My dictionary describes a mole as a "spy, who has infiltrated anorganisation and become a trusted member of it." In the craft ofintelligence, it has over the years come to acquire a looser meaning. A mole is a person consciously agreeing to work for a foreign intelligence agency eitherin return for a consideration (money, gifts etc) or favour (which could besexual or otherwise) or under pressure (blackmail). He is an informallycontracted employee of the agency, who performs the intelligence-collection ordecision-influencing or other tasks such as planting a bugging device given tohim by the agency. He is under the control of the agency and obliged to performthe tasks allotted to him.