Couldn’t Resist Female ‘Reds Under Every Bed,’ Spokesman Quips : Moscow Derides U.S. for Recalling Embassy Marines

Official Moscow Tuesday mocked the U.S. withdrawal of 28 Marines from the American Embassy after a spy scandal, suggesting that they could not resist attractive female “Reds under every bed.”

Jocular remarks by Gennady I. Gerasimov, senior Foreign Ministry spokesman, were regarded by some of his listeners as a virtual confession that the KGB employed seduction to obtain the most closely guarded U.S. secrets.

Two Marines who served in Moscow--Sgt. Clayton J. Lonetree and Cpl. Arnold Bracy--have been confined at Marine headquarters in Quantico, Va., on suspicion of working with the Soviet secret police. And on Tuesday, the Pentagon announced that a third Marine security guard, Staff Sgt. Robert Stanley Stufflebeam, has been arrested as part of the espionage scandal.

Admits to Affair

According to American investigators, Lonetree, a guard at the embassy from September, 1984, until March, 1986, has admitted having an affair with Violetta Seina, a Soviet employee of the U.S. Embassy during that same period. Bracy reportedly told the investigators that he and Lonetree allowed KGB agents into the most secret areas of the building at night.

The State Department announced Monday that the 28 Marines assigned to guard the U.S. Embassy would be replaced by the end of the month.

American sources, however, said that the Marines would be gone within 10 days, before the arrival of Secretary of State George P. Shultz for high-level Kremlin talks on April 13. Newly arrived Marines, drawn from the most trusted security guards at other embassies and from Marine headquarters, will be on the job by then.

Pokes Fun at Action

Gerasimov, asked about Soviet reaction to the replacement of the Marines at a press briefing, replied:

“We are very surprised at this statement about withdrawal, showing the defeat of the famous U.S. Marines, who were victorious in Grenada.

“Recently we have witnessed a loss of capability to resist the enemy, and sometimes one can fear that Reds are under every bed.

“Of course, we regret that the stay of 28 Marines is going to be discontinued so abruptly, and we are sorry for them,” he added with a smile.

Later, asked whether he was acknowledging that the Soviets had assigned agents to seduce the Marines and gain access to embassy secrets, Gerasimov backed off slightly.

“I was referring to references (in Western publications) that the enemy was using an extraordinary disguise,” he said.

According to press reports Tuesday, the 26-year-old Seina worked as a receptionist at the U.S. ambassador’s residence and later as a secretary in one of the embassy’s offices.

Left Indelible Mark

Quoting Americans and Russians who knew her, the New York Times said that the young woman left an indelible impression at the embassy. “Violetta was a presence,” one American said.

In separate interviews, five Russians--who were among those dismissed as part of a general cutback of Soviet employees by the United States--described her as a self-contained person who was both admired and envied because of her attractive appearance and fashionable clothing.

Officially, the U.S. Embassy would not comment on Seina. After leaving the U.S. Embassy as part of the cutback, she reportedly worked for a time at the Irish Embassy. Soviet authorities would not say if she is currently employed or where she lives.

Marines normally spend 18 months in Moscow before reassignment. Regardless of the length of their assignment here, however, the 28 now assigned to security duty will be sent to Quantico, presumably for questioning in the espionage investigation.

While an embassy spokesman maintained an embarrassed silence, another Western diplomat said that “everything has been blown” because of the Marine security breach.

Sees Humor in Accounts

Gerasimov, known for his quick and sometimes irrepressible wit, saw only humor in the accounts of Soviet Mata Haris overcoming Marine resistance.

“We can only smile at what is said . . . . It’s really funny,” he said. “Twenty-eight staunch Marines brought back from the U.S. Embassy because they were allegedly unable to withstand the charms of blonde spies.”

As he continued to be questioned on the significance of his statements, however, Gerasimov took another tack. He said that the entire episode allegedly involving the Marines will only “add fuel to the fire” regarding charges of Soviet espionage.

“If a Marine has contacts with Soviet citizens, what information does a Marine have?” Gerasimov asked. “His main purpose is to guard the embassy.” He said he anticipated “another wave of spying stories” to follow the disclosures concerning Marines.

Gerasimov did not mention, however, that reports in U.S. newspapers have said that the Marines under suspicion allowed Soviet agents to enter secret areas of the embassy, including code rooms, while U.S. diplomats were absent.

Found ‘Bugs’ in Walls

In the past, American officials have said that they discovered hidden microphones in typewriters used in the embassy and other “bugs” concealed in the walls.

Since the latest revelations about Marine involvement have been published, a source close to the embassy said, American diplomats have been keeping their own round-the-clock watch on the most sensitive offices rather than relying on the Marine guards.

One U.S. source called it regrettable that the entire contingent of Marines was pulled back, saying: “It’s really kind of a pity, since they are extremely nice people.”