Delving Deeper Into The KGB Files

Yesterday, I noted the discovery of a letter in KGB archives that suggested that Ted Kennedy was trying to influence the outcome of the 1984 elections by dealing secretly with the Soviet leadership.

Bryan at Hot Air notes what this letter represents:

Ted Kennedy didn’t write the memo. The memo’s author is V. Chebrikov, head of the Committee on State Security of the USSR–the KGB. It seems to have been written as an after-action in response to a meeting with former Sen. John V. Tunney. Tunney had been sent to the USSR to propose the strategy on Kennedy’s behalf to Andropov. The timing of the meeting isn’t immediately clear from the memo, but if the meeting took place it was most likely in late April or early May 1983.

I think the next step here is to nail down the authenticity of the memo. If it’s real, then the story is obviously very significant. If it’s not real, there’s no story here at all.

Now, if this letter can be verified by other sources, what does this exactly mean for Kennedy? Big trouble. Huge. It could trigger a major crisis for the Democrats, though one has to wonder whether they will be held accountable. Trying to rely upon a foreign government to influence the outcome of a US national election is criminal.

We need verification from other sources, and time has already taken a toll on those who might shed more light on the matter. Andropov is dead as is Chebrikov. However, Chebrikov was no stranger to political intrigue and pentrating US national security:

During his time as head of the KGB, from 1982 to 1988, the organisation scored a spectacular coup when, with the help of information supplied by its American spy Aldrich Ames, it was able to destroy the CIA's network of agents. However, Chebrikov was also responsible in 1983 for ordering the shooting down of Korean Airlines Flight 007, and the deaths of all 269 people on board, after the passenger jet had mistakenly strayed into Soviet airspace.

Tunney was a US Senator from 1970 to 1976 (lost reelection). He apparently returned to his law practice after losing the election. This letter suggests that he didn't leave politics entirely.

Some are calling this action treasonous. Treason is a very clearly defined crime as per the US Constitution.

Article II, Section. 3.
Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court. The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves before declaring Kennedy or Tunney or anyone else here to have committed this criminal act before all the facts are known and that letter is confirmed, authenticated, and verified.

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