OT(?)
Russian ex-spy says nukes hidden in California
Tuesday, 25 January 2000 14:06 (ET)
Russian ex-spy says nukes hidden in California
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 25 (UPI) -- A Soviet spy identified as the highest ranking
member of the Russian military intelligence agency to defect to the United
States, made a dramatic appearance Monday before a congressional hearing to
repeat his previous claims that Soviet agents had stashed weapons and
communications for future sabotage against U.S. targets.
Former Col. Stanislav Lunev wore a black bag over his head and used an
electronic device to disguise his voice as he testified from behind a
protective barrier that blocked all but the congressional panel from seeing
him.
Lunev has suggested before, in a book published after he defected seven
years ago, that portable nuclear devices may be lurking in suitcases hidden
across the United States, but critics including State Department officials
strongly dispute the claims. They point out that no such caches of either
nuclear "suitcase bombs" or other weapons and communications equipment have
ever been found in the United States. On Monday, Lunev did not have to face
tough questions about details of his charges because the hearing was
conducted by two Republican congressmen who are sympathetic to his
cause-Reps. Dan Burton, R-Indiana and Joe Scarborough, R-Fla. Burton said he
held Monday's hearing in Los Angeles because California was allegedly one of
the major targets.
Lunev said he cannot provide exact locations of the caches because his role
was only to locate potential sites for the gear that later Soviet agents
would use to disrupt U.S. life in a campaign of sabotage. In his heavy
Russian accent, Lunev testified: "I had very clear instructions: These
dead-drop positions would need to be for all types of weapons, including
nuclear weapons." The "dead-drops" also were to include guns, radios, maps
and cash.
The Los Angeles Times quoted an unnamed State Department official Tuesday as
saying the U.S. government is taking the allegations seriously(cont)
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