Intelligence

DATE=07/03/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=HANSSEN PLEA (L)

NUMBER=2-277867

BYLINE=JIM MALONE

DATELINE=WASHINGTON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Accused U-S spy and former F-B-I agent Robert Hanssen has agreed to plead guilty to espionage charges in order to avoid the death penalty. Details from V-O-A National Correspondent Jim Malone.

TEXT: A lawyer for Robert Hanssen expects his client to plead guilty to spying for Russia during a court hearing scheduled for Friday.

Mr. Hanssen was a 25-year veteran of the Federal Bureau of Investigation before he was arrested on espionage charges in February. Prosecutors allege Mr. Hanssen sold secrets to Russia over a 15-year period in exchange for one-point-four-million dollars in cash and diamonds.

Under an agreement between prosecutors and defense attorneys, Mr. Hanssen will be spared the death penalty in exchange for a plea of guilty and a pledge to cooperate with U-S intelligence officials who want to know the extent of his alleged espionage activities.

Former F-B-I agent David Major was at one time Robert Hassen's supervisor. He recently told V-O-A's Talk to America program that Mr. Hanssen was perfectly placed to do maximum damage to U-S national security:

/// MAJOR ACT ///

He knew everything about our techniques and our methodologies of uncovering agents. From that standpoint, he was uniquely placed. In addition to that, he did not have a personality that would send off any flags (warnings). In many, many cases, people are unusual. There might be something to indicate they are not normal. Either they have a drinking problem or they are philandering (cheating on their spouse) or they are spending money. Bob had none of those indicators.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Hanssen initially pled not guilty to 21 counts of espionage in May and was scheduled to go on trial in October.

By avoiding a trial, the government now avoids having to reveal sensitive details about Mr. Hanssen's alleged spying activities including information about spy satellites and how the United States would retaliate in the face of a Russian nuclear attack. (Signed)

NEB/JBM/JWH