ZONES ALONG RUMANIA'S BORDERS WITH HUNGARY, YUGOSLAVIA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00809A000700120280-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: R
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 14, 2011
• Sequence Number: 280
• Publication Date: July 23, 1953
• Content Type: REPORT

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/09/14: CIA-RDP80-00809A000700120280-6
INFORMATION FROM
FOREIGN DOCUMENTS OR RADIO BROADCASTS CD NO.
COUNTRY Rumania
SUBJECT Political - Police measures, border zones
Military - Border troops
HOW
PUBLISHED
WHERE
DATE OF
INFORMATION 1953
...DATE DIST. -^k3 Jul 1953
Daily newspaper
PUBLISHED Salzburg
DATE
LANGUAGE
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Nry 55_.-.REPORT NO.
ZONES ALONG RUMANIA'S BORDERS
WITH HUNGARY, YUGOSLAVIA
Until 1948 the easiest escape route from Rumania was through Hungary. But
then Rumania and Hungary drew up an agreement stipulating that all Rumanian ref-
ugees caught in Hungary were to be delivered to Rumanian Border Guard units.
The 370-kilometer Rumanian-Hungarian border was fortified on both sides. A bor-
der strip 30 kilometers deep was declared a prohibited area. Inhabitants of
this strip were given special identity papers. Entry into the prohibited area
is very difficult. Those entering the area must present special permits or spe-
cial papers, employment books, ration cards, party or union membership cards,
and soldiers' pay books.
Since two large cities, Oradea-Mare and Arad, each with a population of
100,000, are located in the prohibited area, travel from the interior of Rumania
has become extremely difficult. As a result, there has been an economic reces-
sion in these cities. This recession has not affected those in power, however.
All those living within 5 kilometers of the Rumanian-Hungarian border have
been evacuated since 1950. This has affected such large and prosperous villages
as Curtice and Salonta. In this area barbed wire entanglements 4 meters wide
and 1.5 meters high, watch towers equipped with machine guns, and searchlights
have been set up. Mines and alarms have been placed at border points formerly
most frequently used for illegal crossings. Patrols guard the area with police
dogs, day and night. In addition, numerous listening posts cut the possibility
of undetected approach to the border.
Further security measures are applied inside the 30-kilometer border zone.
No railroad conductor or vehicle driver can sell a ticket to an individual un-
less the individual has a special permit. Permanent insD3ction units of the
Militia, wearing mufti, are assigned to hotels and restaurants. Check points
are maintained at all intersections and bridges at the entrance to the border
zone so that unauthorized entry is now practically impossible. Safety precau-
tions are further aided by numerous agents and agents provocateurs. Information
on these security measures hes been confirmed by many refugees who have succeeded
in reaching the West.
M
NSRB
F91
STAT
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/09/14: CIA-RDP80-00809A000700120280-6
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/09/14: CIA-RDP80-00809A000700120280-6
It is noteworthy that these measures were taken along the Hungarian border,
although Hungary too is a people's republic. Until Tito's break with Moscow the
Rumanian-Yugoslav border was not especially guarded. However, at present the
area along the Rumanian side of the Yugoslav border appears completely abandoned.
The prohibited zone is 50 kilometers deep. In 1950, the Banat Germans of the
Baragan steppes were deported to Eastern Rumania. This was followed by deporta-
tions of "untrustworthy elements," including Rumanians, Serbs, and Bulgarians.
Finally, inhabitants of the prohibited zone lost about 80 percent of their assets.
Today many villages are empty or occupied by Soviet and Rumanian soldiers,
Schools, large farms, and churches are used as barracks, arms and ammunition
depots, and military repair shops. Fertile land is used for drilling. Approxi-
mately 60 percent of the Rumanian Army is stationed along the 400-kilometer Ru-
manian-Yugoslav border. The soldiers receive political training and are selected
for political reasons. No trustworthy troops or Border Guard units are currently
being replaced. The zone where the Danube forms the natural boundary is just as
closely guarded as the areas where no natural boundary exists. The Danube port
of Orsova resembles an army camp. Civilians are rarely seen except for port and
dock workers.
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/09/14: CIA-RDP80-00809A000700120280-6