Off the Beach

Glen Cove's Soviet policy

When the city fathers of the otherwise peaceful Long Island, N.Y., town of Glen Cove read that the local 36-acre estate for Soviet United Nations diplomats was probably being used for electronic spying, they decided they needed their own foreign policy. They sought to engage the enemy on the beaches. Or more precisely, not engage them there. The city council decided to withdraw the Soviets' rights to use the town's beaches, tennis courts and golf course.

"This is in protest against our Government's permitting the Soviets to occupy a residence in Glen Cove tax free and turning it against our national interests," declared Mayor Alan Parente. The Soviets immediately protested to American officials, and the State Department delivered a stern reprimand: "This is an action that interferes in the conduct of foreign affairs, a function within the exclusive competence of the Federal Government."

But a spokesman conceded, "We absolutely deny we are going to send the Marines to free the Russians from the grasp of the mayor of Glen Cove."

In this eyeball-to-eyeball confrontation, Glen Cove (pop.

25,000) refused to blink.

By a 6-to-l vote, the ban-the-beach hard-liners prevailed once more last week. Afterward, Parente posed provocatively in front of the Soviet mansion, while a German shepherd behind the iron gate growled softly. The State Department referred the matter to the Justice Department for investigation.

But like most matters of principle, this one may end up with a financial solution. If the Soviets, or the U.S. Government on their behalf, agree to pay the $75,000 or so in property taxes that would normally be owed to the Glen Cove treasury from the estate, would the diplomats be set free to swim and swing their racquets and clubs?

Says Parente: "Certainly that's something we'd consider."

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