Monday, Mar. 16, 1987

American Notes ESPIONAGE

Afraid that your commanding officer is a spy? Convinced that your brother-in- law is selling secrets to the Soviets? Then dial 1-800 CALL-SPY. After a yearlong trial run at four bases around the nation, the Army will introduce a plan next month that will allow soldiers and civilian employees to report suspects simply by calling a toll-free number.

Army personnel will be asked to keep an eye out for suspicious incidents, including colleagues who claim to be taking short trips within the U.S. but who return with foreign currency, those who brag about working with classified data and strangers who ask for base telephone listings. The Army concedes that no spies were caught during the system's testing period; indeed, the Army has not had a major espionage case in recent years. "We're trying to maintain this record," says Lieut. Colonel Richard Holk, a spokesman for the Army's Intelligence and Security Command.