World Notes Defectors

Oleg Tumanov is alive and in the Soviet Union. But whether he is well is another question. Tumanov, 41, a former editor at Radio Liberty, the Munich- based, U.S.-sponsored station that broadcasts news to the Soviet Union, disappeared in February. Last week he reappeared at a bizarre press conference in Moscow, saying that after his 1965 defection the CIA had forced him to work for Radio Liberty.

Tumanov's sweaty, mumbling performance drew open disbelief and derision from the more than 100 Western reporters who had been summoned to the carefully scripted propaganda show. Tumanov is the fourth "redefector" to show up in Moscow in the past two years. His fate is uncertain. He is already under a death sentence stemming from his original defection. Asked last week whether he expected to be punished for his 20 years of anti-Soviet activities, he chose not to comment.