That which enables a wise ruler and a good general to strike, to conquer and to attain goals beyond the reach of ordinary mortals is "prior knowledge..." -Sun Tsu (5th Century BCE)
In the modern world, this "prior knowledge" is called "Secret Services", and "Espionage" by novelists
NIGHT FLIGHT FROM MOSCOW
On October 15th, the US Ambassador to France placed in the hands of the President of France
... a personal letter from the President of the US:
Dear Mr President: In view of the gravity of the matter I felt necessary to communicate this...
... to you directly, without recourse to the usual diplomatic channels.
From revelations from a high-ranked member of the Soviet secret service
... who was just granted asylum in the US...
... we've learned of the existence in France of a vast espionage network working for the USSR.
Its members are within the decision- making echelons of your government,
and exercise the highest political, military and economic functions.
My services are at your disposition to supply the details
... which will enable you to neutralize this threat to the security of France and the free world.
The president will see you now.
Paris, Orly Airport, September 15th
Mr. And Mrs. Vlassov...
Flight 302 to Moscow.
Gate 3.
- A bottle of brandy, please. - Yes, monsieur.
Thank you.
Mr. Vlassov, from flight 302 to Moscow, please go to Gate 3 for boarding...
M. Alexei Federovitch... no. Fedorovitch Vlassov.
Second Counsellor of the USSR Embassy.
Yes, in Paris.
He's asking for your protection
No, there's his wife in the departure lounge.
He's afraid they may force her to leave.
We inform passengers that Flight 302 to Moscow will be delayed one hour...
Yes, he is here. No, he jumped to the Airport Police.
I couldn't do anything.
Yes, yes, all right. I'll try that.
I repeat that he didn't say anything. I knew nothing; how could you expect...
Madam, I must ask you to give me your passport.
A representative from our Foreign Affairs Dept will arrive.
The First Secretary of our Embassy is also under way.
We inform Flight 302 to Moscow is delayed due to the late arrival of an incoming aircraft...
Lunch will be served. Departure expected in two hours.
I'm the airport director. My assistant.
The Soviet Embassy gentlemen are here. If you follow me...
Cnel Vlassov has behaved in a regrettable manner,
... but this is understandable. He is on the point of a nervous breakdown.
In fact, he is returning to Moscow on sick leave.
If M. Vlassov wishes to remain in France, we have some excellent neurologists...
Inspector Joost. Madame Vlassov is here.
We protest your treatment of Madame Vlassov!
She holds a diplomatic passport. It has been taken from her.
This is illegal sequestration!
I assume you do not fully understand the use of the words you... employ.
Needless to say, if Mme Vlassov wishes to leave, she's free to do so at anytime.
This, moreover, is what we are about to ask her... If you'll permit.
Will you please come in, madame?
No; only Mme Vlassov.
Sit down please, Madame.
Madame: do you wish to take the plane to Moscow?
You may speak without fear.
Where is my husband?
I want to see my husband.
Monsieur Vlassov, please...
Col. Vlassov, it is still time, think it over!
I have nothing to explain to you!
If you can't speak French you would kindly restrict yourselves to English!
Alexei...
What's going on? What means all this? What should I do?
Madame: we must ask you to speak only in French or English.
Tatiana... I'm not going back.
I'm asking you, to come with me.
There is nothing to be afraid of.
We will be protected.
But... the children?
Tatiana: Ivan is 20. Grigory, 18... They have grown up.
I'm going home...
Gentlemen: again I'm asking you to take me to the embassy of the USA.
Of course you're going to the Americans...
But first listen to me, "M. le Conseilleur Sovietique":
You are Col Alexei Vlassov of the KGB.
We have been watching you for months.
Try to understand our position.
We cannot let you go off like that.
We are not running a travel agency...
"Pick me up at the airport..." "Drop me off at the American Embassy..."
You have to give us something for all this.
Look: we are asking very little, comrade.
Answer one question for us: one little one.
And got even.
If it weren't for us, you will be on your way to the Red Square.
You owe us something.
It is true that I requested your protection.
Now I'm asking you to take me to the Embassy of the US.
He won't talk.
Sir, we still have 48 hours.
He didn't sleep last night.
He won't sleep much tonight.
He'll be less lively in the morning.
Sir, I'd like you to listen to someone.
Tell your story.
I just did.
Do it again.
Your name.
My name is Jeannine Santelli.
I work at the airport Duty Free Shop.
He bought some cognac this morning.
I say it all?
A piece of paper was in his 100 franc note.
He dashed into the police office.
Here's the message, sir.
Call 265.7460 immediately.
The US Embassy
Alexei Vlassov seeks political asylum.
She called... of course.
You can forget your 48 hours.
The US Embassy will be on our backs...
unless you go to the "wrong" Embassy.
Let me handle it.
Tavel! Play it soft, yes?
Just give me the names of your French contacts and we won't say anymore.
I ask you, please, to take me to the Embassy of the US.
Cnel Vlassov, if you want to go to the embassy...
To the Soviet Embassy.
I do not think you will go through with it
You'll know... In one minute.
You're comitting a professional blunder.
I know.
I understand, Mr. Minister
May I emphasize that once again
Foreign Affairs ignores our imperatives.
Vlassov is a big catch.
I submit, but deplore it.
This is murder.
It is... a suicide.
What is it... exactly, that you want to know?
Where are you, Tavel?
In front of the Soviet Embassy, Sir.
Come back.
Immediately!
Mr. Vlassov?
My name is O'Brian. American Embassy.
You called 3 minutes too early. He had cracked.
You wouldn't have got much.
You know France can't afford such a defector.
BELGIAN CUSTOMS.
Here we are, Mr. Vlassov.
Smoke Americans?
Oh, these may be even mild for me...
You'll get used to them
Your plane will leave in half an hour.
You should be in Washington at 2:30 local time
Have a nice trip, and good luck.
Thank you.
At 2:30pm local time, Cnel. Vlassov arrived in Washington aboard a special plane.
He was immediately taken to Langley, Virginia, 20 minutes from the White House...
... site of the headquarters of the Central Intelligence Agency.
It is the largest building in the Washington area after the Pentagon,
The grounds cover 140 acres, and the installation costs taxpayers about US$ 46 million.
The CIA employs about 200,000 agents abroad
around 10,000 work at headquarters,
among them research specialists, experts in electronics, economists
psychologists, atomic scientists, surgeons, doctors, pilots,
cryptologists, experts on Islamic jurisprudence, on Chinese naval construction,
on politics, metallurgy, judo, chemistry, physics and microfilms.
200,000 Communist publications are translated into English every month.
Even the most innocuous: road maps, railroad time tables, telephone directories...
reports of medical association meetings or scientific organizations.
All contribute to a constant flow of information which is immediately cross indexed.
24/7, language experts listen to foreign radios for every scrap of information.
Computers translating @ 35,000 words/hour, special microfilm laboratory, ultra high speed document copiers....
40 million punch cards are among the devices which give CIA the world's largest files.
And finally, the unpublicized activities: the special operations of the clandestine services.
Often they work to support some countries, to foment rebellion in others,
... and sometimes to bring down a government.
The NY Times has estimated the CIA annual budget at US$ 1 billion.
One man believes that it's never too expensive to be informed:
That man is Allan Davies: "Mr. CIA".
Autonomous director of this huge organization, often called "a state within the state".
It is to this hub of American intelligence where Vlassov was to undergo his first test:
... the lie detector.
Do you intend to tell the whole truth?
Yes.
- How old are you? - Fifty.
I was born the 11 of July, 1922,
In Leningrad.
When did you arrive in Washington?
- Three days ago. - When did you decide to choose freedom?
Freedom is a very personal conception.
Answer the questions as asked, Mr. Vlassov.
Do you love your children?
Yes.
Have you ever had sexual relations with a girl underage?
No.
- Have you ever wanted to have sex with a girl underage? - No!
Have you ever had sexual relations with a man?
... No.
We are now on question 388.
Were your answers truthful to this point?
Yes.
No! I haven't been entirely truthful because your questioning is stupid and obscene!
Mr. Vlassov. You are to answer yes or no only.
Did you ask for political asylum in the US?
Yes.
Did you do so with the intent of acting against the US?
No...
My actions weren't against the US! They are against the tyrants that rule my country!
- I love my country! - Once again, Mr. Vlassov, yes or no only...
Please?
How long have you been married?
21 years.
Did you still have sexual relations with Ms. Vlassov?
Under the circumstances, it would be... rather difficult.
When was the last time you have sex with Ms. Vlassov?
Now you listen to me: I'm Cnel Alexei Vlassov of the KGB;
I left my family. I risked my life, and traveled 5,000 miles....
... because I have urgent and important matters to reveal to the government of the US.
Not to go over every detail of my private life for a bunch of frustrated sex maniacs!
Shall we continue, Mr. Vlassov?
- When you were last unfaithful to Mrs. Vlassov? - You probably already know.
But I will confirm it for you.
One month ago... with one of your compatriots.
Thank you.
- Mrs. Lee: as a loyal American you must realize... - My husband is American; I'm Italian.
Madam: where did you meet Mr. Vlassov?
In Paris, at a party....
At the British Embassy.
Who introduced him to you?
We didn't need an introduction.
I looked at him, he looked at me...
And left the party together.
Wasn't your husband there?
My husband is hardly ever there.
We see each other once in a while, but...
... that evening he wasn't there.
So you left with Mr. Vlassov. Where did you go?
To my hotel.
What impression did he make on you?
Quite an impression.
You don't find men like him anymore.
Too bad.
Mrs. Lee: We're talking of Cnel Vlassov, of KGB
One of the top espionnage specialists in the USSR
During your conversation he may have revealed things of great interest to us.
I don't think what he revealed will be interesting to you.
Anyway, how do you think Mata Hari operated?
"Sweetheart: How many tanks you got between Kiev and Moscow?" Or...
even "Darling: tell me about your missiles and I'll be nice to you".
Mrs. Lee; please be serious.
He didn't speak you about his professional activities... his work?
You know what we say in Italy?
If you want to know about a man's work ask his wife.
And if you want to know about his wife talk to his mistress.
But when a man wants to make love he doesn't talk about missiles...
He makes love.
And then he snores... In America is different?
All right, we are ready.
Interrogation of Alexei Vlassov on the subject of his mission to Prague
On the 25 August 1968, during the Czechoslovakian uprising.
Ready.
Mr Vlassov: who signed your mission orders for Prague?
Col. Makarov.
He was in charge of the People's Democracies Section at the time.
What was the date you received your orders?
Last week of August 1968... I can't tell you the exact date.
Mr Vlassov, why were you chosen for this mission?
I had worked a great deal with Melkishev, our authority on Czechoslovakia.
You state that Col. Makarov was your chief of section at that time?
That is correct.
Mr. Vlassov: are you certain that Col. Makarov was in charge of the P. D. Section...
... in August of 1968?
No, you're right. Kenerevsky was still chief of that section.
Then how you explain that Makarov signed your mission orders for Prague?
Kenerevsky was on vacation in Crimea, Makarov was filling-in his place.
Tell us about your trip to Prague.
Nothing to tell. I took the plane in Damascus, and landed in Prague.
Non stop, Mr. Vlassov?
No. I changed planes in Nicosia.
No other stops?
Yes, you are right again.
The plane developed some technical trouble, I don't know what. We had to land in Sophia.
- And then what happened? - I was met by Dubrovin, who was there since the start of the events.
- Mr Vlassov, you are certain you're not mistaken about Dubrovin? - Absolutely.
He drove out to meet me, we left together in his car.
Nikolai Adrianovich Dubrovin.
No, of course not. I'm talking about Mikhail Andrevich Dubrovin.
He is fifteen years younger than the other one.
Sorry, Mr. Vlassov. You were met by Mikhail Andrevich Dubrovin
Continue.
He brought me up to date on the situation. Our tanks had already restored order...
And we had only to clean up the odds and ends.
What do you mean by clean up the odds and ends?
Wipe out the last pockets of resistence... Re-establish democratic socialism.
Re-establish Czechoslovakian democratic socialism with Russian tanks?
Yes, with the same Russian tanks that gave the Czechs freedom in 1945.
When they crushed Hitler's fascist armies.
Were you still crushing fascist armies...
... in 1968?
Sometimes the same remedy will cure different diseases.
The question of Czechoslovakia in 1968 was primarily strategic.
This was the new frontier... of our socialism.
We had paid for it... with 20 million dead in the war.
Let me point out that you have your own frontier,
and you send troops ashore to defend your way of life.
We all live in glass houses...
Mr. Vlassov: if your new frontier was so perfect...
... why are you here today?
I'm here because of Stipan Pavlovich Ivanov
Oh, tell your machines not to bother, he's not in your files.
He's a shoemaker... Has a shop in the basement of our flat.
He lost his two sons in the war...
One in Stalingrad, the other in a submarine.
One night, I was coming home after midnight
and I saw a light.
Stipan was bent over... an old shoe,
trying to make it into something usable.
as I watched him,
I realized that I had spent a lifetime
... molding, manipulating, purging... breaking men down to make new men
better men! But for Stipan, 50 years of revolution had changed nothing...
What was I to do?
In my country, you do not fight the system from within...
... that is why I'm here.
Gentlemen: Vlassov is lying.
The key question was # 390...
which concerns to his real intentions towards the US.
Did you do so with the intent of acting against the US?
No...
My actions weren't against the US! They are against the tyrants who rule my country!
That's your lie, gentlemen.
Vlassov lies!
Certainly wasn't love for Mother Russia who brought him to Washington
Nor was pity for his poor old Communist cobbler.
Let's look at the real reason:
Moscow, May first, 1964:
Crowds gather for the annual Military parade
Nikita Kruschev takes his place in the reviewing stand.
Surrounded by high military officials and Communist Party leaders
Following protocol, Marshall Malsky, Russian Defence Minister,,,
... is the last to arrive at the reviewing stand.
We recognize Marshal Gretzchkov, Borishilov, Marshal Melanovsky, Khruschev,
East Germany Prime Minister Willi Stoph, Zuzhlov, Brezhnev, Cultural Affairs Minister Katerina Kutseva,
Ivan Kugloff, Nikolai Komeinkev, Kadashin, Reghenzky, Kirov, Col. Vlassov.
Kirov has been in the Khruschev camp for 15 years.
And Vlassov marries his sister, Tatiana,
... he starts up the Party ladder, fast,
... and his talents justify the climb.
With everyone in place the parade begins.
Students of the Military Academy
Borishilov, Melanovsky and Khruschev salute
The Soviet Army's Lenin Political Academy
Brezhnev, Kutseva and Mikoyan watch the procession
Representing the Soviet Navy, the sailors of the Baltic Fleet.
The tank units.
We shortened the film because the parade goes on hours
Now the main procession of Moscow's population begins
It is interesting to note that the cameraman, no doubt following orders...
... always includes Vlassov in every film showing military or party leaders.
Flowers for Khruschov... for Kirov... and also for Vlassov.
We see Vlassov growing more important as a member of Khruschev first team.
The group Khruschev rivals would later refer to as "Personality Cult".
That was May Day 1964
A few months later in October Khruschev falls and is replaced by Brezhnev
Watch carefully this documentary of the Communist Party Congress
This time is Brezhnev who leads high officials and his own team to the platform.
Don't bother to look for Kirov...
He went down the drain with Khruschev
Naturally, our friend Vlassov lost his place in the sun as well...
You can spot him in the back rows of the hall
Just another face in the crowd, and he's back in his colonel's uniform.
It was the beginning of the end:
1966: he's assigned to the Soviet Embassy in Ankara
Posing as an assistant cultural attache.
It's there we get our initial talent spot on Vlassov
... through our British colleagues: Mr. Phillip Boyle, the Secret Intelligence Service
Yes, I met him first when I was stationed in Turkey
He seemed to be a worthwhile... target?
There was something.... vulnerable about him.
Anyway, I arranged more meetings like that... or rather casual
I got rather well with him
He seemed rather bitter, and disilussioned
No question about that.
But I wasn't convinced that his rock-bottom Communism was all shattered.
He was clearly recrutable.
Anyway, I tought the best to do was "let the fruit ripen on the tree".
So I passed the information to you
... and that rather idiotic photograph
And really that's about all. Thank you.
After Ankara, 3 years back in Moscow
Then he was sent to Paris, as 2nd Secretary to the Embassy there.
Ever since Ankara, his private life began to fall apart.
In Paris, he's allowed a few... indiscretions
But after this one, the axe falls: he's recalled to Moscow.
50 years old and not a chance of making general
He would retire a colonel... if no stiffer punishment is waiting for him in Moscow.
He has seen the West, which seems easier, freer,
much more suited to the tastes of a retired colonel...
So he defects.
Gentlemen: these are the real reasons for his presence among us today.
You know, I think Mr. Vlassov is a frightful liar.
Sure he's lying. I'd be worried if he didn't.
Yes, I suppose you would.
Vlassov is like anybody else: a little paranoid around the edges
... but who isn't in this business?
He wants to live with himself even if it means living with a traitor.
What you expect him to say? "I'll teach the sons of bitches not to promote me"?
Hell, no. He needs something more noble.
So he works out a lie about tyrants and poor shoemakers.
I kinda like his lies: they ring true.
- Leaving in the night? - Yeap.
I'm due in London tomorrow.
- We'll keep in touch, isn't it? - Course. If he speaks you'll be the first to know...
... we won't forget Ankara.
- I'm Allan Davies. - I know.
Mr Vlassov: your gonna be our guest for the next six months.
- Of course, we'll do everything we can to make your stay pleasant. - Thank you.
My name is Kate Craft.
I'm here to keep you company.
You don't say.
I could be your housekeeper, your secretary, your friend... you name it.
How much are they paying you for these... special services?
Plenty.
Do I move in with you, or do I take the guest room?
I think you'll be better off in the... guest room
You know: if you like to change housekeepers is not a problem. I won't be hurt.
Not at all. You are a perfecly lovely housekeeper
On any other circumstance I would be absolutely delighted.
And what's the problem?
I do not like performing in public!
The Soviet Union and its block pose a constant threat to the security of the West
To meet this threat, you have built yourselves a bulwark...
... a military alliance of the 14 nations under your control.
You call that alliance NATO.
It has played its part in maintaining peaceful coexistence. So far, so good.
But I'm here to tell you now, that unless you act fast...
Very fast... within two years, there will be no more Nato.
You have been penetrated.
Every high level decision taken in Nato
... has been delivered to my desk as soon as it was to yours.
That's possible because our sources are within the top echelons of the alliance.
I said the top echelons...
You have the names?
Most of them.
All, except in England.
I have no particulars on England.
As of France...
who, even though she stepped out of Nato it's still the key for the defense of Europe
I have names... And tangible proof to back them up
Your weakest point... is West Germany.
There, I have a number of names.
Somewhere near Munich. October 5th, 7a.m.
Frau von Streilitz!
The Master's horse!
I sent the news of your impending meeting with von Streilitz to the Bonn cabinet.
You what?!!
I stopped all Nato coded messages for two days!
I sent you a personal representative...
to set up this secretly but you spilled everything.
I couldn't avoid it!
You are the CIA chief, you come for a secret meeting with von Streilitz, our Defence Commander in Chief,
I can't conceal it from my own authorities.
Now you'll be able to tell them that von Streilitz is a Soviet agent!
... and that there are others...
Vlassov?
Davies...?
In my 40 years in espionage I learned to expect anything...
... but General von Streilitz?
Horst Felsen? My highest assistant for ten years?
No. I can't believe.
Herr Lepke!
He committed suicide...
Suicide... Perhaps the best proof. It means no scandal...
Terrific! No scandal... But that's not the end of it:
What are you going to do about Felsen?
Felsen is on vacation.
On the Koningzee, a lake in Southern Germany. October 8th.
The body of Horst Felsen was recovered on October 9th
London, October 10th.
Hi, Phillip! Sorry I'm late, traffic is really bad...
- Oh, Martini, very dry. - And another glass of sherry.
Am I scaring them off?
Ha, ha, no. It's a British habit. They are being discreet.
It's bad form to eavesdrop on MI6...
especially if he's a member of your own club.
You mean they know about you?
Oh, no, they know who father and grandfather were, and that our coat of arms is a cloak & dagger
- Here we are. Cheers. - Cheers.
Now, how does this Vlassov come along?
- He is in great shape, talking his head off. - Good to hear that.
You better hear what he says... then tell me how delighted you are.
You mean bad news?
I'm on my way back from Germany
They hit the jackpot! The French didn't do better themselves from outside Nato...
We should probably thank them for withdrawing their spies from Nato
We talk to France government to government. Letter from President to President. It's touchy.
Yes... but I wouldn't be too hard on the French, you know?
We are all in the... same boat.
I mean, nobody minds throwing out a rotten apple...
but we hate being told that our barrel stinks... to high heaven.
Anyway... What about lunch?
Phillip? The barrel stinks to high heaven.
Which barrel?
You mean one of ours?
Foreign Office.
Jonathan Lane and George Burger
Munich. October 15th.
To the light, we walk in shadows, like blind people we tent a wall and we are in the night, like the dead.
Olaf Geinsehofen
Otto von Dierschink
Wilhelm Friedrich Ludinger
Michael Darenhaupt
Hans Georg Lindequist
Theodor Siegenhackt
Horst Felsen "TO MY FRIEND HORST FELSEN, LUCIEN BERTHON"
Good morning, Berthon.
Poor Felsen...
He couldn't even manage a funeral to himself.
Did you know the family?
I spent a few weekends with them.
They have a cottage by the lake. Nice place to be away from all...
They've been a bit heavy handed, haven't they?
What are you talking about?
Felsen was drowned in that lake...
And not without help from our side...
The Germans are Spring cleaning...
Avoiding a scandal.
Felsen...? A Soviet agent?
Today, our homeland is mourning...
But why, this maskarade?
A military aircraft crashes... hmm?
Routine flying accident
Seven bodies? Throwing Felsen?
Eight coffins... no scandal.
Felsen was on Vlassov's list?
Now you see how stupid was going out of Nato. Nobody tells you a thing, you know?
Yes... yes, he's on the list.
I see three possibilities...
First: Felsen, unmasked, kills himself
Second: Felsen is "suicided" by the Germans to hush the affair...
Third: Felsen is liquidated by the Russians to keep him quiet.
Yes... Vlassov has done a very good job on us all...
We are beginning to find Felsens everywhere we look...
You too?
The Foreign Office.... Lane and Burger
That was indiscreet, wasn't it?
Anyway, keep it under your hat... We haven't moved yet.
In any case, we'll all be sharing our secrets in the Common Market soon.
How are things with you?
I was told to be at the Elysée Palace at four this afternoon
... will receive the names from the President himself.
Every spook in the business is here to have a last sniffle of poor ole Felsen
You know? One single bomb could put back spying in the West... 20 years?
Paris. The residence of the President of France, the Elysée Palace, October 15th
The president will see you now.
Here are Vlassov's two presents.
I've been put in charge of this agency
until the Berthon inquiry is over.
My presence here is temporary.
And I count on your help in this matter.
Deval is in charge of reports on nuclear subs
We appreciated...
his work on arms sales to Africa.
The Djebel case?
That will take two days.
Excellent
For our next meeting
Sirius will contact you in the usual way.
Amazing, no?
Not really.
That was the last act.
It starts in here.
During the German occupation, 1942-1944
Berthon works for Nazi propaganda.
At the Liberation - a trial.
"Lucien Berthon, tried for high treason"...
After the second hearing
he'd had it.
"Soviet Secret Service link revealed."
"Pro Nazi Berthon risks his head!"
At the last minute, a miracle-witness:
Gribowski
who says: 'the defendant was a member of my network...
... the Resistance'
Three years later
we find Gribowski again
listed as a Soviet agent.
Your conclusion?
If you were Gribowski, sir,
what would you have said to Berthon?
"I clear your name, but you'll work for me".
Remember that we had Vlassov
Berthon made me take him to the Soviet Embassy
to make him talk
What do you think, sir?
I think you have replaced Berthon.
To avoid any misunderstanding
I want to make my position clear.
I've been married 23 years and have 4 kids.
A plain happy marriage.
My wife is a country girl.
Her father has a vineyard.
For 23 years a perfect housewife...
devoted only to her family.
She knows absolutely nothing of Secret Service matters.
Yet today if you sent for me to say:
Tavel: Your wife's been a Soviet agent for 23 years.
I'd reply without hesitating:
That's quite possible.
It would only be after the investigation
and if it were totally negative
that I'd let myself think it unthinkable
for anyone to suspect my wife.
I had the choice of the St. Lo Prefecture
or reorganizing this office.
I should have chosen St. Lo.
Well, I let you go, Tavel...
You have a lot of work ahead of you.
I am Tavel, Branch Chief.
Thank you for coming, Mr. Deval.
I had an appointment with M. Debecourt
He'll see you in a few moments.
Forgive us for putting you through this.
Through what?
It won't take long.
It's better if I leave you alone.
I'll see you afterwards.
Run the film.
M. Debecourt is expecting us.
Please take a seat.
M. Deval, you're one of our top defense men.
Your daughter's private life is just her business
And this film wasn't given to us
by our German colleagues.
However, two years ago, your "colleagues"
tried to blackmail me.
Your daughter going to Hamburg to do that...
gave the Germans the chance to recruit our Number 3 defense man.
I'd have done the same.
It is not the case that then
you turned to Berthon for help?
I knew him.
Wasn't it natural?
It is less natural that you contacted him privately.
We have no record of your request.
What did you expect?
A press conference?
Berthon promised to keep it quiet and he did.
What could be better for you... and for me?
We know now...
Berthon intervened with Felsen, who had set up
the operation against you, and it was stopped.
Felsen and Berthon had very close links.
So what?
What did Berthon ask from you in return?
Nothing at all, you're joking!
Send for him immediately!
Deval is in charge of reports on nuclear subs
We liked his work on arms sales to Africa
The Djebel case?
That will take two days.
"The mystery case of Lucien Berthon"
"Why was he suspended?"
"The truth, Berthon!"
"Berthon case and French Counter-Espionage"
"Authorities silent on Berthon case"
"High official implicated in spy scandal"
"Lucien Berthon speaks on radio tonight"
You're tuned to Europe Number 1
Georges Leroy presents the Europe Evening debate
Our guest, Lucien Berthon, head of French
Counter-Espionage,
whose job it is to keep silent
is now ready to speak.
Dial Alma 9000 and he'll answer you.
The first calls are already coming in.
Is what happens to you a political revenge?
Nothing is happening to me.
I thought you were suspended.
That is not correct.
No sanctions have yet been taken.
Let me put the question differently.
Did your Minister approve this broadcast?
Call Anjou 2830
and ask the Minister.
I won't bother. You've answered me.
You can still try. Next call.
You're on, Mr. Slimane.
Weren't you in Lyons at one time?
During the Algerian war?
Correct.
You conducted interrogations?
Correct.
My name is Yaced Slimane.
From your office I was taken to the hospital.
Do you remember me?
Not particularly.
Lyons was 15 years ago.
I remember very well.
This is not a question.
Have you a question to ask?
No question.
That's all I can say about Ben Barka.
And now a commercial.
We'll be back with you shortly.
Next question.
Any personal contacts with Soviet agents?
Indeed.
Every time I catch one.
Now over to Gilles Delarue
Our London correspondent.
We've just had a bulletin linking
our debate with the latest news.
Go ahead London.
After the German suicide wave,
after the Berthon case in France,
England has her own spy scandal.
The news exploded tonight.
Two foreign office high officials
Burger and Lane have defected to the East.
British Intelligence is trying to track their route to Moscow.
It is likely the investigation will center on Paris.
Authorized circles hint that only
British Intelligence and a French agent
knew Burger and Lane were suspected.
They were about to be arrested.
Who tipped them off?
This is the big question here.
This is Gilles Delarue from London.
My question is short: What do you think?
If what we heard is true...
You doubt it?
This is not what I mean.
If Burger and Lane were tipped off
either by a French secret agent
or a British Intelligence person
that makes several thousand suspects.
Let's wait for the inquiry results.
We hope you'll comment on the results for us.
That was our last question.
Our time is up now.
Tomorrow the President of Matra
will discuss the Le Mans race.
Thanks for being our guest at Europe Number One.
It worked out rather well.
I think so. Thank you.
Do come to my office for a drink.
So you were here.
I tried to reach you all morning.
Your office sent for me.
What will they ask me?
They'll ask you...
about me.
How I lived, the people I saw.
If you were my mistress.
Just tell them the truth.
I can't do that!
He'd divorce me.
We stopped seeing each other 5 years ago.
I'll say we met at...
They know.
Don't worry. It won't leave their files.
It's addressed to Mr. And Mrs. Walter.
He must come too.
If you don't do something, my life's over!
What can I do?
I can't do anything.
Was it true about the Algerian?
He's going home. Tell Ducourneau.
That's a real break!
Ducourneau.
We're finished.
That's a real break.
We're finished.
Don't speak.
Give me your number.
I'll ring back in 5 minutes.
S.C. E?
Something in English on the wire tap.
He must know he's been tapped.
He cut the call short.
He's calling back 833.0590.
Police Headquarters?
What's the address for 833.0590?
It's urgent!
We just heard you... it was very good.
My phone's out of order. May I use yours?
It's from Le Bourget airport.
We'd get there too late.
He's been contacted. A meeting. Stay close.
All right.
Police! Put me on to your operator.
Do as I tell you!
A police customer wants you.
Listen carefully:
The Bir Hakeim Bridge
heading toward Passy.
Got it.
Bir Hakeim Bridge, headed for Passy.
Motor running.
This isn't a joke, huh?
Do as you're told!
Check if your rear doors are unlocked.
He jumped into a cab headed the other way.
What cab company?
G7.
Call G7!
This is the Police!
Haven't you any cars left?
Contact now the driver who took a fare on Bir Hakeim!
I know. Hold on.
He must've switched off his mike.
Keep trying.
What do I ask him?
His destination.
He won't switch it on til his fare's over.
Was he a fake cop?
Almost. Keep trying, mademoiselle!
At last!
Where are you headed?
I'm free. I took my fare to his car.
There he goes!
That's it for tonight.
- Good evening, Berthon. - Good evening.
I'm afraid you'd been a little... sacrificed in this affair, Berthon
I'm sorry.
I'm beginning to understand
Vlassov blew the cover on Lane and Burger
... you wanted to warn them without being suspected yourself
... so you let their names slip up at Felsen's funeral
Then, there were two of us who could have passed the word
And in the situation you find yourself, it was evident it wasn´t me...
It was you.
How long have you been working for the Russians?
Oh... 30 years?
The son of Sir Alfred... perfect case of treason.
I beg you... Don't use words like "treason" to me...
Keep them for people like Vlassov... Not for me.
I've been a Marxist since I was 19...
It's a very long fidelity.
Why did you want to see me?
To offer you a way out.
The Lane and Burger route?
The same.
I'm not going to Moskow.
You do realize, Berthon... that you can't stay here?
- It's prison for life! - And it would work out nicely for you...
Berthon defects, and takes all the guilt with him
Thanks, just the same.
Let's just say it's my fidelité to myself
How do you say in French.... "Think it over?"
"Refflechissez".
Good. Refflechissez.
Langley, March 15th.
Picked up Berthon with a forged passport. Got mixed up in a car accident on the way out.
So, I don't know what we would've done without you, Vlassov.
13 suicides, pretty well cleaned up Germany
Berthon, Deval will be tried in France...
Lane and Burger uncovered in England...
Who?
Jonathan Lane, George Burger, Foreign Office.
I had no British names in my list.
No; they were on my list.
But I didn't have enough to show to the Foreign Office.
I took advantage of you to test out my hunch. Turns out I was right.
They got wind of things and headed for Moskow.
I hope they took warm coats.
Davies? Ok. I'll be right there.
Why don't you come along? This might interest you.
As the task is complete there's no need for me to remain here.
Six months is a long time for a man to be cut off from the world...
You'll be leaving us today.
But I like you to see the plant before you go
This is our spectral analysis laboratory
It's your new long range bomber...
We knew everything about it except the key factor:
Its range.
We were styming for one year on it.
Then we got our hands on that:
It's a coat hanger from one of your polar airliners on the Moskow run.
We got word that the machine shavings from the plane's wings
had been re-melted... to make coat hangers.
These boys determined the composition of the metal alloy in the hangers...
There they calculated the plane's weight
the range and the full bang ho.
This is where we tinker with sight and sound.
No doubt you people got one of these...
Probably. What is it?
We call it the organ. Can we have a little concert, Pete?
- I already got Mr. Vlassov's tapes. - Sit down, Mr. Vlassov.
- Anything special you want him to say, Mr. Davies? - Yeah. Tell him how it works, Pete.
The principle is quite simple: human vocal chords can make about 50 different sounds
and these compose speech.
We separate the sounds, and then put them back together as they suit us.
Technically, it's a bit more complicated.
"The Bible tells us that the first secret agent disguised himself as a serpent and convinced Eve to taste the apple."
- Nice gadget, ain't? - Very nice.
We have one just like it.
I KNOW.
This is Aron Matomian, one of our... cut and paste experts.
Put together a slide show you should see. Sit down.
- Remember that? - Of course; it's Philip Boyle, British Intelligence.
We met a few times, in Turkey, 3 or 4 years ago.
Both stationed in Ankara. I thought he was a... very decent chap.
Did you know he'd given us your name for future reference?
According to Boyle, that photo was taken in July 1967 in Turkey, near the Russian border. Say, Aron?
You're Turkish, aren't you?
Armenian, sir, but I grew up in Turkey.
Yeah, that's right. You recognize that particular area?
Sure, my parents used to take us on outings to see Mount Ararat.
Sort of a shrine for Armenians.
That's it in the background. 16500 ft high. Where Noah landed the Ark, you know?
Yeah. If he'd known it was going to be the father of the Soviet Navy he'd have picked another mountain.
As we were saying, that shot of you and Boyle was taken in Turkey in 1967, right?
- Right. - Then I think you'll find the next shot fascinating.
Let me have the blowup of this section.
Notice that the peak is on the left in this shot.
All right, Tom.
Here is Ararat as seen from the Turkish side.
Now the peak is on the right.
In that case this photo couldn't have been taken in Turkey, as you said it was.
In fact, the Soviet use the same angle in their official tourist photo. With the peak on the left.
Your memory is a little out of focus, comrade.
You didn't meet Boyle in Turkey. You met him in the Soviet Union.
And what was Philip Boyle, the # 2 man in British Intelligence, doing with you in the Soviet Union?
Why don't you ask Phil Boyle that?
It's a little late for that, I'm afraid. Boyle's vanished in a cloud of vodka.
He's already in Moskow.
I suppose that's a pretty good answer in itself.
For the past 5 years you and Boyle have been designing the biggest goddam monkey wrench ever tossed into a machine.
And you broke a lot of good wheels too, comrade.
All right, Tom.
General von Streilitz,
Sigfried von Nassau,
Adolf Schellenberg,
Prof. Manfred Brünig; Dr. Joachim Hess,
Fritz Bender, Hans Ewert, Horst Felsen,
Deval,
... and Lucien Berthon.
You branded them as traitors... Everyone of them was clean.
Boyle hunted them down, we bought the murders as suicides.
I accidentally threw a wrench into your works when we added Lane and Burger to your list.
Boyle couldn't figure it out, couldn't contact you so he tipped off his pals, laid off on Berthon but he missed;
he panicked... and he ran.
Now, comrade: you still claim you are not here to act against the interests of the US?
I believe I've already answered that question.
In front of a lie detector.
That's right; you did.
Did you ask for political asylum in the US?
Yes.
Did you do so with the intention of acting against the interests of the US?
No.
Lie number 1.
... and the machine caught it.
My action was not against the US! It is against the tyrants who rule my country.
I love my country...
Lie # 2: the outraged patriot bit.
You knew we would spot the second lie, so you built a whole ruined career for us to follow
and, by tacking on the second lie to the first one
you made them read as one.
You damn near beat the machine, comrad.
End of the tour. For you anyway.
- You need two more portraits to complete your album, Mr. Davies... - Oh, whose?
- Mine... and yours. - I know.
Six months later. Somewhere on the border between East and West Germany, at dawn.
Nice to see you, Berthon.
- Feeling better? - Yes... Almost.
I appreciate your letting me watch this.
- Here's our man! - YOUR man.
I would have bet on him getting the electric chair... or 30 years at least,
and here you are trading Vlassov for one of your pilots.
It's fair enough.
One American for one Russian.
You're getting the worst of the deal...
Oh, were not. Vlassov isn't worth anything anymore.
But the pilot could help us understand how the Russians could knock down a reconaissance craft
... flying at 50,000 feet. That's the deal!
I'm sorry...
I'll miss these...
Let's go!
Check him out, Conley!
It's him!
Why did you resign?
I was dragged to the mud for 6 months and white-washed in the night.
I'm still the man in the "Berthon Case"
and I'm getting out of Paris...
I'm leaving Washington. Going to California.
There goes the next boss of the KGB
Don't be too sure. He's finished and he knows it.
He will get his score of medals and he'll quietly fade away... under wraps.
How come?
The serpent had his taste of Eden.
They won't trust him again.
They are right, aren't they, Davies?
It's not a bad question.