CIA Agent Held as Spy

* In response to “CIA Official Held as Russian Spy,� Feb. 23, and “For Ames, a Wife and a Crossroads in Mexico City,� Feb. 26:

Accused CIA official Aldrich Hazen Ames’ job was trying to bribe Soviet diplomats into spying for the United States. He knew exactly what to look for in those personnel--those who had had a “major career setback, a sense of having been betrayed by their own government� and those with “dreams of glory, trying to restore a sense of efficacy and personal importance,� the same words used to describe Ames by a CIA psychologist.

So it is perfectly fine and legal for the United States to “turn� Soviets into spies for it, but if the Soviets do the same to our people in government, all hell breaks loose.

God, I love politics! It gives me so many good belly laughs.

DAVID CHARLES KEETON

West Hollywood

* The one aspect of the Ames spy case I find both humorous and sad is that he was purchased so cheaply. For a mere $150,000 yearly the Russians obtained information worth a thousand times that amount. Were I offered what amounts to petty cash to sell out my nation and countrymen, I’d fall down laughing. What galls me is our “intelligent� CIA putting someone with trailer-trash tastes in such an important position, then failing to closely watch his actions for a full decade. Who runs things at the CIA? Maybe the Three Stooges. CIA should translate as the Central Imbecilic Agency! The Russians must be laughing their heads off at us.

FRED HERMON

Santa Ana

* The CIA espionage case should be a vivid wake-up call for America and especially for military budget-slashing liberal Democrats and President Clinton.

Although Russian missiles may not be pointed at us, for the moment, Russia still poses a threat to our national security. Communism is alive and there still are Russians in high offices who cling to the idea of world domination and the destruction of the United States and freedom.

Let’s not be lulled into a sense of false security. Ronald Reagan toppled the Soviet Union with a strong military.

Clinton, by weakening our military and defenses, is repeating the same mistake of Jimmy Carter. He’s inviting every crack-pot dictator and terrorist to attack Americans and American interests around the world. While it is wise to extend an olive branch to communists, it is also wise to keep the rest of the tree around to beat them over the head with--if need be!

PHIL FERRARO

Downey

* Clinton’s outraged indignation over the current spying revelations reminds one of Claude Raines’ (the police magistrate in the movie “Casablanca�) similar protestations (as he refers to gambling in Rick’s place and at the same time pockets his winnings) suggesting: “Spies? I’m shocked to find out that there is spying going on! Round up the usual suspects!�

MARTIN L. MORRIS

Northridge

* Vladimir Pozner’s article (“U.S. Spies! Russian Spies! Who Would Have Believed It!� Commentary, Feb. 24) reveals ignorance of the U.S. Constitution in which “traitor� and “treason� are defined. His reference to Jonathan Pollard is wrong and careless. The official record indicates that he was neither accused nor indicted for treason. Personal bias aside, if Pozner seeks credibility, he owes a retraction to his readers.

MORRIS POLLARD

Notre Dame, Ind.

* Pozner incorrectly draws a parallel between the Ames case and that of Jonathan Pollard, who as he says is still serving a life sentence.

Pollard was faced with a dilemma when information on chemical, biological and nuclear warfare activities in Iraq and Syria--which should have been shared with Israel under treaty, as an ally--was not being shared with Israel. He didn’t harm the U.S. In fact he cooperated with the authorities, including accepting a plea bargain and relieving them of the need for an open trial with its implications.

The real treason was by Caspar Weinberger, the then secretary of defense, who was pardoned by President Bush Dec. 24, 1992, and other public servants who violated this country’s obligation to its ally, Israel. The recent spate of wild allegations against Pollard from former Defense Secretary Les Aspin and others--and now the Ames case--shows where the mess really is!

LIONEL OKUN

Seal Beach

* So the Russians were getting highly classified information from a CIA spy since 1985. It’s nice to know when Gorbachev met with Reagan and Bush at least one of the participants was in the loop.

PHIL WILLON

Palos Verdes Peninsula