MA Pennis States math iprofessorng disappeared in 18 years ago. His sister continues to search, fearful that he might be dead, but even more afraid that he might be alive.

n Jan. 14, 1985, Olga Weis- ised to call his sister around Jan. 14, once feiler waited in he was settled back into State College. for a call from her brother. When the 14th elapsed with no call from Boris Weisfeiler was a 43- him, Olga was not too concerned. Then Oyear-old professor of mathematics at Penn the next day passed with no word. She says, State, a Russian-born U.S. citizen with a “I waited couple of days, then I began to penchant for long, solitary hikes in empty call him. Telephone didn’t answer.” country. He had backpacked alone in Si- Eighteen years later, Olga Weisfeiler beria, Uzbekistan, Alaska, the Canadian still does not know what happened to her North, and Peru. Olga didn’t understand brother. Chilean authorities eventually why he always had to hike alone. Once, declared that Boris had drowned trying after trekking in remote Canada, he had to cross a shallow river, but the story has alarmed her with stories about bears and several implausibilities, and no one has animal bones. “Animals are not danger- ever produced a body. Meanwhile, evi- ous,” he said. “People are.” dence has accumulated that Boris did not On Christmas Day 1984, Boris had meet an accidental death. Declassified flown to Chile for a few weeks of hiking documents indicate he was apprehended near the Argentine border. He had prom- by a Chilean army patrol that either killed by Dale Keiger

20 The Penn Stater January/February 2003 January/February 2003 The Penn Stater 21 him or turned him over to , a mys- Science, the Chilean Truth and Reconciliation Com- Weisfeiler had been warned that the night at his house; Boris gave him chocolates, terious settlement of immigrant Germans that has mission, the U.S. State Department, the U.S. em- tea, and fishing lures as gifts. The next morning, been accused of serving as a de- bassy in Chile, the Chilean embassy in the U.S., Penn backpacking alone in Chile might the farmer helped Weisfeiler cross to the north bank tention and torture center. State, and mathematicians around the world. She be dangerous. His reply: “This of the Nuble on horseback, and noticed that the Boris Weisfeiler is the lone American citizen has traveled to Washington and Santiago looking mathematician seemed experienced at crossing riv- among the 1,198 desaparecidos who vanished in for help. In Chile she gave interviews, met with hu- makes it even more interesting.” ers. Later that same day, José’s brother, Luis, who Chile during Pinochet’s 17 years of repressive rule. man rights investigators and activists, and published offer to join the faculty at Penn State. George was herding oxen, crossed Weisfeiler’s path. Luis The U.S. State Department regards his disappear- a public appeal in Chilean newspapers. She is Andrews, Evan Pugh professor of mathematics, re- went to the police in nearby El Roble to inform ance as an open case. Olga Weisfeiler has done ev- haunted by the possibility that her brother is still calls, “When Weisfeiler was hired, we in the depart- them of an unreported foreigner in the area. The erything she can imagine to find him. She has en- alive. “I sincerely wish he didn’t live through this ment regarded this as a real coup. He had a very local constabulary appeared alarmed. Two, possi- listed the aid of U.S. senators and representatives. horror,” she says. “But we don’t know, and I need substantial international reputation.” His research bly three, police set off on horseback to look for She has appealed to the American Jewish Congress, to know. I need to be sure.” was mostly in algebra. In State College he lived in Weisfeiler. They found nothing, they later reported, Amnesty International, the Committee of Con- an apartment in Toftrees and liked going to mov- but a single set of bootprints ending at the bank of cerned Scientists, the Human Rights Program of lga lives with her 20-year-old daughter Anna ies, reading, and playing with his friends’ children. the Los Sauces. the American Association for the Advancement of O in a rented house in Newton, Mass. On ev- He became a U.S. citizen in 1981. Olga says, “He For several months, all that Olga knew was that ery shelf, on every wall, in every nook of the house was exceptionally proud to be an American, and felt Boris was missing. “It seemed that nobody could are artifacts from Russia, China, Uzbekistan, Peru: protected by having an American passport.” do anything,” she recalls. “I had no information.” vases, urns, pitchers, figurines, many of them When he decided to go to Chile at the end of 1984, She kept calling friends of his in the States, and in Santiago brought back for her by Boris. Olga has a round he told a mathematician friend, David Kazhdan, “I March, three months after his disappearance, learned face, high cheekbones, and graying wavy hair, and want to wander, relax, and not see anyone.” The that the Sociedad Matemática de Chile had hired a most looks like her brother around her eyes. She is mother of another colleague had relatives in Lima, private investigator named Oscar Durán. Durán filed 59 years old and often limps these days, or confines Peru, and warned Boris that Chile might be danger- a report that repeated the story of the police search herself to her sofa, after a 1995 auto accident that ous for a lone backcountry traveler. He replied, “This and the footprints leading to the river, and described injured her neck and left her on total disability. She makes it even more interesting.” the recovery of the backpack, which Durán said had speaks English with a Russian accent and syntax, been pulled from the water by a fisherman. Missing but with full command. She learned after she immi- ere is what is known about Weisfeiler’s trek from the pack were Weisfeiler’s passport, his return grated from the in 1988. H in Chile: He arrived in Santiago on Christ- plane ticket, his camera, and some currency. She pulls out a Lord & Taylor gift box, which mas, then traveled to Los Angeles, a city about 360 In Moscow, as soon as Olga read Durán’s report C H I L E has a vibrant red rose printed on its top. Inside are miles to the south, and spent the night at the hotel she was suspicious. She says, “Was very strong im- hundreds of documents declassified by the U.S. gov- Mariscal Alcazar. He apparently intended to hike pression that he did not investigate. He just come ernment in 2000. Some of them say that her brother north until he was in the mountains well east of the to police and ask questions.” And there was a pecu- is dead. Others say he was still alive more than two town of Chillan, then head west to San Carlos be- liar sentence in the report: “The possibility that Dr. years after his disappearance. What is not in the Lord fore returning to Santiago. On Jan. 3, a farmer Weisfeiler entered Dignidad Colony [sic] can be Colonia Dignidad & Taylor box is a single definitive word on what named José López Benavides encountered him 18 discarded since it is more than 100 Km. from the

L became of Boris Weisfeiler. kilometers from the confluence of the Nuble and place where he was last seen.” If it was so far from o San Carlos s

S

a Los Sauces rivers. López invited Weisfeiler to spend Weisfeiler’s last known whereabouts, why was u

c N e u b s hen he came to the States in 1975, l R e Rive r Chillan i v e Weisfeiler brought two small suitcases, r W 1984 1985 containing mostly papers and books, and a knap- Dec. 24–25 Jan. 3 Jan. 4 sack stuffed with hiking gear. “He came without Penn State math professor A farmer encounters Weisfeiler crosses the Nuble Boris Weisfeiler, 43, flies from Weisfeiler near the confluence on horseback. The farmer’s Los Angeles money, without anything,” Olga recalls. “But the State College to Santiago for a of the Nuble and Los Sauces brother encounters moment he left Moscow, he started to help family.” solo hiking trip in Chile. rivers and invites Weisfeiler to Weisfeiler and reports him He sent back books, clothes, things that Olga could spend the night at his house. to the local police. Police

sell for cash to help her get by in Russia. He would Jane Shasky; previous page: © 2003 David Binder look for Weisfeiler, but report call home and talk to his mother. A paralyzing stroke finding only a set of bootprints ending at the edge of the Los Weisfeiler apparently spent about a week had left her unable to speak; she could only cry into Sauces River. backpacking north from the city of Los Angeles, the phone. Chile. He was last seen crossing the Nuble River, He was first hired by the Institute for Advanced near its confluence with the Los Sauces River. Studies at Princeton. A year later, he accepted an Courtesy of Olga Weisfeiler

22 The Penn Stater January/February 2003 January/February 2003 The Penn Stater 23 Colonia Dignidad mentioned at all? And what was to write letters request- Boris “presumed deceased.” of Colonia Dignidad: “When we came to a place it? Olga did research and became alarmed. Colonia ing a more strenuous in- “I always felt I’m not doing enough,” Olga says. where there were two rivers, the patrol came across Dignidad had been founded by German immigrants vestigation. The Penn “Something should be done. But what?” She wrote a man with a backpack…. [T]he officer-in-charge in 1961. It was a secretive enclave of about 300 State chapter of Am- to her cousin Svetlana, who was still in Moscow: “It ‘classified’ subject as a ‘Russian spy’ and a ‘Soviet.’ people living on 37,000 acres secured by a high fence nesty International col- is always with me, and it follows me everywhere. … We then took off his shoes, tied him up and took and patrolled by its own armed security force. She lected 3,740 signatures Sometimes I am trying not to think about it. But I him into Colonia Dignidad where he was turned found references to its founder, Paul Schäfer, as a on a petition demand- often have scary thoughts, that Boris is alive, some- over to the Chief of Security for Colonia former Nazi. ing action. But no sig- where in Chile, in that Nazi’s camp behind barbed Dignidad.… When the officer came out of the in- But from Moscow, where she remained caring nificant action was wire, and that I did too little, not enough to find terrogation area he said that subject was not a So- for her mother, Olga could do little. She could not forthcoming. him and free him. It’s always the same dead end, an viet or CIA but a ‘Jewish spy.’” The informant approach the U.S. embassy without getting herself By late 1987, Olga’s emptiness that is spreading inside of me.” claimed that on two later occasions, he had seen in trouble with the Soviet authorities, and the em- mother had died and this man alive making adobe bricks inside the camp. bassy never contacted her, though papers later re- her son Lev was ap- ugusto Pinochet surrendered power in 1990. And there was one more thing. “Daniel” had re-

Courtesy of Olga Weisfeiler vealed that it had been notified by the State De- proaching the age of In 1999, the Clinton administration ordered cently learned “from an ex-member of [unintelli- Boris in 1981 on the day he received A military conscription. the declassification of U.S. documents related to hu- gible] that subject was still alive after two years.” his American citizenship: “He felt She decided to emi- man rights abuses in Chile. Nearly two years later, a Olga says, “I was shocked, mostly about how Then-Penn State president Bryce protected by having an American grate. She and her two FedEx driver came to Olga’s door and delivered a embassy knew and did not find him, did not save passport,” Olga says. Jordan and faculty in the math children were granted box. Inside were 250 documents that pertained to him. I slept two, three hours a day, eating nothing, department petitioned for an permission to leave the Soviet Union in February her brother. She sat on her sofa and began to read. cried, and read documents over and over again day 1988, and she came to Newton, a Boston suburb. “I read probably a week, over and over again. I didn’t and night, before I understood situation.” investigation into Weisfeiler’s She had a Ph.D. in microbiology and an M.D., but see much in beginning. I even skipped some parts. Among the documents were cables and memos disappearance, with little result. to get a job as a research assistant she downplayed Then I came to 1987, and I start to make notes.” that described the local constabulary’s explanation her credentials, claiming only a B.S. and M.S. She What got her attention for the events of January 1985 as riddled with in- partment of Boris’ disappearance. She learned that began to learn English and looked for anyone who from 1987 was the consistencies. A State De- in June 1985, the Penn State math department might help her find her brother. She applied to the summary of a tape re- had made a Freedom of Information Act request newly formed Chilean Truth and Reconciliation cording of an infor- for documents pertaining to the case. The State Commission to have her brother’s disappearance mant who had been Department took 15 months to declassify the in- investigated. Three years later, the commission, interviewed by U.S. formation released by the embassy. One of the docu- which was established post-Pinochet to investigate embassy personnel. ments, an embassy memo dated April 10, 1985, human rights abuses during his rule, turned her Later identified only noted that the boundaries of Colonia Dignidad were down because, according to a letter from the U.S. as “Daniel,” this in- more extensive then previously believed: “Thus, at State Department, “The Commission has deter- formant said he’d the time of his disappearance Weisfeiler was either mined that the evidence provided was insufficient been part of an on or very near to the Colonia property.” The de- to support the conclusion that his disappearance army unit that in classification prompted then-Penn State president was caused by agents of the Government of Chile.” 1985 was patrol-

Bryce Jordan and members of the math department In October 1992, a Pennsylvania court declared © 2003 David Binder ling the perimeter

1985 1987 1988 1990 1992 January March April 10 June Spring February Feb. 6 October Olga Weisfeiler, Boris’ sister in The Sociedad Matemática de The consul general of the U.S. The Penn State math depart- Bryce Jordan, then-president Olga Weisfeiler emigrates from In response to requests from A Pennsylvania court declares Moscow, becomes concerned Chile hears of Weisfeiler’s embassy in Santiago sends a ment makes a Freedom of of Penn State, and faculty in Moscow, settles near Boston, the U.S. embassy in Santiago Weisfeiler “presumed dead.” when she doesn’t hear from disappearance and hires a memo to the chargé d’affaires Information Act request for the math department write and continues to lobby offi- to hire a Chilean attorney to him. She begins making calls private investigator, who noting that, when Weisfeiler documents pertaining to the letters requesting that mem- cials in the U.S. and Chile for work on Weisfeiler’s case, a to friends of his in Boston. learns that Weisfeiler’s back- disappeared, he was probably case. bers of Congress press for an information about her budget officer for the U.S. pack had been recovered. The on or very near to property aggressive investigation of brother’s whereabouts. State Department cables the investigator also mentions belonging to Colonia Dignidad. Weisfeiler’s disappearance. U.S. embassy to say, “At Colonia Dignidad, reputed to present time there are no be a detention and torture funds available … for this center for Chilean dictator project.” Augusto Pinochet.

24 The Penn Stater January/February 2003 January/February 2003 The Penn Stater 25 partment memo stated that contrary to the Chil- lga has read the contents of the Lord & Tay- mysterious circumstances. Colonia Dignidad re- ean private investigator’s report, Boris’ backpack O lor box uncounted times, and she’s sure of mains nearly impervious. A Chilean journalist who was not soaking wet when found, but dry and free some things. She is sure her brother, a careful, ex- has investigated the colony, Pascale Bonnefoy, says, of any signs of submersion in the river. Olga found perienced hiker, did not drown attempting to ford “Its leaders have an extensive network of accom- a Feb. 21, 1985, embassy memo: “Amb. [James a river. She is sure someone took him prisoner and plices and contacts among local police, judges, and Theberge] said the one thing that bothered him turned him over to Colonia Dignidad, a place she political supporters who feed them confidential in- about closing the file on the case was that one hint sardonically describes as “not best place for Soviet formation about the investigation, and more im- that W. was alive.” So the embassy had “one hint” Jew.” She is sure the U.S. government failed to do portantly, when the police are going to raid the that Weisfeiler might be alive, and had done what all it could to find him. The government wants to place.” Chilean authorities have been inside the fence in response? Not much, as far as Olga could tell. protect its intelligence sources, she believes, “and a few times in the last five years, searching for Schäfer, An April 1986 memo from consul general Jayne don’t care about life of American citizen.” Her sus- Colonia Dignidad’s founder, who is wanted on Kobliska said, “If Weisfeiler is still alive and is be- picions are endorsed by Peter Kornbluh, a senior charges of abusing boys in the colony. One of these ing held captive somewhere in Chile (probably in analyst at the non-governmental National Security searches, in September 2000, turned up a file la- Colonia Dignidad), widespread publicity could be Archive who has spent more than 16 years investi- beled “Boris Weisfeiler.” Inside was the supposedly

the best means we have of saving his life.” A year gating human rights abuses in Chile. Kornbluh as- © 2003 David Binder confidential report from Oscar Durán, the investi- serts that “a massive cover-up of U.S. documenta- gator hired by the Chilean mathematicians in 1985. Olga Weisfeiler at her home in Boston. “Boris’ disappearance tion and knowledge of this case has taken place.” It had been annotated in German. Three people who were among is always with me,” she says. “It follows me everywhere.” Olga perseveres as best she can. She has written the last to see Weisfeiler have to the current Chilean army commander and to the have taken on the case pro bono. Kornbluh describes lga Weisfeiler pulls out photo albums full of since died under mysterious defense minister. She has set up a Web site (www desk officers in the human rights bureau of the State O her brother. She knows which pictures were .weisfeiler.com/boris). In September 1998, she Department as having been “incredibly supportive” taken when he was on his treks, because he never circumstances. In one case the hired a Chilean attorney to petition for a formal in- within the last few years, and says, “I think there is shaved while in the wilderness. She often points to official explanation was suicide. vestigation. In January 2000, a judge ruled that such a quiet and steady effort to try and work with the a photo of him on the day he became a U.S. citizen. an investigation was warranted. For a time, the case Chileans to resolve this case.” The U.S. has offered He is holding gifts and a small American flag, and later, Kobliska complained, “The ‘Mickey Mous- was under the jurisdiction of Juan Guzmán Tapia, to lend FBI assistance to the investigation, but the he’s smiling broadly. ing’ around we’ve done on this case with [the Chil- the jurist in charge of investigating human rights Chilean government has not responded. She thinks about documents that refer to Boris as ean] government is disgraceful and though I think abuses under Pinochet. Guzmán put genuine effort Kornbluh accuses the Chilean military of “stone- having been tortured and kept in “animal-like condi- forcefulness should have been applied a long time into the case, but the case has just been transferred walling, refusing to turn over names and documents tions,” and she says, “If he is still alive, I imagine him ago, it wasn’t.” to another judge. Chilean journalists have worked that I think quickly would lead to resolution.” In in so bad physical and psychological condition that Finally, there was a heartbreaking exchange of the story, as has the New York Times. Gary Mullen, 1986, Luis López Benavides, the herder who re- he not even know where he is or what his name.” cables beginning March 1989, when the embassy re- chairman of the Penn State math department, has ported Weisfeiler to the police, was found hanging Meanwhile, she says, she is “waiting. Waiting for law- quested funds to “engage a knowledgeable local at- written to members of the U.S. Senate and House, from a cable-car bridge that Weisfeiler may have tried yers. What I can do more?” She is frustrated, con- torney” to petition the Chilean authorities for an in- seeking information. The Committee for Concerned to use to cross the river; the official explanation was vinced that everyone—the U.S. government, the vestigation. On February 6, 1990, a State Depart- Scientists has established a legal fund. Lawyers in suicide. In July 2001, the Chilean publication País Chilean government, Penn State—could be more ment budget and finance officer wrote, “At present Chile and the States, including Alene Shafnisky ’94 reported that two of the Army patrolmen who al- responsive to her entreaties. Time keeps slipping time there are no funds available … for this project.” Lib of the Chicago law firm Winston & Strawn, legedly took Weisfeiler into custody had died under away, and where, she asks, is there any action be- yond the writing of letters? Why can no one breach 1999 2000 2001 2002 the gates of Colonia Dignidad and search for him? February January September July April December She has feared that he is dead. Now she fears that The Clinton administration A Chilean judge agrees to Chilean authorities go inside A Chilean publication reports The Chilean defense minister Olga Weisfeiler goes to he is still alive. Colonia Dignidad has a lot of com- declassifies U.S. documents allow a formal investigation Colonia Dignidad and find a that two of the soldiers who pledges full cooperation with Chile to meet local police, puters, she says. It would find useful a man with her about Weisfeiler’s case. into Weisfeiler’s disappear- folder labeled “Boris took Weisfeiler into custody in the continuing Chilean judical judicial and governmental Among the papers is a sum- ance. Weisfeiler,” reinforcing suspi- 1985 later died under mysteri- inquiry. officials, and the U.S. am- brother’s mind. “I cannot talk or think about any- mary of an interview with a cions that Weisfeiler is—or ous circumstances. Chilean bassador. Two Congress- thing else,” she says. “I am still have trouble sleep- Chilean army informant who was—in the colony’s custody. attorneys agree to represent men and a Senator send ing. I wake up in middle of night. Okay, I have nice reports helping seize Olga pro bono. new letters insisting on a house, nice bed, nice white sheets. What does he Weisfeiler near the perimeter thorough investigation. of Colonia Dignidad in 1985 Olga hopes to travel to the have? He is alive. He is there.” and turning him over to the gates of Colonia Dignidad. colony’s chief of security. Dale Keiger is a senior writer at Johns Hopkins magazine.

26 The Penn Stater January/February 2003 January/February 2003 The Penn Stater 27