DATE=12/24/97

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-224495

TITLE=U-S / RUSSIA SPY (S ALT)

BYLINE=MICHELE KELEMEN

DATELINE=MOSCOW

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:



   ///  ED'S: MAY BE USED AS AN ALTERNATE TO CR 2-224490  ///



INTRO: AN AMERICAN CHARGED WITH SPYING IN RUSSIA IS BEING ALLOWED

TO RETURN HOME FOR CHRISTMAS.  V-O-A CORRESPONDENT MICHELE

KELEMEN IN MOSCOW REPORTS A RUSSIAN OFFICIAL SAYS THE AMERICAN,

RICHARD BLISS, WILL HAVE TO COME BACK TO RUSSIA ONLY IF

INVESTIGATORS SAY SO.



TEXT:  A SPOKESMAN FOR RUSSIA'S FEDERAL SECURITY SERVICE CALLS

THIS A HUMANITARIAN GESTURE. HE SAYS WHENEVER THE MAIN

INVESTIGATOR WANTS RICHARD BLISS TO COME BACK TO RUSSIA, THE

29-YEAR-OLD AMERICAN WILL HAVE TO MAKE THE TRIP.  BUT, THE

SPOKESMAN SUGGESTED THE CASE MAY BE RESOLVED THROUGH POLITICAL

CHANNELS.



U-S OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN URGING RUSSIA TO DROP CHARGES AGAINST MR.

BLISS, WHO WORKS FOR THE CALIFORNIA-BASED TELECOMMUNICATIONS

COMPANY QUALCOMM.  HE WAS ARRESTED IN ROSTOV-ON-DON NOVEMBER 25TH

AND SPENT 12 DAYS IN JAIL FOR ALLEGEDLY SURVEYING SENSITIVE AREAS

WHILE SETTING UP A CELLULAR TELEPHONE NETWORK.



HE HAS ADMITTED CARRYING OUT THE WORK, BUT DENIES HE IS A SPY.

THE U-S GOVERNMENT CALLS THE CASE GROUNDLESS.  (SIGNED)



NEB/MLK/JWH



24-Dec-97 10:51 AM EST (1551 UTC)

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Source: Voice of America

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