House Votes to Hold Soviet Embassy Hostage Till U.S. Building Is Secure

The House voted Tuesday to bar the Soviet Union from using its new embassy in Washington until the United States is assured of adequate security at its new embassy in Moscow.

The amendment, added to the State Department authorization bill on a 414-0 vote, calls also for stepped-up efforts to improve security at diplomatic posts abroad.

U.S. officials have determined that the nearly completed embassy in Moscow is riddled with Soviet spy devices. Administration officials and members of Congress are debating whether to tear down the structure and build a new embassy or spend millions of dollars in an effort to eliminate the Soviet bugging devices.

Rep. Daniel A. Mica (D-Fla.) said the amendment barring the Soviets from moving into their embassy would in effect hold that site hostage until the United States has a secure building in Moscow.

Final action on the authorization bill is expected later in the week.