ABSTRACT
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) is regarded by most observers as the principal Soviet political institution which handles the day-to-day conduct and operations of US-Soviet relations. Shevchenko, for example, sees the MFA as preeminent among Soviet foreign policy institutions, particularly concerning matters involving US-Soviet relations. The Committee for State Security (KGB), as well as to a lesser degree Soviet military intelligence, the Soviet military intelligence (GRU), maintains an active presence in the Soviet Embassy in Washington. Both organizations have made a thorough effort to solicit and gather information about Congress’ actions affecting US foreign policy. Estimates of KGB/GRU presence in the Embassy are usually put at somewhere between 40–45 percent, with this presence serving the usual twin role of intelligence gathering and monitoring of embassy staff loyalty and performance. Party and government institutions also gather information on the Congress through direct negotiating for a where Members of Congress and their staffs actively participate.
