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To: qdog who wrote (6042)	12/8/1997 8:41:00 PM
From: Caxton Rhodes	Respond to of 152472

I take it, you answered my question. More spy news: U.S. urges Russia drop charges against technician WASHINGTON, Dec 8 (Reuters) - The United States urged Russia on Monday to drop spying charges against U.S. telephone technician Richard Bliss and said any delay in settling the case could hit U.S. business interest in the Russian economy. On Saturday the Russian authorities released Bliss from custody in Rostov-on-Don but ordered him not to leave the southern city pending questioning on his activities. The Kremlin says there are no political overtones to the charges and it has nothing to do with the case. State Department spokesman James Foley, asked about the developments at the weekend, again said Bliss was not a spy. ''We believed the charges are groundless and we've made that clear, I think, very forcefully from this podium and in our meetings and discussions with Russian government officials. It is a positive step that he has been released but the charges remain and we would like to see them dropped,'' he said. Bliss, who works for San Diego-based telecommunications company Qualcomm Inc (Nasdaq:QCOM - news), was detained on November 25 and accused of gathering secret information while carrying out surveillance work using illegal satellite equipment. He was formally charged with espionage on Friday, a charge which can carry a jail term of up to 20 years. Bliss, 29, and his employers also deny he is a spy. Foley said the case could affect business sentiment but declined to comment on any effect it might have on economic assistance to the Russians. ''If this matter were not resolved promptly and in a satisfactory manner, it might have a chilling effect on the ability of American business to ... contribute positively to the further development of Russian economic reforms,'' he said. ''It is simply a matter of fact that if businessmen, legitimate businessmen, cannot go about and do their business overseas in any country -- and in this case in Russia -- it will have a chilling effect,'' he added. ''We believe a mistake has taken place. It's time to rectify the mistake and to move on. Mistakes are made in life, and we don't see that this would have a long-term negative consequence provided that it is addressed promptly,'' he said. Pressed on who had made the mistake, the spokesman said the Russian authorities.