PRODUCTION OF PYROCATECHOL AT THE STALIN WORKS IN HORNILITVINOV

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82-00457R005600160003-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: November 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 17, 2000
• Sequence Number: 3
• Publication Date: September 6, 1950
• Content Type: REPORT

# l~,fi IT1~A 1ON SLCF ~l/CUia: i L - U,< ? c.1?ICIJ L; c1~ar,Y 25X1 A
Approved For R291 ' '` x'82-004 0
(t ?U ET1 Y Czechoslovakia
25X1A
1.:'WECT Production of Pyrocatechol at the Stalin
Works in Hcmi Litvinov
P i.0kCE
ACQUIRED
WE OF
W'70.
/'/
DATE DJSrR 6
SSP 50
NO. OF PAGES
1
NO. OF ENCLS..
UJSTED BELOW)
SUPPLEMENT TO
25X1 X REPORT NO
1 111 The Soviet authorities first pressed for the delivery of pyrocatechol at
the trade negotiations between the USSR and Czechoslovakia in Moscow during
the second half of 1947. The management of the Stalin Works at Horni Litvinov
(N51/Fl3) promised to start production by the end of 1947 but could not
actually start until the summer of 1945. The quotas for 1948 mere not fulfilled
and the Soviets brought strong pressure to bear on the Czech government for
ino eased production and efficiency,
2., A mutual agreement was then reached between the Soviets and Czechs, whereby
the latter could deliver in 1949 pyrocatechol to a value of 350,000,000 kcs
(7,9000,000). At the inflated export price of 150 - 170 kcs per kg, this
would amount to approximately 2,000 tons.
3. During the summer of 1949 Soviet interests in the delivery of pyrocatechol
appeared to lessen and,, according to preliminary inquiries in Moscow by the
Czech commercial representatives, the Soviets did not include the material
in the lists stipulated for delivery in 1950. The Czech authorities believed
at that time that the Soviets would forbid the export of pyrocateohol to the
West on the grounds that it was a basic czar material, In the absence of Soviet
orders and with the imposition by the Russians of a veto on the export of
pyrocatechol to the West, the Czechs intended to stop production,
This document is hereby regraded to
CONFIDENTIAL in accordance with the
letter of 16 October 1978 from the
Director of Central Intelligence to the
Archivist of the United States.
Next Review Date: 2008
CONFIDENTIAL
T/CCi TROL - U.S. OFFICIALS ONLY
CONFIDENTIAL
Approved For Release 2000/05/18 : CIA-RDP82-00457R005600160003-4