, San Josea area. GENNADY GERMAN
(Soviet Vice Consul): These allegations, as I see them,
are a product of misunderstanding, hatred and mistrust of
the Soviet Union.
PETERSON: Many calls, especially long distance, are
relayed via microwave. And a tap into the calls requires
one important element, height. The eavesdropping equipment
must be high enough. Not only is the consulate high
enough, but experts claim the top floors are given over to
elaborate electronic equipment, and dozens of highly
trained specialists. GERMAN: This is simply not true.
And I can tell you for sure that we don't have a specialist.
fn this, in our consulate who can really tell an Apple, you
know, from an atom bomb.
PETERSON: The Soviet ability to monitor calls could be
reduced somewhat by simply moving the consulate, putting in
in a location, for instance, surrounded by hills. But the
Soviets are here. Not surprisingly, they like what they
have. They're likely to stay. But the Soviets are on the
move in Washington, D.C., moving from downtown to a new
embassy building on a commanding hill. One that critics
say enhances the Soviets' ability to intercept
communications form the CIA, the Pentagon and other
government buildings. The new American Embassy being built
in Moscaw, however, is in a low lying area sometimes called ~
the swamp, less able to do to the Soviets what some believe
the Soviets are doing to us. Walter Huddleston is a ~
long-time member of the Senate Intelligence Committee.
HUDDLESTON: Well, the Soviets obvioulsy won that one, and
they're winning constantly.
~{J~VTINUED
Approved For Release 2008/10/21 :CIA-RDP88-010708000201040006-7
 Approved For Release 2008/10/21 :CIA-RDP88-010708000201040006-7
PETERSON: In San Francisco, Soviet diplomats can enjoy a
panoramic view of the bay from their consulate. But more
worrisome is the consulate's proximity to the high
pressure, high-tech Silicon Valley, where so much advanced
defense work takes place. Are we're being naive to let
this building stay here with the equipment you believe is
inside of it? SHEA: Yes, we are.
PETERSON: Why? SHEA: Because we're basically handing to
the Soviets, technology on a silver, platter.
PETERSON: No one can prove the Soviets are eavesdropping.
But most experts agree the Soviets are hungry for American
technology and smart enough to steal it from thin air.
Barry Peterson, CBS News, San Francisco.
Approved For Release 2008/10/21 :CIA-RDP88-010708000201040006-7