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A tale of two spies Anna Chapman and Mata Hari
Every fan of the old James Bond novels written by Ian Fleming,
knows that the best spies are the ones who love you. And every
one knows that beautiful women make the best spy. We were reminded
of that old rule here lately when a beautiful Russian Spy was
recently arrested in New York State by the FBI on suspicion of
spying for Russia.
The young Anna Chapman was born near Stalingrad and given the
name Anna Kushchenko. Her mother was a math teacher and her father
was a diplomat. At age 19 she did what many well to do Russian
youth do. She went on summer holiday to western Europe, were she
met her future husband 21 year old Alex Chapman. The marriage
only lasted for a few years and her father never did like the
polite young Englishman.
After divorcing her English husband Anna left England but kept
her ex husbands last name and her British passport. Then some
how she landed in New York with a boat load of money and a passion
to party.
Apparently her job was to meet important and influential people
who had access to other more powerful people in the federal government
and then was to report back to Russia on their activities.
At first glance it seams that this was a long shot and that something
so petty as a socialite could possibly get close enough to people
high up in power. But this bond girl was really good at it. And
what was more unbelievable is that she almost got what she was
looking for. But she is not the first nor she will probably not
be the last spy who would be willing to love you for her country.
It has happened before and with much more success.
In 1903 a young and beautiful girl from the Netherlands moves
to Paris were she lands a job performing as a exotic dancer. Her
name was Margaretha Geertruida MacLeod but was best known by her
stage name Mata Hari.
 The
spy Mata Hari
Mata Hari was promiscuous, flirtatious, and openly flaunting her
body, she captivated her audience and was a over night success.
She quickly accumulated rich and powerful men who she backend
to as her lovers.
She posed as a Java princess of priestly Hindu birth, pretending
to have immersed her self in the art of sacred Indian dance since
childhood. Although the claims made by her about her origins were
fictitious, the act was spectacularly successful. She often finished
her act wearing nothing but a braw and jewelry.
During World War I the Netherlands remained neutral, and as a
Dutch subject, Mata Hari was able to travel across enemy lines
freely. One time when she was traveling from Franc to the Netherlands
via Spain she was stopped and interviewed by British intelligence.
In the interview she claimed to be working for French military
intelligence as a spy. But French intelligence denied her story.
Then in 1917, the German military attaché in Madrid transmitted
a radio message to Berlin explaining that a German spy, code named
H-21 had delivered some valuable information. French intelligence
intercepted the message and broke the code identifying H-21 as
Mata Hari. Years later it was discovered that the Germans transmitted
the message using a code that they already new was broken by the
French.
Mata Hari was arrested in her room at the Hotel Plaza Athenee
in Paris. She was put on trial, accused of spying for Germany.
She was found guilty and was executed by firing squad on October
15th 1917 at the age of 41.
Anna Chapman came out of it a lot better than Mata Hari. Apparently
she was valuable enough that the Russian government unlocked the
jail doors for 4 prisoners accused of spying for America. Anna
and 9 others were later released and exchanged for the 4 American
spies.
Rich and powerful men are always vulnerable to young seductress
women, just ask Bill Clinton. But the women who use their looks
and bodies to seduce powerful men have to be careful, because
there is always some one who is younger and more attractive lined
up behind them to take their place. Beauty is fleeting, and spies
are expendable.
Matt Capps
matt@avalonn.com
Call 618-639-9858
Ask for Matt
For the best price on flat screen
TV's
Jerseyville Carpet, Furniture, Bedding,
Appliance, & TV Galleries
1672 S. State street
Jerseyville il 62052
618-639-9858
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