14 Marines Flown Out for Questioning

About half of the 28 Marine guards assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Moscow have been flown to Frankfurt, West Germany, and are undergoing initial questioning by investigators looking into a sex-and-spy scandal, the Pentagon said today.

Robert Sims, the Pentagon’s chief spokesman, also said it is “likely” that the remaining guards assigned to the embassy will be replaced before Secretary of State George P. Shultz visits Moscow for arms control talks next week.

Shultz is scheduled to leave for Moscow on Saturday. The Marine Corps and the State Department announced last month that all the guards assigned to the embassy would be transferred to the United States for questioning in connection with the growing investigation.

No Explanation Given

Sims declined to offer any explanation today for moving the first group of guards to West Germany for questioning rather than directly to the Marine base at Quantico, Va., beyond saying it was “routine” and “convenient” for investigators.

“The rotations out of Moscow have begun,” Sims said. “About half of the Marines who are in that 28-person contingent at the embassy have left there.

“They are currently in West Germany where they are available for questioning by investigators. They will eventually return for duty at Quantico. And they’ll be replaced on an orderly basis at the embassy in Moscow.”

In a related development, Sims confirmed that a military magistrate has ordered a third Marine arrested in the case released from confinement pending disposition of his case.

Still a Suspect

Sims said the magistrate found insufficient cause to order Staff Sgt. Robert Stanley Stufflebeam, 24, of Bloomington, Ill., held behind bars. Stufflebeam is still considered a suspect and may face charges in the case, Sims added.

Stufflebeam, arrested March 27 at Camp Pendleton, Calif., has been ordered to remain on the Quantico base, however, Sims said.

Last week, the Pentagon disclosed that Stufflebeam had been jailed on suspicion of improper associations with Soviet women while posted to the embassy in Moscow and failing to report those contacts. Stufflebeam has not been accused of espionage, as have two other Marine guards.