14.3 Journey of Ascension

Those New York papers that he contributed with his articles over the years remained silent after learning Tyler Friesen was missing since March. John Adams even contacted a couple of magazines to talk about him. Then in September, John Adams read in The Washington Post of the missing columnist with an interview obtained from Sandra Friesen who claimed that the authorities were not doing enough. One of the Post journalists heard about his disappearance from a New York contact and approached Sandra Friesen.

The authorities were doing everything they can. On this day, at an intelligence briefing held at 601, one of the leading issues was that of Harold Lovestrand arrested in West Irian along with his family, though not exactly on Lieutenant Colonel Rolnik’s desk for it was contained by the Central Intelligence Agency. Sukarno’s government in Indonesia arrested the missionary on sedition during a time this country was in chaos with revolts and civil war, severed relations with the United States. With much talks, Ambassador Marshall Green was able to meet this family on 13^th September. In a positive development, this family was released but Lovestrand continued to be held by the Indonesian Army.

On the sidelines, John Adams mentioned to his chief about the article in The Washington Post and they came to an agreement that it was time to call the violinist, Samvel Salazar in Armenia.

On the 1^st of October, Sandra Friesen called John Adams to say that she received a letter from her husband in good health in Siberia. A copy of this letter, dated 26^th July, was obtained by John Adams at 601 4^th St NW and he advised Mrs Friesen not to involve the press because during this time, real spies and fake spies were swopped at the border between East and West.

Hence, the Department of State took lead of the matter and demanded the Russian government to release Tyler Friesen unlawfully held in Siberia…at Turukhansk, attached with a photograph.

Swiss channels were open, Turkey was involved, communication carried out with Budapest, Moscow and Yerevan in the diplomatic protocol. A reply from Moscow came after two weeks, dated 25^th October 1965, to notify that there was no American by the name of Tyler Friesen held in custody or otherwise in the USSR.

By then, Sandra Friesen received another letter, dated 12^th August which was his 52^nd Birthday, in which he wrote to say how much he missed her and that he had received no letters from her. Furthermore, he wrote that she should address her letters to William Murphy as may be the case for non-delivery. He was incarcerated under a different name. He wrote if she could get the authorities to contact Howard Turner in New York, with his address and telephone number provided, this man could explain Tyler Friesen’s dual nationality to pose as an Irishman. He was oblivious of the fact that Turner was dead. Tyler also wrote that he would try fix a contact in Moscow to act as a middleman through whom she could send him letters…assuming she was receiving his letters.

He failed to mention Samvel Salazar or General Allan Howe otherwise for obvious reasons Tyler avoided those names. Either way, if he did, it could have been of great help for the FBI to get to the bottom.

The Department of State deliberated on various ways to approach the Soviet authorities. One method was to engage Dublin and initiate an Irish request but the idea was dropped.

The American Embassy posted another official request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the USSR to look for both men – Tyler Friesen and William Murphy. This letter was ignored apart from an arbitrary exchange of an argument on the telephone basically saying none of the men have been located.

Tyler Friesen was not a priority for the American Administration given a time of numerous cases of more serious detainees had to be negotiated out of the Eastern Bloc. Tyler Friesen was not the only one gone missing or whereabouts unknown. If not for Rolnik’s office, his case would have gone cold. In context of recent dialogue with Moscow, Rolnik advised not to call Samvel Salazar at this moment. Tyler Friesen mentioned Howard Turner in his letter who’d know about his dual personality. It pushed the FBI to find the missing link. All three were connected – Howard Turner, Tyler Friesen and the Armenian.

Emmon was interviewed again. He was shown a photograph and asked if he knew either Tyler Friesen or William Murphy, whether he’d seen anyone who fits this description come to meet Howard Turner. Was Mr Turner a forger or was he ever involved in forging passports, an identity card or other documents of the sort, at his office which was turned over again looking for clues? Would his employer seek outside assistance for a forgery and if so, where would it be? Turner & Sons did restoration on old books however, FBI found nothing suspicious left behind that could lead to criminal activity.

Emmon cried soberly, “I do not know if he has a son or not, I haven’t seen anyone. I don’t know him.” This was the alternative mystery for Turner & Sons belonged to no one. Turner didn’t have a son. This company might have been founded several generations ago but FBI could not trace it either way.

Tyler Friesen was a masterclass spy for whatever he did, he did thoroughly in the second oldest occupation known to mankind. It baffled John Adams for he couldn’t tell which side Tyler Friesen was working for. Perhaps, he would appear just like he disappeared. When it grew too intricate, Samvel Salazar was never contacted to ensure the necessary security measures were in place. Then for several months, nothing happened.