AGRARIAN COMMUNITIES OF AYAGUZ AND CHU, KAZAKH SSR

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 03163988
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: March 8, 2023
• Document Release Date: August 13, 2019
• Case Number: F-2018-00127
• Publication Date: November 26, 1953

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Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C03163988
CLASSIFICATION CONF NTIAL/SECURITY TWORMATTON batiliW7
(b)(3)
REPORT NO
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
COUNTRY
SUBJECT
PLACE
ACQUIRED
USSR
INFORMATION REPORT
CD NO.
DATE DISTR.2.6 Nov 1953
Agrarian Communities of Ayaguz and Chu, Kazakh SSR NO. OF PAGES 2
DATE
ACQUIRED BY SOURCE
DATE OF INFORMATION
vI
1940-42
i9140-42
THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING THE NATIONAL DEFENSE
OF THE UNITED STATES, NITHIN THE MEANING UP TITLE 18, SECTIONS 793
AND TE/So DE THE U.S. CODE, AS AMENDED. ITS AAAAAA ISGION OR PETE.
LOTION OF ITS CONTENTS TO OR RECEIPT MY AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON IS
PROHIMITED IT LAG. THE REPRODUCTION OF THIS FOAM IS PROHIRITED.
NO. OF ENCLS.
(LISTED BELOW)
SUPPLEMENT TO
REPORT NO.
(b)(1)
(b)(3)
THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATION
SOURCE
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(b)(3)
1. Ayaguz (Sergiopol) (47o56'N - 80�23'E) in 1940 and 1941 was a simple village
consisting of stone and lime buildings and a railroad station. The economy was
solely agrarian. A central sovkhoz was located about 20 miles southeast of the
village, with four smaller sovkhozes in an area about 12 miles east of
the central one. Transportation from Ayaguz to sovhhozes was by foot or oxcart.
There was no railroad or vehicle road. The central sovkhoz was the administrative
seat for the four smaller sovkhozes. It had a grade school, a tractor and
combine pool, and handled mail. Gasoline for tractors was hauled by oxcart from
Ayaguz rail station. Crops raised consisted of wheat and oats. Due to apathy
and negligence on the part of sovkhoz members, including native Kazakhs, crops
were not harvested properly or on time, became dark and mildewed, and were all
but unfit for human consumption. Stock consisted of sheep and cattle. The smaller'
sovkhozes had flocks of about one thousand sheep each. Sheep were sheared semi-
annually, and some were slaughtered to provide meat for the.Soviet Army.: Cattle were
used for milking and slaughtering, with cheese and meat products also going to the
Soviet Army. All meat was salted.
2. Brucellosis accounted for the death of about 207/10 of sheep flocks annually.
Veterinary care was primitive and consisted of isolating sick from healthy animals.
No inoculations were available. Native Kazakhs were in the habit of eating
flesh of sheep dead from brucellosis, and suffered no noticeable ill effects.
3. Kazakhs residing in this area: were notjm,sympathy with the Soviet_Government, and
particularly opposed the collective farm system. The primitive nature of the
country precluded earning a better livelihood and most were resigned to their lot.
Some, however, mentioned the opportunity for escape to Sinkiang, a course taken
by a few from time to time. Their knowledge of medical care was cursory, and
many believed in the curative power of gold when touched to a diseased portion of
the body. They were fatalistic concerning life and death, and did not value human
life highly. Fortunately, the climate in Ayaguz was healthy, with a dry cold in
the winter, resulting in little sickness.
CLASSIFICATION CONF
ITIAL/SECCRITY INFORMATION
DISTRIBUTION
ORR EV
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CONFIDENTIAL/SECURITY INFORMATION
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4. An informer system existed in sovkhozes of Ayaguz, though guards were non-
existent. Informers were the typical tale-bearing type, usually natives, who
curried favor with sovkhoz officials. Sovkhoz officials controlled the mail
system, and demanded a portion of contents of gift packages as a pourbOire...
5. Agrarian community of Chu (43�36'N - 73�42'E) was composed of kolkhozes.
Zugar.beets were the staple crop of all kolkhozes. Irrigation was possible
through water impounded by several small dams on local streams. One kolkhoz was
manned by Ukrainians. They had numerous vegetable gardens and raised excellent
watermelons and potatoes. The largest kolkhoz was called Lenin, and was located
about four miles east of the village of Chu.
-end-
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CONFIDENTIAL/SECURITY INFORMATION
Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C03163988