126. Telegram From the Embassy in the Soviet Union to the Department of State1
14313. CINCEUR for ECJ3 to be passed urgently to Amb Toon only. Urgent eyes only for Ambassador Toon scheduled to be at EURCOM flight operations. Subject: Technical Penetration—Opposition Activities.
1. At approximately 1000 this morning, jack-hammer type noises were heard which emanated from behind the walls at the base of the chimney shaft in the Soviet change room. It was suspected that the opposition was attempting to break into the shaft from the basement of the building which adjoins the Embassy’s south wing. Consequently, a partial demolition of the north wall of the shaft from within the change room was conducted in an effort to determine what the opposition was attempting to do. No technical penetration was discovered as a result of this demo.
2. Below the floor of the change room along the west wall which adjoins the Soviet building, there is located an approximate 12″ × 12″ light concrete ventilation shaft which runs in a north-south direction. We broke into this shaft and discovered a penetration from the basement of the apartment building which measures approximately 18” square. This penetration is not the location from where the original jack-hammer noises came from. Once the opposition learned that we were aware of their activities all jack-hammering ceased. [2½ lines not declassified] We are maintaining surveillance in the change room.
3. At 1445 the Charge and counselor for administration were called into UPDK (the diplomatic service agency). The results of this meeting and post’s recommendations are being transmitted by septel.2
- Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P890106–0986. Secret; Niact Immediate; Exdis; Handle as Nodis. Sent to CINCEUR in Vaihingen, Germany.↩
- In telegram 14311 from Moscow, June 21, the Embassy reported that the UPDK demanded that the chimney be restored to its original condition. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P890106–0988)↩