(Classified)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP83-00423R000800300001-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: November 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 4, 1998
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: June 25, 1953
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 01-9
Country : Hungary/Turkey/Lebanon/Egypt/Rumania/Bulgaria
Sub jecc5X1 X6
Resumption of Reparations Danubian Flotillas/Giurgiu-Russe Bridge/
Changeover of Hungarian Crews.
Place Acquired:
25X1A6a
Date Acquired : 25 June 1953
Date of Inf : 1 - 20 June 1953 25X1 X6
Source
Hungarian Exports and Imports
1.
"The Hungarian vessel TISZA, which reached Istanbul 20 June 1953, came
directly
from Budapest. It carried for Istanbul and Izmir a cargo of glassware,
locks, barrels of oil for soap and agricultural machinery. For Beirut
paint,
it
carried matches and pipes for household plumbing. For Alexandria, Egypt, it
carried electric meters, silk and lace.
2.
"Starting 1 June 1953 the Rumanian (slep) and Hungarian (uszaly) barges which
were being drawn upstream on the Danube by strong tugs, All seemed to be
carrying pyrites exclusively. At present (late June 1953) the destination of
this pyrite is not known, but it is probably destined for Czechoslovakia.
This iron ore is of Soviet origin. It is not Rumanian origin, because
Rumanian production has diminished. It is loaded in the Soviet port on the
Danube - - at Ismail and at Reni.
Resumption of Reparation Deliveries
3. "At Budapest on 10 June 1953 the forty-fifth Hungarian vessel to be built in
Hungarian shipyards for the Soviets on the account of reparations was launched
in the Danube. For several months previously there had been a sus nii
reparation deliveries. RETUR IV MA
Danubian Flotillas UgH Y
4. " During mid-June 1953 the following vessels were observed on the Danube River:
17 June 1953 a large number of Bulgarian vessels were gathered near the
Danubian port of Russe (Roustchouk), at a point 502 Km up the Danube, near
the Bulgarian shore upstream from a little island in the river. The flotilla
consisted of 15 patrol boats (ttornaszad" in Hungarian), one troopship and one
large towing vessel. All the vessels wore fully manned and in a state of alert.
A edi l sq 89 Ag C P 43M0g04gR15!Lver flotilla
$s j
25X1A2g
Imports and Exports
C-1--rr,r,n- T /TTc r T'TPTAT L+ f1TTT V /=rMTnT rfltr iaaim m-,-r
 Approved For Releasd' 1
consisting of 15 boats and one troopship (bateau-caserne). The bateau-caserne
has a long hull and several large cabins to profide shelter for soldiers or
fresh-water sailors (sic). Such a vessel can accomodate up to 400 persons
with their equipment.
/Status of the Giurgiu _ Russe Bridge
5. "The actual status of construction on the bridge across the Danube between
Giurgiu (Rumanian shore) and Russe (Roustchouk - Bulgarian shore):
As of 17 June 1953, at a point 488 Km from the outlet of the Danube, where
1 the bridge has been d
u
6.
7.
n er construction since 1952, the large floating crane
( had again broken down and the work was temporarily suspended. The work
0
st s~t d
t
Q~ rs and off
will be left on the TISZA, BUDAPEST, SZEGED and DEBRECE
o
N. Since 19511thes
Naval Academy at Budapest has admitted mainly students whose "Social
origin" is '`pure' and "fitting". The maritime emphasis of their studies
is not very profound - little nautical science. The principal consideration
is their political reliability. In Spring 1953 the authorities started to
dismiss the old-time sailors who had been kept on to initiate novices of the
regime. They are being laid off as their vessels return to Budapest and
being replaced by novices. Thus, at the time of the TISZA's last home call
at Budapest in mid-June 1953, seven old-time sailors were dismissed from the
crew and replaced by seven new sailors. The same thing will happen with the
old-time sailors who remain on the other ships.
e a
the same time f bthh
romo sores. Five pylons have been construct-
ed out from the Rumanian shore, but without the arches, which, according to
the Danubian pilots, will be made of ion. Four pylons have been constructed
out from the Bulgarian shore - no iron arches. Due to the breakdown of the
floating crane, the work will probably take longer than ever. Furthermore,
the two Danubian banks showed no signs of marked activity; to the contrary,
construction on this bridge seemed to be suspended.
Changeover of Hungarian Crews
"The crews of the Hungarian merchant vessels on the Danube,-the Black Sea
and the Mediterranean are in the midst of a complege changeover. In two
or three months (after June 1953) few of the old-time '1
25X1X6
Approved For Release 1999/09/10 : CIA-RDP83-00423R000800300001-9