The Miernik Dossier - Charles McCarry [6]
“I have no idea,” said Collins.
“That is what Miernik thinks,” said Khan. “That is what he told the D.C. in your presence, I believe.”
Khan was agitated. Collins paid him no attention.
“If that’s so, then Miernik had better sleep with some girls before he goes,” said Khatar. “He may not have the chance after he’s clapped into the dungeon.”
“I assure you,” said Khan, “it is not funny.”
“No,” said Collins, “I suppose it isn’t.”
I deduced from Collins’ reaction to this conversation that what Khan said was substantially true. Collins is expected, as First Assistant to the Director General, to be a tomb of discretion. But there was no mistaking that he was disturbed and embarrassed by Khan’s spilling of secrets at the luncheon table.
Neither Miernik nor Christopher returned to the restaurant. Khatar, as usual, had no money. I paid the extra portion of the bill, and a claim for expenses is attached.
7. EXCERPT FROM TRANSCRIPTION OF A CONVERSATION, PHOTOGRAPHED BY A MOTION PICTURE CAMERA AND DECIPHERED THROUGH LIPREADING, BETWEEN VASILY KUTOSOV, AN OFFICIAL OF THE SOVIET EMBASSY IN PARIS, AND PIERRE MAILLARD, AN OFFICER OF A FRENCH INTELLIGENCE SERVICE. DATE AND PLACE OF CONVERSATION (TRANSLATED FROM FRENCH): 21 MAY, PLACE DU CARROUSEL, PARIS.
MAILLARD: One more thing, rather unimportant perhaps.
KUTOSOV: Perhaps. Tell me.
MAILLARD: We have a report from a low-grade agent in Geneva concerning a Pole named Miernik.
KUTOSOV: Given name?
MAILLARD: Tadeusz. The report says that the Poles are bringing pressure to have this man returned to Poland. The man says that he fears that he will be imprisoned for espionage.
KUTOSOV: What sort of espionage?
MAILLARD: It is not specified. He has a large circle of foreign contacts.
KUTOSOV: What sort of foreigners?
MAILLARD: I know of an Englishman, a Sudanese, a Pakistani.And, of course, an American.
KUTOSOV: Ask for more information.
MAILLARD: It’s difficult. We have no direct interest.
KUTOSOV: Find a way.
8. REPORT BY A POLISH NATIONAL CONTROLLED BY A WESTERN INTELLIGENCE SERVICE (EXCERPT).
Other matters discussed by the Deputy Foreign Minister of the USSR in his conversations with the Deputy Foreign Minister of the Polish People’s Republic:
. . . The Russian presented an optimistic report of progress made by the Soviet diplomatic arms in Africa. It is the view of the Foreign Ministry of the USSR that the potential exists in many African countries for the replacement of current and future reactionary native governments by more progressive elements. Poland may play an important role in this development.
It is considered that a Polish personality, operating unofficially, might find it possible to give assistance and advice to progressive elements in African countries who, for reasons of discretion, cannot deal openly and directly with the diplomatic missions of the USSR and other Socialist states. A Pole who has a reputation as an anti-Communist and a history of conflict with the Polish government would be ideal for this role. It is considered essential that such a person should possess Western citizenship, or at least a bona fide travel document issued by a Western state.
Countries of prime interest are Kenya, Tanganyika, Somaliland, Ethiopia, Sudan.
It was agreed that this project should be discussed by responsible officials in the two ministries, with the participation of the ministries of state security of the two countries.
23 May
9. CABLE RECEIVED BY THE U.S. CHIEF OF STATION, GENEVA, FROM HIS HEADQUARTERS.
1. CHRISTOPHER SHOULD PURSUE MIERNIK MATTER TO DETERMINE HIS INTENTIONS. POSSIBILITY MIERNIK MAY BE ATTEMPTING TO PROVOKE CHRISTOPHER INTO REVEALING SELF. INSTRUCT CHRISTOPHER TO MAKE NO REPEAT NO SUGGESTION HE CAN FACILITATE DEFECTION THROUGH CONTACTS WITH US GOVERNMENT. CORRECT POSTURE FOR CHRISTOPHER IS THAT OF CONCERNED FRIEND POWERLESS TO ASSIST.
2. HEADQUARTERS DISINCLINED ENCOURAGE DEFECTION UNLESS CAN ESTABLISH MIERNIK IS OPPOSITION AGENT WITH SPECIFIC MISSION. IN THIS CASE COULD JUSTIFY FACILITATING HIS MISSION AS MEANS NEUTRALIZING