SENATE SELECT COMMITTEE REQUEST (ARTICHOKE/ERGOT)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP83-01042R000800010007-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 8, 2003
• Sequence Number: 7
• Publication Date: August 20, 1975
• Content Type: MF

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2 0 AUG 1975
t 'AL 3 '4 .: 4 FOR: The Review Staff
Deputy Director for Administration
Senate Select Committee eq
(ARTICHOKE/ERGOT)
ereoce is made to a previous memorandum from
certaln docu amts from the Office of ec it
entitled R{GOT as requested by X r- iaxwell.
Select Committee Staff,
2. As indicated in reference, two of these c tac# tints
requested :y Mr. ell are Third Agency material. Three
copies of these two Third Agency documents are forwarded
herewith, consisting of one Department of State document
and one Department of Army document.
bert
ector a
Att
Addressee
D#/A w/o att
1 - D/Security w/o att
1 - OS Registry w/o att
1 - SAG w/att
11L n1 w/att
OS/PSI/SAG by (19 August 1975)
curity
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~y.'.Utttl~ lieru.:f f. 6A
Acting Chief, TG/SO
THIWU: Reports Control/SO
Acting Chief, Information Branch, SI.
19 January 1952
Shipment of Ergot of Rye or Phenol Crystals to Hungary. DA3 #1507
foferencet State Despatch., Antwerp #109, dated 19 September 1951
1. Attached for your inforration is a thermoprint of reference
despatch which we discussed a short time ago and which you agreed
to accept for action.
2. We request that, if possible, the material. that Eras shipped
be positively identified, i.e., was it actually ergot of rye, phenol
crystals or some other subdtance.
3. If it is ascertained that the material shipped was ergot,
the following information is requested:
a. original British source of the material.
b. Destination of the shipment in Rtutary.
c. Intended end use of the ergot in Hungary.
) . We "would also appreciate being informed of any cvidnnne
of accelerated movement of ergot from Western Europe to Iron Curtain
countries.
5. In reply., please refer to PAS 1-71507-
I
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S CREI
5 BJECf1Exce from Scientific Intelligence Digest
~
C No,
14
SOVIET BLOC ACQUISITION OF FIGOT AND EM OT DERtVATIVES MAY HAVE CW
SI(IN1FICAitiCEt
The Polish People are being urged by
radio to collect argot and send it
to the provincial ergot-buying officer
because "considerable quantities of
raw, unprocessed ergot are noedad in a certain chenical process."
CIA
9 Jul 52
Confidential
In other reports it has been statod
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1, The Soviets purchased from Sandoz,
a Swiss drug manufacturing co:rlpany in Basel. a sufficient quantity
of an ergot derivative for 50, 000, 000 normal. doE o$.
2. Portuguese agents have canvassed
Spain purchasing large amounts of ergot at very high prices for
shipnsnt behind the "Iron Curtain". throe t Portuguese ports.
3. Hungary purchased 35 tonss
ergot from Belgiuum through Centralinpex.
CVar:ent The subject infor- 25X1
nation, uthich is considered true,, plus repo s rom various other
dources of numerous large and sr all purchases of ergot and its
derivatives by the Satellites throughout the world, confirm the
notable interest of the Soviet Bloc in these substances. From ergot,
a fungus disease of rye, other cereals, and wild grasses, there is
obtained a valuable drug used for controlling hemoriaage, for
uterine contraction, and for nnnerbbus other important, medical-
purposes.
It is pointed out, however, that
ergot is also an effective rental confusion agent and has been con-
sidered:; therefore,, as a possible CW raterial, The above reports
strengthen the probability that the Sbviets are processing ergot
for military as well as medicinal purposes.
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FOR:
Coordination ___Q ,P ~.1J 7 J t
Filing
Carding
Information
FORM NO. 59-93
AUG 1953
r ATINTL
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TRANSMITTAL SLIP`
DATE
REMARKS:
FROPA:
BUILDING ROOM NO.
FORM 0.
SEP 1946 36 8
STATINTL
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