Deadly Crusade

The exposure of CIA agents

Life in Iran has become increasingly perilous for Americans; some have been attacked and two killed. Not only have Washington's close ties to the Shah been violently denounced by followers of Ayatullah Ruhollah Khomeini, but Radio Moscow's Farsi-language broadcasts have fueled anti-Americanism by accusing the U.S. of instigating "the dangers facing the Iranian people." Now for nine Americans in Iran, the danger is more deadly; they have been named as CIA agents in Counter-Spy magazine.

Started in Washington by an anti-Viet Nam War group, Counter-Spy has made a crusade of exposing CIA agents abroad. Among them was Richard Welch, the agency's Athens station chief, who after being identified was shot to death in 1975 outside his home.

It is not just that the magazine might give valuable information to opponents of the U.S. Most CIA operatives have probably already been pinpointed by the Soviet KGB and other spy agencies. But publicity makes it difficult for these or other CIA agents to maintain valuable contacts with businessmen, scholars, journalists and other sources. As serious is the possibility of the magazine's incorrectly identifying an agent. Said one senior CIA official: "Whether or not the people they mention are with the agency, they've done these people great harm." Added CIA Director Stansfield Turner: "I also wonder where they get their money. It would help if those who worry about CIA activities would direct the same attention to those who work so hard to tear us apart."

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