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Gala Opening of The International Spy Museum
Washington, DC Top spies, spycatchers and celebrities,
and a few fakes, joined together in the black tie and red carpet
opening of the International Spy Museum, in Washington, D.C. on
Thursday July 18th, 2002. In true British tradition we arrived in the style
of an International Man of Mystery. Well OK, Howard Tucker provided
the Bentley, the penguin suit is mine.
The Gala, besides celebrating one of the
most exciting openings in Washington, brought together the best, famous, and
infamous from the world of intelligence, espionage, Hollywood and politics.
In a city, dubbed "Spy City" by the museum, it is hard to
distinguish the difference. Alan Simpson greets KGB Major
General Kalugin, with Cambridge University Prof. Christopher Andrews
looking on:
The museum is the dream of Milton
Maltz, who after selling his media empire, dedicated himself to building
the museum. It was seven years in planning, and was finally created as a
for-profit museum, and attraction. The Gala was attended by many ex-CIA, and
current CIA and Intelligence leaders. Stansfield Turner, CIA
Director under President Carter, recounted being filmed at the same time as Alan
Simpson for inclusion in the exhibits.
Because of the number of spies, CIA, NRO,
and NSA leaders present, media cameras were banned, and only trusted VIP
guests allowed to shoot "discrete" photos. Many requested not to be
identified, and one wore his own disguise.
Alan Simpson, Prof. Christopher Andrews, and a
"Spy" Joining the "Spies Magazine"
group was Mrs. Francis Gary Powers, wife of the famous U2 pilot, his
son Gary Powers, jr., Werner Juretzko, the spy arrested and
imprisoned by the Stasi, and his daughter Christine.
Director of the new museum is 35 year CIA
veteran Peter Earnest. Peter was one of the behind the scenes
scientists who helped provide the Agency with the tools of their trade. Spies
Magazine and the entire Spies team look forward to working with
Peter to bring interactive experiences to the new attraction and museum.
AFIO President Eugene Poteet
(Association of Former Intelligence Officers) one of the most highly
respected intelligence experts in America shares a joke with Alan Simpson
(Are you sure you two want to be photographed together?)
The celebrations were not only attended by
the best, and famous from the real world of espionage. Here Werner
Juretzko, Alan Simpson and "Agent 99" Barbara Feldon
discuss Get Smart! Smile Werner!!
The Gala brought together many of us who,
because of busy schedules rarely get the chance to talk about the world of
espionage. Here Alan Simpson is caught discussing Herbert
Yardley with David Kahn, the famous "Codebreakers"
author.
Joining us was Madeline Albright,
the Secretary of State under President Clinton. The etiquette
of the occasion prevented me from discussing the issues with Clinton
providing China with advance technology.
In preparation for the Spies Cafe meeting
at the National Press Club on Saturday 20th, July which covered the Stasi,
and espionage in Berlin, Werner Jeretzko discussed the meeting with John
Koehler, the expert author of the best-selling book on the Stasi.
We would like to express our
congratulations to the International Spy Museum, and Milton for inviting us
to be part of the museum exhibits, and join in the outstanding celebrations
at the opening. (c) All photographs are copyright and may not be
reproduced without written permission |
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