The Chase

The Swiss pride themselves on discreetly welcoming even the most notorious guest, but even they were hard put last week to keep their cool. Into their midst dropped perhaps the biggest defector ever to leave the Soviet Union, Stalin's daughter Svetlana. That was bad enough, but it was nothing compared with the force of 200 reporters and TV cameramen that fanned across the country in search of Svetlana, to whom the Swiss gave a visa and the promise of privacy. While Swiss detectives plotted the newsmen's progress like generals keeping tabs on enemy guerrillas, the international press pack prowled the chalets from Davos to Geneva, traveling in rented cars and helicopters, haranguing hotel clerks for information and passing out rivers of Swiss francs in useless tips and bribes.

As more facts became known about Svetlana's defection, it became clear that it was a long-considered and well-planned move. Svetlana was not getting along with the leaders of the Kremlin, who have taken a special interest in her since her father's death. They provided her with a flat in Moscow, a car and a dacha in the country. Then a year ago, Svetlana married her third husband, Indian Communist Brajesh Singh, whom she had met in Moscow. For unknown reasons, the Kremlin opposed the marriage but reluctantly allowed it to take place. After that, the Soviet government took away many of Svetlana's special privileges and had her closely watched. When Singh died last year at 59, the embittered Svetlana decided to defect. To this end, she asked for and obtained permission to carry his ashes to India for the traditional immersion in the Ganges. Sometime in mid-December she arrived in New Delhi.

A Phone Call. Soon after Svetlana had performed the Hindu rites for her husband, she met Indira Gandhi at a reception and took the opportunity to ask for asylum. She was rebuffed by Mrs. Gandhi, who told her that she was worried about "international complications." When she came to the U.S. embassy to seek asylum two weeks ago, the Americans had the same concern.

They helped her to get to Geneva, where the Swiss last week spirited her away to an Alpine retreat in Beatenberg (pop. 1,200), about 26 miles from Berne. Living in a small hotel, the Jungfraublick, Svetlana relaxed for two days in the crisp air, enjoyed a breathtaking view of the Jungfrau and other peaks. Feeling confident, she strolled to a nearby ski shop to buy a parka and ski pants, more appropriate to the surroundings than the olive two-piece suit that she wore. It was her undoing. The store owner recognized her and phoned the news to the sensationalist Zurich tabloid Blick, which offers money for all such tips.

As soon as the morning editions of Blick were out with the news of Svet lana's retreat, squadrons of reporters were on the way to Beatenberg. But Swiss police had learned of the telephoned tip and once again packed Svetlana's scant belongings and whisked her away. Though told that she had left hours ago, reporters nevertheless swarmed over the Jungfraublick, running through corridors, interviewing maids and offering bribes to anyone who would talk. Finally, the chase ended when a miniskirted servant girl looked through the keyhole of Svetlana's room and proclaimed: "She's gone! She's gone!" Swiss Police Commissioner Ernst Spoerri assured everyone that by then Svetlana had settled at least 80 miles away.

Uncertain Future. At week's end, Svetlana was still safely hidden somewhere in the vast mountainous reaches of Switzerland. "We have now taken her to a place that is somewhat less accessible to the general public," said Commissioner Spoerri, in a sporting challenge to footsore reporters. "Don't ask me where." Wherever she is, the red-haired defector is contemplating an uncertain future. So long as she continues to stay out of sight, however, refraining from making public statements about her troubles back in Russia that might create an embarrassment for the Swiss, Svetlana is likely to be allowed to stay.

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