Intelligence Operations in the Cold War
This is a collection of primary source documents that discuss intelligence issues during the Cold War. The documents come from archives in many different Soviet bloc countries. They are mainly decision memorandums, descriptions, agreements, and reports. The collection includes mainly bilateral agreements for cooperation between Communist countries and domestic intelligence reports from Bulgaria. See also the Mitrokhin Archive and the Vassiliev Notebooks. (Image, KGB symbol)
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March 06, 1961
Protocol on the joint negotiations of the Czechoslovak Interior Ministry delegation and the delegation of KGB border troops
The Czechoslovak and Soviet delegations discussed the fulfillment of the 1958 joint proceedings on Soviet border troops, further coordination of the border organs of both parties, the relay of technical equipment at the border and joint actions for border searches. Also on the agenda was the easing of border passage in times of emergency for citizens of both states.
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June, 1961
Record of proceedings between the Soviet KGB and the Interior Ministry of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic on the expansion of intelligence cooperation
This document chronicles what was discussed between the KGB and Czechoslovak Interior Ministry concerning the coordination of intelligence and counter-intelligence acquisition and joint implementation of some of these measures. Global foreign policy and intelligence measures are discussed in places as diverse as the USA, NATO countries, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, the Vatican, Guatemala, Cuba, the Congo, Angola, Indonesia, India, England and France. The Czechoslovak Socialist Republic and the Soviet Union pledge to fight perceived imperialist threats from the USA in Latin America, Africa, the Near and Middle East and Southeast Asia. The document lists companies of interest to the two parties, primarily scientific, armament and machine factories and companies.
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January 09, 1962
East German Ministry of State Security, 'Brief Assessment of the Investigation Results Achieved in 1961 in Work on Crimes of Espionage'
Assessment by the Stasi of the espionage of the main Western secret services in East Germany based on its investigation of cases of spying in 1961.
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July 02, 1962
Agreement about Cooperation between the Committee for State Security under the USSR Council of Ministers and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic
The two delegations outline ways to unite their security apparatuses in the fight against subversive activity. Bilateral measures to be taken include the implementation of material and informational exchanges on hostile individuals and the sharing of news on the form and manner of unfriendly activity.
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April 26, 1963
Agreement between the Soviet and Czechoslovak state security bodies on the terms of delivery for specialized technology and the related bookkeeping procedure
This document details how to improve ties between the state security forces of the Soviet Union and Czechoslovak Republic. It refers to the terms of direct delivery of specialized technology associated with a military delivery plan. There is also discussion on bookkeeping methods so both nations can register the delivery. The protocol is designed to improve coordination of reciprocal deliveries of specialized technology.
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June 24, 1963
Agreement between representatives of Soviet and Czechoslovak security authorities on how to enhance security coordination
This agreement between the representatives of seven Soviet and seven Czechoslovak security agencies relates to enhanced security coordination between the two countries. The parties agree to share technological changes, various resources and intelligence that is relevant to state security.
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December 02, 1964
Stasi Report on Meetings with the KGB, 30 November-1 December 1964
Meetings between KGB Chairman Semichastny and East German Minister for State Security Mielke. Topics of discussion include Lyndon B. Johnson's recent election in the United States, Khrushchev's ouster from the Kremlin, Sino-Soviet relation, and Khrushchev's son-in-law Alexei Adzhubei.
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July 04, 1965
Summary Record of the Discussions CSSR MVD and KGB Delegations
This report summarizes extended cooperation measures undertaken by representatives of the Czechoslovak and Soviet security agencies. Methods to increase cooperation include the exchange of operational and scientific technology and enhanced coordination between operational agencies to combat espionage and ideological diversion.
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November 15, 1965
Letter from Angel Solakov to V.Semichastni on Acquired Materials from the Italian Embassy in Sofia
State Security Committee Chief, Solakov, forwards to Moscow materials acquired by Bulgarian secret agents from the Italian embassy building. Among the documents are code books and classified correspondence with Rome.
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January 11, 1966
Bulgarian Politburo Resolution on Intelligence Actions Against China and Albania
CC BCP Politburo approves Angel Solakov’s recommendation the State Security Committee to commence intelligence and counter-intelligence operations against PRC and Albania. In an attached report Solakov lays out the rationale for such actions. Solakov cites cases where the Chinese and Albanian intelligence services have allegedly embarked upon anti-Soviet actions in various countries of Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America.
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March 23, 1967
Bulgarian State Security Chairman Angel Solakov’s Report at a Bulgarian Communist Party Plenum
According to the State Security Committee chair, Angel Solakov, there has been a major shift in the policies of the West towards the Soviet bloc. While during the 1950s military face-off was often considered an option, in the late 1960s such possibility has been largely ruled out. Consequently the US and their allies in Western Europe are focusing their efforts on fighting socialism around the world through peaceful means, such as strengthening economic and cultural ties with the Soviet bloc countries. This calls for a change in the strategy of the State Security Committee intelligence operations. Solakov also reports on the anti-Soviet activities of the Chinese and Albanian intelligence services across Europe.
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November 05, 1968
Report Relayed by Andropov to the CPSU Central Committee, 'Students and the Events in Czechoslovakia'
KGB Chairman Yuri Andropov presents a secret, 33-page report to the CPSU Central Committee about the mood of Soviet college students. The report had been completed sometime before the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia, and had been circulating within the KGB. It is not clear precisely who drafted the report, but Andropov’s cover memorandum and the report itself indicate that the author was a college student in Odessa who had recently finished his degree.
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December 22, 1971
Summary of protocol on exchanges of informational experience between the interior ministries of the Soviet Union and Czechoslovak Republic to occur in 1972
This document outlines methods to improve the exchange of informational experience between the Soviet Union and CSSR in 1972. Strategies to increase cooperation include the development and stabilization of friendly relations, the exchange of government publications and the organization of recreational activities between the two countries, among many other ways.
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February 10, 1972
Protocol on cooperation and joint action between the Soviet KGB and border guards and border troops of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic regarding the inhibition of terroristic and hostile actions in international aviation
The parties agree to exchange information regarding the assurance of safety in civil aviation and the prevention of terrorist and other hostile acts. Plans are laid to coordinate steps for ensuring safety in airports in the Soviet Union and the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic that are open for international flights and for flights between the two countries. All parties agree to exchange information on international, scientific and technical themes which interest the parties and raise the safety level of civil aviation transport.