Former CIA spy finds truth through deception

News-Post Staff Deception is an art. Antonio Mendez, a Knoxville resident who spent 25 years work- ing for the Central Intelligence Agency, knows this as well as any former spy. But Mr. Mendez is also an award-winning painter whose images, he says, show the "energy and essence of nature." The illusions, disguises and even lies of international espi- onage are intriguing. But truth, Mr. Mendez says, "is much more interesting. It was very gasy to win the Cold War. All you had to do was tell them (the Soviets) the truth." Mr. Mendez, 56, was no ordi- nary secret agent. He will be hon- ored this week as a CIA "Trailblazer" for founding the agency's physical disguise pro- gram, according to a CIA announcement. He invented "tech- ANTONIO MENDEZ niques to evade hostile surveil- lance, ensure operational conceal- involve classified information. ment, and synthesize strategic, Much of his work officially illusory tradecraft tools," the remains a mystery. He discusses agency said. The details of Mr. Mendez' career are few because they (Continued on Page A-4) Mendez (Continued from Page A-1) were taken in and hidden. In his his career in what he calls "gener- book "From the Shadows," Robert ic" terms. Gates, former director of the CIA, Mr. Mendez admits he helped described a "very brave CIA offi- forge "personal identity docu- cer" who "entered Iran with false ments. Everything from soup to identities for the six" and man- nuts." He worked on disguises, aged to get them out. This hap- once transforming an African- pened in the first four months of American and an Asian into cau- 1980, he wrote. casians to make them look like Asked if he had a hand in the each other. He managed "exfiltra- hostage rescue, Mr. Mendez said, tion," helping foreign informers "given the fact that Iran is a for- escape from their governments or midable terrorist threat, I have no countries. He helped change their comment." identities and break their "trails." In the artist's studio, colorful He was involved, he says, in a landscapes and floral studies line world crisis — the kind where the the walls, a contrast to the black- lives of American citizens were at and-white photos of his "museum." stake. There was a rescue. "I con- In impressionist style, he captures ceived the plan right here," he idyllic scenes, many of them from says, gesturing at his kitchen. But the region. Although he began the techniques "have to be pre- painting in earnest in 1984, retire- served. You can't talk about them ment allows him to concentrate on because you've got to use them it more. again." The principles of art, Mr. There are souvenirs of his ser- Mendez said, are often used in vice in Mr. Mendez' study, which war. In World War II, the U.S. he likes to call his "little muse- Navy managed to create a phan- um." There is the photo he shot tom fleet using special effects. from a car of the KGB in his rear- Silhouettes were made to seem view mirror. There is a photo- like lair boats from a German graph of former president Jimmy submarine periscope's perspec- Carter, grinning as he shakes the tive. On D-Day, an army of wood- hand of Mr. Mendez. There is the en cutouts was used to scare the heavy, round medal called the enemy. "Intelligence Star" lying in its But there are no scarecrows in case. Mr. Mendez's paintings, no violent The framed citation from the wartime scenes. His images focus CIA says Mr. Mendez earned the on tranquil environmental beauty. star for his "courageous and hero- He wants, he said, "to act as a ic performance during an medium" to show the "magic of unprecedented intelligence under- our surroundings." taking." It is dated May 1980, He said he became an artist for about the time of the hostage cri- the same reasons he became a sis in Iran. secret agent, he said. "You've got Six Americans escaped to the to have an adventurous spirit. Candian embassy where they You've got to be a romantic."