POLITICAL NOTES AND GENERAL OBSERVATIONS ON THE USSR

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A004000060009-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 5, 2009
• Sequence Number: 9
• Publication Date: April 27, 1954
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2009/06/05: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA004000060009-2
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
INFORMATION REPORT
OSR
DATE DISTR.
27 April 1954
NO. OF PAGES 2
REQUIREMENT NO. RD
REFERENCES
THE SOURCE EVALUATIONS IN THIS REPORT ARE DEFINITIVE.
THE APPRAISAL OF CONTENT IS TENTATIVE.
(FOR KEY SEE REVERSE)
1. After the death of Stalin there were rumors that the "Jews" had poisoned
him in December 1952 and that the Jewish doctors were pardoned because of
"Jewish" press e from abroad. anti-Semitism in the
TISSR is strop
2. 24alenkov is not popular in the USSR. The most popular man in the Soviet
Union today is Zhukov. Relations between the Army and the MVD are tense
and are growing worsen MVD personnel feel the animosity of the people and
are no longer as self-confident as they formerly were. The people are on
the side of the Army. several displays of public boycott
of the MVD. In a Moscow restaurant during dinner two,. such ineident:v;-
were noted; People having dinner were joined by sera]. uniformed MVD men;
the civilian diners either stopped eating and left or hurriedly finished
their meal and then left. Another incident occurred at another table when
an MVD man sat down at a table with two civilians. The civilians finished
their first course, and then moved to another table for the next course. In
Karaganda (N 49-50, E 73-10) MVD men do not appear on the streets alone after
dark; they always walk in groups of four to six.
3. Many Party members speak freely. They comp). in and make anti-Semitic
statements. Some of them fear the future. 'They fear higher authority and
feel that they will have to answer for everything. All agree that the USSR
is governed by 2,000 to 3,000 men.
4. Discipline in the Soviet Army is weak. There are many instances of disobedience
and excessive drinking. Howeve the Army will eventually
gain supreme power in the USSR; this may come about before a war starts, but
surely immediately following the outbreak of'war.
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This Document contains information affecting the Na-
tional Defense of the United States, within the mean-
ing of Title 18. Sections 793 and 794. of the U.S. Code, as
amended. Its transmission or revelation of its contents
to or receipt by an unauthorized person Is prohibited
by law. The reproduction of this form is prohibited.
S CRET/CONTROL - US OFFICIALS ONLY
REPORT
Political Notes and General
Observations on the USSR
Approved For Release 2009/06/05: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA004000060009-2
 Approved For Release 2009/06/05: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA004000060009-2
SECRET/CONTROL - US OFFICIALS OR1!` 25X1
Most unskilled work in the USSR is done by women, who receive from 200 to 250
rubles per month. By way of comparison., a chauffeur receives 600 rubles per
month. Jobs at such a pay level, however, are not plentiful.
in Chelyabinsk (N 55-10, E 61-24) streetcars which had been removed from
Dresden, Germany, are used.
r 17 Tune 1953 in Gvardeysk (N' 5)4..-39, E 21-05,) a group awaiting transportation
r,o zermany was fired on and three persons were killed,
SECRET/'ONTROL US OFFICIALS ONLY
Approved For Release 2009/06/05: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA004000060009-2