A Call For A Rigorous Damage Assessment In The Aftermath Of The Felix Bloch Affair

(Washington, D.C.): The Center for Security Policy today renewed its call for a thorough assessment of the damage that could have been done to U.S. interests should the allegations prove true that Felix S. Bloch, a senior foreign service officer, was a Soviet spy.

Frank J. Gaffney, Jr., the Center’s director said, "There has been little evidence of any damage assessment since the investigation of Mr. Bloch was leaked to the press several weeks ago. It appears that energies that should be going toward exploring the implications of having a possible Soviet agent in the sensitive posts Bloch held are being directed instead toward damage control. Some apparently wish to minimize the significance of this individual’s role in the government, his access to classified information and his imprint upon the portfolio of economic, financial and technology relations with the East bloc."

Gaffney added, "Such characterizations are utterly misleading. They suggest an intent on the part of some U.S. officials to sweep this affair under the proverbial rug. It is incumbent on all concerned about American security interests in general — and about developments in Mr. Bloch’s portfolio in particular — that the facts be fully explored and their implications vigorously considered."

Toward that end, the Center for Security Policy has released an updated version of a paper produced earlier this month entitled The Felix Bloch Affair: Assessing the Damage to U.S. Security. It compiles a wealth of information about Mr. Bloch’s career and illuminates significant policy developments within his field of expertise. This data offers some indication of the extent to which Mr. Bloch had access to information of extreme interest to the Soviet Union in its area of greatest vulnerability — economic, financial and technology relations.

"The material compiled by the Center suggests that the security of sensitive American policy deliberations and even the character of decisions affecting East-West economic and related ties could have been seriously compromised by an individual in the positions held by Mr. Bloch," Gaffney said. "Until this possibility is thoroughly reviewed and the damage carefully assessed, the Center believes it would only be prudent for the Bush Administration to refrain from the further expansion of such ties expected to be discussed at the upcoming ministerial meeting between Secretary of State Baker and Soviet Foreign Minister Shevardnadze in Wyoming."