The Marine Spy Scandal: It's a Biggie

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In retrospect, the security breach seems to explain some of the Soviets' recent diplomatic behavior. During last fall's summit in Iceland, U.S. negotiators were disturbed by the Soviets' uncannily well-prepared responses to U.S. points. "We thought at the time that they were remarkably sophisticated in anticipating our positions," says a State Department official. Now, says another, the U.S. realizes that throughout Reykjavik, "we played poker with the Soviets, and they were looking at a mirror over our shoulders." Government sources are equally convinced that the Soviets had inside information last August during the crisis surrounding the Kremlin's arrest of U.S. Journalist Nicholas Daniloff.

The arrests come at a particularly awkward time for the State Department. The situation casts a cloud over the upcoming arrival in Moscow of new U.S. Ambassador Jack Matlock. Even worse is the effect on the Shultz trip. A new bubble is being built in the embassy in anticipation of the Secretary's arrival April 13, but communications technicians are not sure that security can be guaranteed.

Low-level security breaches are notoriously difficult to detect and control, as the Navy learned from the Walker spy case, when a yeoman aboard the aircraft carrier Nimitz also stole classified materials from burn bags. Indeed, it is by no means certain that the Moscow operation ended with the departure of Lonetree and Bracy. Investigators wonder how the two Marines could have carried on love affairs unnoticed within the embassy's close confines. They suspect that the relationships were known but tolerated by others who may have had similar experiences. In fact, Bracy was demoted from sergeant to corporal for violating rules that specifically forbid fraternization with Soviet citizens.

The technological damage that Lonetree and Bracy reportedly wrought will be extremely difficult to remedy. Repairing the damage that has been done to the pride and spirit of the Marine Corps could prove no less difficult.