14-00000
104-10219-10154
2025 RELEASE UNDER THE PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY ASSASSINATION RECORDS ACT OF 1992
SECRET
12
DEC
1975.
08
MEMORANDUM FOR: Director
National Security Agency
902 1
55/05/1
ATTENTION
SUBJECT
: Mr. Benson Buffnan
: Okillian Hamilton Martin and Lornon Ferguson
Kitchell201-282337
501-282338
1. Attached is a copy of a report recently received through
Canadian likison channels concerning a conversation between
Canadian professor Dr. Hans Kunov and Martin in Moscow. The
attachent outlines the conversation Kunoy had with Nartin and
indicates that both. Martin and Mitchell are attempting to leave
the USSR.
2. Also attached is a report on Yuriy Igoryevich Torger, 201-0862574
Kunov'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 attachments.
FOR THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS:
Gadina T. Kolaris
George T. Kalaris
Attachments:
As stated
CIOL-00184-75
DDO/CI/R&A/E:W.Kerbe: daj (12/12/75)
Distribution:
Arig & 1
-
Addee w/att.
-
1 C/CI w/att
CI/R&A/E1 w/att
C/DIVD w/att
B-201-0862574
B-201-0282 337
SECRET
GECACT
COORDINATION:
Paul L. Rinaldo
C/DVD/ICS in draft
12 Dec 1975
201-282338
1
-
DIVD/TCB
2venir d
6198
14-00000
SECRET
-
Dr. Ha KUNOV professor, Univery 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 Waveoha Street. KUNOW's host was Yuriy I.
TOREOV, 2nd in charge of the Computer Centre and on whom a separate
personality sketch is attached.
MARTIN
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 1950.
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
bke 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 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 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'CONNOR. 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. KUNOV 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 KUNCV 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. KUNOW promised MARTIN that he would
check with Canadian Manpower and Immigration authorities on the
matter when he returned to Canada.
STEDET
14-00000.
SECRET
The follwing observations were ma by KUNOV
regarding MARTIN:
(a) Physical Description
.
5'7' or 3" tall, fair 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
To date however 
he has
risk to get out of the USSR.
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 Russia as well as his past 
and that he sould 
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
MARTIN also 
indicated that
past as a form of protest.
he has had several contacts with Americans in Moscow.
and that they have not shown any animosity towards hin.
He actually dated an American woman for 
some time but
did not mention her name.
.
(f) MARTIN stated that in the past American journalists
I 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
these journalists woul; able to just 
knock on 
his
door and talk to him.
14-00000
L
ULUGEL
SECRET
TORGCV and KUNOV spoke in general terms about MARTIN
after the first meeting. TURGOV does not claim 
to know KARTIN
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
TORGOV
consultant in another area of the 
Academy of Sciences.
commented that MARTIN 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.
a basically honest man.
He also stated that he felt MARTIN was
KUNOV said his motives for trying to assist MARTIN
and MITCHELL are based on huminatarian grounds, only, as 
he 
feels
He does not intend.
they are suffering under the Soviet system.
to take any further action to assist them in leaving the Soviet
Union. KUMOV hopes to return to the 
Soviet Union next year for
a more extended period of study.
the Sovernment of
This document is the property of
Birth. It is presided on condition that it is for ese ski)
telligence consucity of the receiving Everced
b:ified wither the express permission
of the rest of Czasda
le pésentant est is prepité de govern
est
di
réserve d'utilisatie par les
senes de renseignements de gam
a i la toties que desco si pas
Bele was Futurisation expresse de govermentet amóta,
SECRET
14-00000
HSE Kerpy Igoryevich TGOV
TORGÓV, LCB 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.
-
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 BRESHHEV.
"
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
on 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-
bassy official "could be a dangerous man to your country"..
and
This decement is the preserty of the Coremmest of
pant
the declassified
of the Goverment of Canada.
that it is for a ski
the receiving Cerem
without the express peidinia
· La pésert domment est la propriété da greversement da
Canada, est communiqué pas réserve d'affiatica par les
stances de regs gouvernemzet desticct:ire
} } is condition que sa este de sécurité me sell pas
modifiées l'autorisation expresse de governement coordien.
L
SECRET
201-282 338
14-00000
US/75/539
75810-11S-38
SECRET
Mr. George Eslaris
C.I.A.
Dear
The RCMP Liaison Office
2450 Mechusetts Ave. N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
2 December 1975
RA:
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 ag a source
on previous occasions and we believe he will continue to
assist us within limits.
Also attached is a report on Yuriy Igoryevich
FORGOV, 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.
att. (2)
T
Yours truly,
E.R.J. Miller,
Assistant Liaison Officer.
This dement of the Commut
il, of the receiving · Sovertarak
of the in
14-00000
43
ULUMLI
Re:
.H. MARTIN and 3.7. MITCHELL
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. KUNGV's host was Yuriy I.
TORGOV, 2nd in charge of the Computer Centre and on whom a separate
personality sketch is attached.
MARTIN
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.
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
Eke 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 KUNCV 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 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 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'CONNOR. 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 zive this
official MARTIN or MITCHELL's names. KUNOV 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.
SEPRET
14-00000
L
CLURE!
The following observations were made by KUMOV
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
To date however he has
risk to get out of the USSR.
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
He 
does not want to
life and is accepted in the USSR.
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 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
MARTIN also indicated 
that
past as a form of protest.
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
able to
these journalists woul
door and talk to him. I just knock on his
14-00000
L
DEGUEL
TORGOV and UNOV spoke in general terms about MARTIN
after the first meeting. TORGOV does not claim 
to know MARTIN
well. MARTIN has been at the centre for 
approximately 6 to 3
Prior 
to that he worked 
as a
months assigned to FCRGOVis group.
consultant in another area of the Academy of Sciences. TORGOV
He said
commented that MARTIN does much of his work 
at home.
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 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. KUHOV hopes to return to the Soviet Union 
next year for
a more extended period of study.
This property of the Commnect ef
Capthat it is for use stick)
the lateligence concity of
dth it: dassified
of the Government of Canada,
tests
receidag oversee
the express- perzisslan
to pétert test bi pred gouvernement.
tilisation par les
services da renseignements parament distintire
of its coé
se sait pas
Bestaristica expressément sta
(d) 1721
៩.
(e)
SECRET
14-00000
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.
-
A number of sources were impressed by TORGOV's frank-
ness and his willingness to speak out, at social gatherings,
For example
on current problem areas in the Soviet system.
He
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.
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 pos8-
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
He is 
married
member and he himself is an admitted party member.
with three children. He is considered to be one of the top ex-
He mentioned
perts on his field (computers) in the Soviet Union.
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
On
three other Soviet research students at the same institution
.
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-
bassy official "could be a dangerous man to your country".
11 3
de
This document is the property of The Government of
Death is provided
condition that it is for use: sokkēj.
the intelligence commeity
sed that beds
of the Coverment of Casda.
5.
of the rectising Coverasra
without the pers paralitice
La sert document est is propriété ret
Best communiqué sous réserve datisation par les
cices de renseignements de gouvernement destinatière
of 3 la ecuation que sa cote de sécurité na soit pas
modifiée eres l'exterisation expresse de gervermement conseca,
sta
SECRET

14-00000
6993
.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 William 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. Farrow
furnished no further details regarding Kernov's contact.
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 provide us
in regard to the above.
I am using the CAZAB channel in this instance as this
information has been passed to us informally.
Yours,
George T. Kalaris
George T. Kalaris
Mr. Harry Brandes
DDO/CI/R&A/T: LHWigren (20ct75)
Distribution:
Orig. & 1 Addee
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