Russian spies are 'gentlemen'

WASHINGTON (AFP) - A top Russian intelligence official said yesterday his country was still spying in the US, but has adopted a new code of ethics meant to dull espionage's nasty edge.

'We favour a gentlemen's method, without pressure, blackmail,' Lieutenant-General Vadim Kirpichenko told reporters at the Center for Democracy, a private group that helped to sponsor his visit. 'We refuse to use rough methods with people we are working on.'

Gen Kirpichenko, an aide to the head of the Foreign Intelligence Service said Russia was spying less than the defunct KGB. It had ceased funnelling money to dissident US groups and promoting disinformation about the US but still gathered information about matters like arms control.