SPY RECRUITING

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP88-01070R000301750018-5
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 11, 2010
• Sequence Number: 18
• Publication Date: June 7, 1985
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

Approved For Release 2010/01/11: CIA-RDP88-0107OR000301750018-5
RADIO TV REPORTS, INC.
4701 WILLARD AVENUE, CHEVY CHASE, MARYLAND 20815 [phone]
FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS STAFF
DATE June 7, 1985 6:00 P.M. CITY Atlanta, Ga.
SUBJECT Spy Recruiting
MARY ALICE WILLIAMS: To the Russians, he was the
perfect spy, until he got caught. CNN's Carl Rochelle examines
what the Soviets look for when they recruit a foreign agent.
CARL ROCHELLE: Spy suspect John Walker, according to
his ex-wife, was in financial difficulty. The problem,
apparently a bar he bought near Charleston, South Carolina. This
was about the time he allegedly began to sell government secrets
to the Soviets.
According to a former KGB agent, financial problems are
what the Soviets look for when trying to recruit spies.
STANISLAV LEVCHENKO: When they see obvious vulner-
ability, which usually mean money, probably some family problems,
probably also some mortgage trouble, then they try to recruit
them as soon as possible and control them entirely.
ROCHELLE: Convicted spy William Bell, who worked for
the Hughes Corporation, a defense contractor, did it for money, a
loan from a Polish Communist agent so he could buy a condominium.
MAN: ...and then he had him in a position where he was
pretty much hooked. Then he began putting pressure on him to get
classified documents, which Bell furnished to him for something
like $170,000 in gold.
He did receive money, but the first inducement turned
out just to be a social contact.
ROCHELLE: KGB agents also look for potential turncoats
at high-tech fairs, such as this one held in Washington last
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week. The displays of equipment attract specialists trying to
keep up with the latest in the industry.
Levchenko says when the agents go there, they have done
their homework and they know who they believe is vulnerable.
But Dr. John Boyce, a retired Admiral who organized the
fair, said they are always on the lookout for agents.
DR. JOHN BOYCE: We have had instances where known
agents have come into controlled events such as this. They are
public domain. They have been cleared previously. And they are
immediately reported. If there is any conversation that takes
place with our people, those conversations are reported back
through the proper channels.
ROCHELLE: John Walker is accused of recruiting the
other members of his alleged spy ring. That, says former KGB
agent Levchenko, is what the Soviets like, because it keeps their
role to a minimum. And he said the Soviets prefer those willing
to sell out their country for money.
Approved For Release 2010/01/11: CIA-RDP88-0107OR000301750018-5