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104-10219-10154 2025 RELEASE UNDER THE PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY ASSASSINATION RECORDS ACT OF 1992

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HEMORANDUM FOR: Director ATTENTION National Security Agency : Mr. Benson Buffman SUBJECT 601-282338 : Willian Hamilton Martin and Bernon Ferguson Mitchell201-282337

1. Attached is a copy of a report recently received through Canadian liaison channels concerning a conversation between Canadian professor Dr. Hans Kunov and Martin in Moscow. The attachment outlines the conversation Kunoy had with Wartin and indicates that both Martin and Mitchell are attempting to leave the USSR。

2. Also attached is a report on Yuriy Igoryevich TorO 01-080254 Awmov's host at the USSR Academy of Sciences Computer Center.

3. The Canadians have advised us that the FBI has received the information contained in the attachents.

FOR THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS:

Attachments: As stated

CIOL-00184-75 DDO/CI/REA/L:W.Kerbe:daj (12/12/75) Distribution: Arig 61 Addee w/att 1- C/CI w/att 2- CI/RGA/E1 w/att 1- DIVD w/att B-201-0862574 B-201-0282 337 George T. Kalaris CD

1- DIVD/TCB COORDINATION: Paul L. Rinaldo CDIVD/ICS in draft 12 bee 1975 201-282338 2 CL 6198 SECRET

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SECRET :

Dr. Hans KUHOV professor, Univer Ly of Toronto, visited Moscow from September 1-14, 1975 to undertake research at the USSR: Academy of Sciences, under the USSR/Canada General Exchange Agreement. The research was carried out at the Academy of Sciences Computer Centre, 40 Vavcoha Street. KUMOV's host was Yuriy I. TORGOV, 2nd in charge of the Computer Centre and on whom a separate personality sketch is attached.

On September 3 while having a coffee break in the Computer Centre KUNOV was approached by a man who identified himself as William MARTIN, an American who defected to the USSR in 1960. MARTIN openly spoke about his past and stated that he now lives in Moscow and that he is a consultant to TURGOV's group at the Computer Centre. He said much of his work is done at home but he does drop into the Centre weekly.

It was at this time that MARTIN told KUNOV that he would ike to get out of the USSR even if he has to run certain risks. He also said that (Bernon) MITCHELL feels the same and has voiced his desire to the Soviet authorities.

MARTIN asked KUNOV if he might enquire with the Canadian authorities on his behalf to see what his status would be in this country or if there was any chance of his being allowed in here as a political refugee. KUHOV agreed to contact the Canadian Embassy in Moscow to see what the official view would be and notify MARTIN at a later date. MARTIN seemed most pleased at this and left KULIOV his home telephone number, cautioning him not to say anything over phone that would tip off the Soviet authorities as to his intentions. This first meeting lasted a little over one half hour and took place in the coffee lounge area of the Centre. There were other Sovicts present in the lounge, however, TORGOV was not among them. KUNOV does not believe the others were aware of their conversation.

On the 5 September 75 KUNOV called at the Canadian Embassy, Moscow and spoke to a doorman asking him who he might speak to regarding some Americans living in the USSR who would like to immigrate to Canada. The doorman referred KUMOV to the office of a Mrs. Louise O'CONTIOR. KUNOV then spoke to a U/ who stated that he was the under secretary to irs. O'CONNOR. KUTNOV enquired about the Americans living in the USSR and asked could they be allowed to immigrate to Canada. The Embassy official would not commit himself and stated that KUNOV should enquire officially with the nearest office of Manpower and Immigration when he returned to Canada. KUINOV did not give this official MARTEI or MITCHELL's names. KUHOV telephoned MARTIN after the Embassy visit and stated that the reply from the Embassy was negative. MARTIN seemed upset that KUNOV should phone him, then he later stated that it would probably be all right.

MARTIN met KUNOV on at least two occasions after the 5 September, all at the Centre, usually in the coffee lounge and in the general presence of others. They spoke English at all times. MARTIN thanked KUMCV for his trouble in enquiring at the Embassy and cautioned KUNOV not to get personally involved with him in this venture as it would be bad news. KUICOV promised MARTIN that he would check with Canadian lanpower and Immigration authorities on the matter when he returned to Canada : LUJALI ... 2

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SEORET The fol.ming observations were ma、 by KUIOV regarding MARTIN: (a) Physical Description 5'7' or 3" tall, Sair hair, crescut, balding at the temples, pot bellied. - may suffer from a nervous condition, and bears the mark of a man who has experienced rough times. - always dressed with a shirt, tie and jacket. - spoke perfect English with a slight Russian accent on certain words. (b) MARTIN provided KUNOV with the following home address and telephone number, cautioning him that his telephone was bugged. - telephone number - 433-03-81 117421 Obrucheva Street Building 4-1 Apt. 126 Moscow, USSR (c) MARTIN stated that his friend MITCHELL lives in Leningrad and is married to the Dean of the Music Conservatory in Leningrad. MITCHELL is very unhappy and he has openly asked Soviet authorities for permission to leave Russia and return to the USA. Apparently he has never been able to adjust to the Soviet way of life and is now very desperate. MITCHELL is willing to divorce his wife and take any risk to get out of the USSR. To date however he has been met with a wall of silence by the Soviets. (d) MARTIN is unmarried. He claims to have a confortable apartment and feels that he has adjusted to the Soviet life and is accepted in the USSR.. He does not want to return to the USA but would like to get out of the USSR. He said he would have quite a story to tell about his life in Russia as well as his past and that he could have no compunctions about telling all about the Russians. MARTIN at one point stated that he would not consider attempting to escape from the USSR. (e) MARTIN claims that he is constantly harrassed by Soviet officials. His apartment has been broken into on several occasions and he refused to use the Soviet mail system. He has also refused to show up for work in the past as a form of protest. MARTIN also indicated that he has had several contacts with Americans in Moscow. and that they have not shown any animosity towards him. He actually dated an American woman for some time but did not mention her name. • (f) MARTIN stated that in the past American journalists have tried to contact him many times, asking for inter- views but their requests have been refused by Russian authorities. He said he hoped some day that che ci these journalists woul to just knock on his door and talk to him. SECRET 13 :

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ULUULL SECRET TORGOV and KUINOV spoke in general terms about PARTIN after the first meeting. TORCOV does not claim to know PARTIN well. MARTIN has been at the centre for approximately 6 to 3 months assigned to TORCOV's group. Prior to that he worked as a consultant in another area of the Academy of Sciences. TORGOV commented that ARTIS does much of his work at home. He said he felt sorry for MARTIN because he was not accepted by the Russians in the Academy. He also stated that he felt ARTIN was a basically honest man.

KUNOV said his motives for trying to assist MARTIN and MITCHELL are based on huminatarian grounds, only as he feels they are suffering under the Soviet system. He does not intend. to take any further action to assist them in leaving the Soviet Union. KUTNOV hopes to return to the Soviet Union next year for a more extended period of study.

This document is the property of the Sovernment of Sinde. It is prasided on cortina t it is for est cle tartelligence coastcity of the receiving furraced at will be dalassitied withed the express persic & Us Cereriscat el Castr

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L SECRETY Igoryevich Gov TURGOV, LCB o June, 1932 Vitebsk, USSR, Head of Lab- oratory, Computer Centre, Academy of Sciences, Moscow, was a visiting professor in Toronto and Ottawa, Canada, for four months - November 1974 to February 1975.

A number of sources were impressed by TORGOV's frank- ness and his willingness to speak out, at social gatherings, on current problem areas in the Soviet systes. For example he discussed dissidents in Soviet society and commented on one occasion that present day Soviet society allowed for far greater freedom of expression than had been allowed previously. He said that things were being said in Moscow that one would never have heard in Stalin's era. Nevertheless, TORGOV argued that a return to "terror tactics" under Soviet rule was always poss- ible. He considered that such tactics were unlikely at this time because of the personal philosophy of Premier Leonid BRESHNEV.

TORGOV is reported to be the son of a scientist and party member and he himself is an admitted party member. He is married with three children. He is considered to be one of the top ex- perts on his field (computers) in the Soviet Union. He mentioned having travelled to other Western countries two or three times. His English is good. He was very friendly towards Canadians dur- ing his visit but it was observed that he did not associate with three other Soviet research students at the same institution. On ons occasion in Ottawa he was berated quite severely by a Soviet Embassy official for his failure to report periodically, as re- quired, to the Ezbassy. TORGOV later told a source that this Em- bassy official "could be a dangerous man to your country"..

This Ceremont is the property of the Goremeest of Each paid that it is for ass and Bt & act be dectassed without the expess packa of the Governsent of Canada. Le pésert foxerat est la propriété da grevenement d Canada, est communiqué ses réserve d'utilisatica par les seaus zenices de renseigerents is gouvercent destic tire ts costitics que sa este de sécurité ne sell pas εκδίδε τεις Γεntarisatica expresse is gosvernement coorden

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US/75/539 75W10-11S-38

SECRET Mr. George Kalaris C.I.A. Dear The RCMP Liaison Office 2450 MISEPchusetts tua. 4.4. Washington, D.C. 20008

2 December 1975

Re: William Hamilton MARTIN, and Bernon Ferguson MITCHELL

Purther to your letter of 6 October 1975, we have identified and spoken to the Canadian professor, Dr. Hans KUNOV, referred to in your letter as Harry KERNOV. The attachment outlines the contact between KUNOV and MARTIN and MITCHELL. KUNOV has proven co-operative as a source on previous occasions and we believe he will continue to assist us within limits.

Also attached is a report on Yuriy Igoryevich TORGOV, KUNOV's host at the USSR Academy of Sciences Computer Center. In addition to any comments you may wish to make concerning MARTIN's approaches to KUNOV, we would welcome an assessment of TORGOV, if available.

The F.B.I. has received the information con- tained in the attachments.

Yours truly,

E.R.J. Miller, Assistant Liaison Officer. att. (2) This Ceremont is that the Comm the receiving Severineal the

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: ULUIILI Re:H. MARTIN and 3.7. MITCIELL Dr. Hans KUNOV professor, University of Toronto, visited Moscow from September 1-14, 1975 to undertake research at the USSR Academy of Sciences, under the USSR/Canada General Exchange Agreement. The research was carried out at the Academy of Sciences Computer Centre, 40 Vavcoha Street. KUNCT's host was Yuriy I. TORGOV, 2nd in charge of the Computer Centre and on whom a separate personality sketch is attached.

On September 3 while having a coffee break in the Computer Centre KUNCV was approached by a man who identified himself as William MARTIN, an American who defected to the USSR in 1950. MARTIN openly spoke about his past and stated that he now lives in Moscow and that he is a consultant to TURGOV's group at the Computer Centre. He said much of his work is done at home but he does drop into the Centre weekly.

It was at this time that MARTIN told KUNOV that he would Ike to get out of the USSR even if he has to run certain risks. He also said that (Bernon) MITCHELL feels the same and has voiced his desire to the Soviet authorities.

MARTIN asked KUNOV if he might enquire with the Canadian authorities on his behalf to see what his status would be in this country or if there was any chance of his being allowed in here as a political refugee. KUNOV agreed to contact the Canadian Embassy in Moscow to see what the official view would be and notify MARTIN at a later date. MARTIN seemed most pleased at this and left KUNOV his home telephone number, cautioning him not to say anything over phone that would tio off the Soviet authorities as to his intentions. This first meeting lasted a little over one half hour and took place in the coffee lounge area of the Centre. There were other Soviets present in the lounge, however, TORGOV was not among them. KUNOV does not believe the others were aware of their conversation.

On the 5 September 75 KUNOV called at the Canadian Embassy, Moscow and spoke to a doorman asking him who he might speak to regarding some Americans living in the USSR who would like to immigrate to Canada. The doorman referred KUNOV to the office of a Mrs. Louise O'CONNOR. KUNOV then spoke to a U/M who stated that he was the under secretary to Mrs. O'CONNCR. KUNOV enquired about the Americans living in the USSR and asked could they be allowed to immigrate to Canada. The Embassy official would not commit himself and stated that, KUNOV should enquire officially with the nearest office of Manpower and Immigration when he returned to Canada. KUNOV did not give this official MARTIN or MITCHELL's names. KUMOV telephoned MARTIN after the Embassy visit and stated that the reply from the Embassy was negative. MARTIN seemed upset that KUNO should phone him, then he later stated that it would probably be all right.

MARTIN met KUNOV on at least two occasions after the 5 September, all at the Centre, usually in the coffee lounge and in the general presence of others. They spoke English at all times. MARTIN thanked KUNOV for his trouble in enquiring at the Embassy and cautioned KUNOV not to get personally involved with him in this venture as it would be bad news. KUNOV promised MARTIN that he would check with Canadian Manpower and Immigration authorities on the matter when he returned to Canada. SECRET

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L UMURSI -2 -

The following cbservations were made by KUNOV regarding MARTIN: (a) Physical Description 5'7' or 3" tall, fair hair, crewcut, balding at the temples, pot bellied. - may suffer from a nervous condition, and bears the mark of a man who has experienced rough times. - always dressed with a shirt, tie and jacket. - spoke perfect English with a slight Russian accent on certain words. (b) MARTIN provided KUNOV with the following home address and telephone number, cautioning him that his telephone was bugged. - telephone number - 433-03-31 117421 Obrucheva Street Building 4-1 Apt. 126 Moscow, USSR (c) MARTIN stated that his friend MITCHELL lives in Leningrad and is married to the Dean of the Music Conservatory in Leningrad. MITCHELL is very unhappy and he has openly asked Soviet authorities for permission to leave Russia and return to the USA. Apparently he has never been able to adjust to the Soviet way of life and is now very desperate. MITCHELL is willing to divorce his wife and take any risk to get out of the USSR. To date however he has been met with a wall of silence by the Soviets. (d) MARTIN is unmarried. He claims to have a comfortable apartment and feels that he has adjusted to the Soviet life and is accepted in the USSR. He does not want to return to the USA but would like to get out of the USSR. He said he would have quite a story to tell about his life in Pussia as well as his past and that he would have no compunctions about telling all about the Russians. MARTIN at one point stated that he would not consider : attempting to escape from the USSR. (e) MARTIN claims that he is constantly harrassed by Soviet officials. His apartment has been broken into on several occasions and he refused to use the Soviet mail system. He has also refused to show up for work in the past as a form of protest. MARTIN also indicated that he has had several contacts with Americans in Moscow and that they have not shown any animosity towards him. He actually dated an American woman for some time but did not mention her name. (f) MARTIN stated that, in the past American journalists have tried to contact him many times, asking for inter- views but their requests have been refused by Russian authorities. He said he hoped some day that one of

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L LOUCL TORGOV and CNOV spoke in general terms about MARTIN after the first meeting. TORGOV does not claim to know MARTIN well. MARTDI has been at the centre for approximately 6 to 3 months assigned to 70200%'s group. Prior to that he worked as a consultant in another area of the Academy of Sciences. TORGOV commented that ARTIS does much of his work at home. He said he felt sorry for MARTIN because he was not accepted by the Russians in the Academy. He also stated that he felt MARTIN was a basically honest man.

KUNOV said his motives for trying to assist FARTIN and MITCHELL are based on huminatarian grounds, only, as he feels they are suffering under the Soviet system. He does not intend to take any further action to assist them in leaving the Soviet Union. KUNOV hopes to return to the Soviet Union next year for a more extended period of study.

This exscert att property of the Corrmeret ef Carte en cordisethat it is for ass sulk) Dalateligence coemucity of De receidag forested dxlassified at a press prisi of the Government of Canada. to pétert Escort est a press correrecant is Costa, asi catashal sous steens d'utilisative partes touts sentes da renseignements i parerasmiat Ustintin ta cocice se sa cette sécurité soit pas Belfie sens Taarisstica estesteramanal sexzóta (d) e apartmen ret

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: Re: Yuriy Igoryevich TORGOV TORGOV, DOB 6 June, 1932 Vitebsk, USSR, Head of Lab- oratory, Computer Centre, Academy of Sciences, Moscow, was a visiting professor in Toronto and Ottawa, Canada, for four months - November 1974 to February 1975.

He A number of sources were impressed by TORGOV's frank- ness and his willingness to speak out, at social gatherings, on current problem areas in the Soviet system. For example he discussed dissidents in Soviet society and commented on one óccasion that present day Soviet society allowed for far greater freedom of expression than had been allowed previously. said that things were being said in Moscow that one would never have heard in Stalin's era. Nevertheless, TORGOV argued that &return to "terror tactics" under Soviet rule was always poss- fble. He considered that such tactics were unlikely at this time because of the personal philosophy of Premier Leonid BRESHNEV.

TORGOV is reported to be the son of a scientist and party member and he himself is an admitted party member. He is married with three children. He is considered to be one of the top ex- perts on his field (computers) in the Soviet Union. He mentioned having travelled to other Western countries two or three times. His English is good. He was very friendly towards Canadians dur- ing his visit but it was observed that he did not associate with three other Soviet research students at the same institution. On one occasion in Ottawa he was berated quite severely by a Soviet Embassy official for his failure to report periodically, as re- quired, to the Embassy. TORGOV later told a source that this Em- bessy official "could be a dangerous man to your country".

This document is the property of the Government of Cash, is provided a conditisa that it is for usa scl). the latelligencs cosaseity of the actising Covera sed tat i act be declassified withect the pass paradise of the Government of Castda. La pésert dorment est is propriété de premesenta Confa. Best commutissé seus réserve d'atisation par les stats anikes te renseignements de gosterazarst destinati ta coccitios que sa cote de sécurité na soit pas modifiés sans l'autortation expresse da government caurées.

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L CT US/75/539 Dear Harry, We have learned that on the evening of 8 September 1975, James WILKINSON of the U.S. Embassy in Moscow had a conversation of interest with a Canadian Embassy Officer. Wilkinson stated that while attending a social function at the Australian Embassy, he engaged Canadian Consular Officer Geoffrey FARRON in conver- sation. Farrow advised that he had been recently approached by Dr. Harry KERNOV, an Associate Professor of English at the University of Toronto in Canada, regarding American defectors Bernon F. MITCHELL and Willian H. MARTIN. Kernov implied that he had had recent personal contact with one or both of the defectors and recommended that the Canadian government give Martin and Mitchell permission to emigrate to Canada. furnished no further details regarding Kernov's contact.

Farrow During the same conversation Farrow asked Wilkinson if he could supply any basic background material on Mitchell and Martin. Wilkinson replied that he would pass Farrow's request on to the Consular Section of the Embassy. Subsequently, Farrow was given an unclassified article concerning the defectors which appeared in the June 1961 issue of True magazine.

We would, of course, be interested in any indications that Martin and Mitchell are attempting to leave the USSR and would be grateful for any information you may be able to provido us in regard to the above.

I am using the CAZAB channel in this instance as this information has been passed to us informally. Mr. Harry Brandes

Yours, George T. Kolaris George T. Kalaris

DDO/CI/R&A/T:LHWigren(20ct75) Distribution: Orig. & 1- Addee 1 165-2720 1- Reading File

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