THE CITY OF RIGA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A004300700002-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 13
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 17, 2002
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: October 22, 1954
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2005/11/22 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA004300700002-5
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
INFORMATION REPORT
COUNTRY USSR (Latvian SSR)
SUBJECT The City of Riga
25X1
This material contains Information affecting the Na-
tional Defense of the United States within the mean-
ing of the Espionage Laws, Title 18, U.S.C. Secs. 793
and 79?, the transmission or revelation of which In
any manner to an u4authorized person is prohibited
by law.
REPORT NO.
DATE DISTR.
NO. OF PAGES
REQUIREMENT NO.
REFERENCES
25X1
22 October 1954
25X1
Population
1, The population of Riga is about 1,000,000, The number of Latvians, however,
has decreased because of the people who have fled to Germany, the deportations
in 1943 and 1949, and the fact that Latvians returning from Siberia and from
Western countries are not allowed to settle in Riga. There has been an in-
crease in the population because of the great number of Russians who have come
to the city. On the streets, one hears more Russian than Latvian. The center
of town and the best residential areas, such as Meza parks, are inhabited mostly
by Russians. In contrast to the period just after the war, the Russians are now
better dressed than the Latvians.
2. Barn s :r:a and female drunks-are seen on the streets. There are often fights
among them and many robberies. These offenses increased after the amnesty given
by Beriya following Stalin's death, and about SO percent of the amnestied con-
victs were rearrested and sent to labor camps.
3. Repatriates who have returned from Germany, former deportees who have been
released, former members of Latvian military forces, and all those who are not
Soviet citizens are restricted from living in the cities of Riga, Liepaja,
Ventspils, and Jelgava.
Postwar Changes
4. The monuments to the writer Blaumanis and to Janis Cakste do not exist any-
more. The latter disappeared several years ago. The Liberty Monument is the
same; it has the same inscription, ''Tevzemei un Brivibai", but its base has hcei
narrowed to facilitate the movement of street traffic. On the corner of Lenin;.
and Kirova ielas, there is a statue of Lenin. The statue faces the east, With
its back to the Liberty Monument. The people say, "Lenin will not sta lon,
with us; he is already looking eastward for escape". ;;O;,,O
monuments have been removed from the War Cemetery (Bra u kapi).
STATE X ARMY
NAVY X AIR X FBI AEC
25X1
25X1
(NOTE: Washington distribution indicated by "X"; Fidd distribution by "#".)
Approved For Release 2005/11/22 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA004300700002-5
 Approved For Release 2005/11/22 : CIA-RDP80-00810A004300700002-5
SECRET
-2-
5. In general, there has not been much change in the appearance of the build-
ings and streets. Ruins are cleared away, and gardens are laid out on the
sites. Two new skyscrapers are under construction. One, on Maskavas iela,
is to be the House of the Kolkhoz Farmers. Nine of its 16 stories have
been built. The other, with 30 stories, is to be built on the site of the
former chemical faculty of the university. As yet, only the foundations
have been laid.
6. All the street names are in Latvian; but office designations are in Russian
and Latvian, and sometimes only in Russian. The following is a list of
some of the street name changes:
Old Name
Aiszargu iela
Reimersa iela
Fureckera iela
Valdemara iela
Antonijas iela
Eksplanade
11 Novembra bulvaris
Kalpaka bulvaris
Aspazijas bulvaris
Ganibu dambis and Plkv. Brieza iela
Vermana parks
Doma laukums
New Name
Sarkanarmijas iela
Komunaru iela
Sudrabu Edzus iela
Maksima Gorkija iela
Leona Paegles iela
Komunaru laukums
Komjauniesu krasts
Komunaru bulvaris
Padomju bulvaris
Sverdlova iela
Kirova parks
17 Junija laukums
Theaters and Movie Theaters
7. The following movie theaters still exist in Riga: Splendid Palace on
Kirova iela, Aina on Valnu iela, Daile on Kr. Barona iela, and the Teika
on Zemitana laukums. Source does not remember the Parks, the Maska, or
the Forums, although they may exist under new names. The former AT Movie
Theater is now a dance hail, and where the Palladium used to be on Suvorova
iela there are now warehouses.
E. The Opera is now the Theater of Opera and Ballet, and the fountain in front
of it still functions. The National Theater is now the Drama Theater, but
the Arts (Dailes) Theater is called by that name. These three are Latvian
theaters, and Latvian singers sing in them. Source remembers seeing the
names of the singers Pakule, Vilumanis, and Brechman-Stengele. The opera
ballet school is now at Zirgu iela, in the "Cat House", a building with the
figure of a cat on its roof.
9. There is a new theater, the Musical Comedy Theater, which gives performances
on'Lenina iela, approximately where the Kazino Movie Theater used to be, and
also in Kirova parks, in the building of the former Parks Movie Theater. The
German Theater on the corner of Keninu and Lenina ielas is now a Russian
theater.
Shops, Marketsand Restaurants
10. There is a newsstand at the corner of Lenina iela and Padomju bulvaris, in
the same kiosk where there was a newsstand before the war. It is near the
big clock, which was formerly known as Vedkalna Pulkstenis. The clock is
near a former candy shop which is now an information office.
11. The Luna Cafe is at its prewar location on the corner of Lenina iela and
Padomju bulvaris. There is a cafe in the passage on Kalku fela where the
AT Movie Theater used to be, on the left as you enter the passage. The
theater has been replaced by a dance hall.
25X1
Approved For Release 2005/11/22 : CIA-RDP80-00810A004300700002-5
 Approved For Release 2005/11/22 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA004300700002-5
-3-
D
12. The former Kukurs stationery and book store is at its old location on
Padomju bulvaris, though the name may have changed. The bookstore,
formerly known as Valters un Rapa, located opposite the opera, is now
the VAPP book publishing house. The department store APV (Armijas
Dkonomiskais Veikals) is still a department store, but is now called RUV
(Riggs Universal Veikals). The building was not damaged in the war.
13. The Gunnar Haagensen automobile store, formerly the representative of the
Ford Motor Company, is still on the northwest corner of Kirova and JMIaksima
Gorkija ielas. People have to wait so long to get a car that they often
25X1
14. The Central Market has been somewhat rearranged and there is no longer a
fish hall. The Vidzemes and Agenskalna markets are functioning. The
secondhand market has been moved. The Central and Vidzemes markets are in
operation daily.
Religion
25X1 15, the church,
25X1 is subject to economic pressures. In Riga, the Lutheran
cathedral, called Maras Baznica or Doma Baznica, is open for services, as
are the various Catholic churches and the Orthodox church on Lenina iela.
25X1 16. the Adventist Church in Riga is
25X1 iegaIly recognized the Soviets, not only in Latvia, but all over the
25X1
Soviet Union. Adventist parishes in Odessa, Kharkov, Kiev,
and also in the aucasus an beria, There &s an All-Union management of
the church in Moscow. In Riga,the Adventist Church is a large building on
the south side of Vilandes iela. Its leader is Colders (fnu).
Prices and Availability of Goods
17. Prices did not change very much from 1950 to 1953. After Stalin's death,
sugar was no longer in short :supply. In Riga,it is extremely difficult to
get canned and smoked fish; all the produce of the canneries is probably
sent to Russia. Otherwise, everything is available. Sometimes an item is
not in the shops, but there are never any shortages in the markets.
18. One item always hard to obtain, is picture postcards with views of the cities
and countryside. These cost 50 kopeks, but usually the postcards are sold
out as soon as they appear in the shops.
25X1 I I one must have authorization uv cane pictures or an scapes and
towns.
25X1 19.
prices in Riga and Cesis as of 1953:
Item and Quantity
1 liter milk
1 kg butter
1 kg rye bread (rupjmaize)
1 kg sweet-sour bread?(saldska~a maize)
1 purs potatoes (market price)
1 kg macaroni
1 kg apples (available only at markets, not
1 kg bacon
1 kg sausage
1 kg smoked fish (strimalas)
1 kg smoked fish (mencas)
2 kg fresh fish, pike (lidaka)
1 chocolate bar
Price in Rubles
2.00
30.00
1.50
2.00
30.00 - 35.00
5.00
shops) 7.00 - 10.00
30.00 - 60.00
18.00 - 36.00
5.90
4.90
15.00
22.00
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
Approved For Release 2005/11/22 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA004300700002-5
 Approved For Release 2005/11/22 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA004300700002-5
-4-
b. It was forbidden to sell carp and tench, probably because these fish
are raised in ponds and delivered to the State.
j liter liquor (snabis)
1 bottle wine
50 g tea, from Georgia
1 kg coffee
24.00
30.00
3,00 - 4.00
30.00 -35.00
25X1
25X1 d. items such as liquor, tobacco, coffee, and tea are
comparatively cheap because they are produced within the USSR. Latvian
Aldaris beer is available, both dark and light.
e. Textiles and Clothing
1 m silk, from China 90.00
1 m cotton, Soviet-made 25,00
1 pr men's shoes, average quality 400.00
1 pr women's shoes, average quality 200.00 - 250.00
1 man's suit, good quality 800.00 - 1,000.00
1 man's hat 100.00
1 trenchcoat 200,04
f. In addition to the silk from a materials from 25X1
25X1 Rumania and Hungary. general, housing, luxury
goods, and travel are re a ve c~eap, w e food and clothing are very
expensive. Housing, though cheap, is hard to find because of the many
Soviet offices which have moved into Latvia and Army units which are
billeted in the towns and cities.
Currren cy
20. Since.the currency reform in 1948, there have been no changes in the bank
notes or coins. The following currency denominations are in current use
in Latvia: One, two, five, ten, 15,and 20-kopek coins; one, three, five,
ten, 25, 50, and 100-ruble notes.
Communications
21. The main post office is no longer in the building near the opera house. It
is now located on the corner of Lenina iela and Kalpaka bulvaris in the build-
ing that once housed Feitelberg's store (Feitelberga Name).
22. The telephone exchange has not moved1 it is still in the Old City. There is
an automatic switchboard, and the telephone numbers contain five dig s.
There are public telephone booths in the city, one 25X1
25X1 is located on a corner opposite e former buil g of
e main post office, near the opera. There are also some booths along the
river on Komjaunatnes krastmala. A three-minute call from a public booth costs
15 kopeks. There are no telephone books in the booths. To find a number, one
must ask at the telephone office or go to the information office in the kiosk
on the corner of Lenina iela and Padomju bulvaris. Because of the information
service, a call there costs one ruble.
23. From Riga, one can, by dialing a certain combination of figures, call directly
to Rigas Jurmala. There are many public telephone booths in Rigas Jurmala.
One of these is located at the former Bulduru Kazino, which is now a sanitarium.
Here, also, a call costs 15 kopeks.
Press
24. The building of the prewar newspaper, Jau aka: ZZ a_, is no longer used by the
Approved For Release 2005/11/22 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA004300700002-5
 Approved For Release 2005/11/22 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA004300700002-5
-5-
press. The printing office of the newspaper, Cina, is on Blaumana iela. The
Latvian State Printing Press has been taken over by the State typographical
works.
Streetcar System
25. Since the end of the war, various changes have taken place in the streetcar
system in Riga. There is no more ring line, tracks no longer run from the
pontoon bridge toward the castle, and route numbers have been changed. There
were more changes after 1951. There is no turn around the former building of
the main post office and Radio iela; the streetcars pass on to the Central
Market and turn there. There are no tracks on Maksima Gorkija iela (former
Valdemara iela) from the Drama Theater toward Kalpaka bulvaris and along
Kalpaka bulvaris toward Sverdlova iela (formerly Pulkv. Brieza iela). Instead,
there'are tracks along Kronvalda bulvaris to Eksporta iela, along Petersalas
iela to Ganibu dambis (now also called Sverdlova iela), and from there along
the old route to Sarkandaugava. The streetcar line makes a turn from Kronvalda
bulvaris around Maksima Gorkija iela, Citadeles iela, Muitas iela, and
Noliktavas iela. Further along Maksima Gorkija iela, there are no rails toward.
the bridge; butin the summer of 1953, people were working on the streets be-
tween the castle and the pontoon bridge. Streetcar tracks are probably going
to be put all along the river again, and Kronvalda bulvaris will be connected
with the pontoon bridge along Maksima Gorkija iela and Komjaunatnes krastmala.
26. During the seasons when the pontoon bridge is out, the streetcars from
Pardaugava go along Slokas iela to the new bridge beginning at Balasta d.aribis.
There the passengers get out and walk across the new bridge, which is of wood
construction. The bridge on the site of the former Zemgales Bridge is for
railroad traffic only.
27. The following are numbers and routes of specific streetcar lines:
a. No. 1: From the VEF Factory (its old terminal), along the Vidzemes soseja
to the bridge over the railroad tracks, then a new route along Kr. Barona
iela to Fadomju bulvaris, along 13 Janvara iela or Centraltirgus iela
(source is not sure which it is) to the river, and along the route of
former line No. 9 to Ilgeciems.
b. No. 2: From Brasla (the old terminal) along Miera Iola and Karlines iela
to Lenina iela, across this street to Revolucijas iela (former Matisa iela),
along Revolucijas iela to Kr. Barona iela,and then the same route as No. 1
to the pontoon bridge and on the route of the former No. 8 to Zasulauks.
c. No. 3: From the Keramiska Factory along Maskavas iela, the Central Market,
Suvorova iela (former Marijas iela) to the former Red Cross Hospital, and
further to F'ernavas iela, along Pernavas iela, to Kr. Barona iela, and then
to the V'EF.
d. No. 4: This is the same route as No. 3 but only goes as far as the Red
Cross Hospital. Source is not sure of the itinerary of this line.
e. No. 5: From the Keramiska Factory along Maskavas iela to the viaduct under
the railroad, tracks, then along 13 Janvara iela to Padomju bulvaris, and
along this to the Drama Theater, and along Kronvalda bulvaris to Eksporta
iela, Petersalas iela, Ganibu dambis to Sarkandaugava.
f. No. 6: From the technical high school on Maksima Gorkija iela, along 2;aksima
Gorkija iela to Padomju bulvaris to Kr. Barona iela, along Kr. Barona iela to
the VEF Factory, and to Jugla. In Jugla the line goes beyond Smerlis, quite
close to the bridge. Source believes that the line runs all the way from the
viaduct to Jugla along Vidzemes soseja.
No. 7: From the Children's Hospital (Bernu slimnica) along the route of the
former No. 7, across the pontoon bridge to Komjaunatnes krastmala, 13
Janvara iela, Padomju bulvaris, and further on the same route as No. 5 to
25X1
Approved For Release 2005/11/22 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA004300700002-5
 Approved For Release 2005/11/22 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA004300700002-5
-6-
Sarkardaugava.
25X1 h, No. 11: From Brasla to Meza Parks the route). I
-2~
i. No. 3,3: From Sarkandaugava to Filgravis. This line may start at the
Central Market.
28. The appearance of the streetcars is much the same as before the war. Many of
the conductors are now women. The fare is 30 kopeks for any distance on.the
same line. Smoking is allowed anywhere on the cars. There are strict regu-
lations regarding entering and leaving the streetcars. People must get on by
the rear entrance and leave from the front.
Trolle.ybus Lines
29. There are several trolleybus lines in Riga where there were streetcar lines
before the war. One of these is along Lenina iela, One trolleybus line runs
from Lauvas iela near Matisa kapi, to the area behind the freight station. The
trolleybuses are yellow, and the fare is 20, 30, or 50 kopeks, depending on the
distance. The conductors sell tickets in the same way and wear the same
uniforms as the streetcar conductors.
Local Buses
30. There are several local bus lines running from the auto-osta to the more distant
suburbs. These buses go to Bolderaja (round trip costs two or three rubles),
Baltezers (buses run every half hour), Balozi, and Milgravis.
Taxis
31. Taxis are usually gray Pobedy, with a checkered strip separating the bddy of
the car from the top. There are taxis parked at the main railroad station, at
the Mazais Vermanes parks restaurant, and elsewhere. 'The regular fare in the
city is two rubles per kilometer. For certain routes, such as Riga = Majori
and return, the fare is only one ruble per kilometer.
River Transportation
32. Boats no longer go from the place near the pontoon bridge where there used to
be piers. The river front is now fenced off. There are piers near the Central
Market,, upstream from the pontoon bridge and the two railroad bridges. From
here boats go to Bolderaja, Zakusala, and probably to other places. The boats
to Bolderaja are small steam boats which were brought from Moscow after the
war. They are so low that they can go under all the bridges on the way to
Bolderaja. Only small steam boats and row boats can go to Zakusala now; it is
no longer accessible from the bridge. In winter,,when the ice is strong enough,
people can walk to it; but later,'when the ice first breaks up, the island is
sometimes cut off for a while. At the place on Balasta dambis where the local
steamer to Agenskalns used to stop, there is now a sign reading''River Fleet
Station"(Upju Flotes Stacija),
Interurban'Buses
33. :All the interurban buses run from the auto osta, which is opposite the building
of the former Prefektura where Pragas iela goes under the railroad tracks to
13 Janvara iela. From Riga to Cesis,there is a bus in the afternoon and one in
the morning. One'of these runs Riga - Cesis - Valmiera - Mazsalaca, and the
other Riga - Cesis - Valmiera - Rujiena. A one-way trip to Cesis costs 18 rubles.
Buses also go to Ainazi, Aluksne, Ape, Bauska, Jelgava, Liepaja, Smiltene, and
probably to many other places.
SECRET
25X1
25X1
Approved For Release 2005/11/22 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA004300700002-5
 Approved For Release 2005/11/22 : CIA-RDP80-00810A004300700002-5
,SECRET
-7-
34.
Railroad Stations
The two main railroad stations in Riga are at their prewar locations, but
their internal structure has been somewhat altered. These two stations are
Riga I or Daugavpils Station and Tukuma Station also known as Jurmalas
Station. E__ I
For the layout of the stations, see the sketch on
Pd90 14,
35. There is no luggage office in the hall of the Jurmalas Station; instead, there
is a big waiting room with benches. In the Daugavpils Station, there is no
ticket office, but tickets for both stations are bought in the Jurmalas Station.
However, for really long trips one must go to the ticket office on Suvorova
iela. From the Jurmalas Station, tickets can be bought going west to all points
in Latvia, including Liepaja, if one has a certificate to enter that city. Going
east, the last place to which one can buy a ticket from Jurmalas Station, is
either Valmiera or Strenci.
36. The long-distance travellers bureau is on Suvorova iela. Here one can buy tick-
ets to any place in the Soviet Union. There are two offices, one for military
travellers and the other for civilians. Both offices have the same entrance.
37. There is another travellers' bureau on the corner of Lenina and Skunu ielas. It
is the sort of travel bureau one sees in Western countries, where one can get
tickets ahead of time, sleepers, and reservations.
38. Luggage is taken now only at an office on Suvorova iela. This is probably where
the old freight office used to be.
39. In the Daugavpils Station there is a waiting hall especially for people who have
to wait between trains. Only people with tickets.going beyond Riga are allowed
into this hall. These through tickets are checked at an office in the station.
This check is known as kompostresana (sic). The waiting room is on the second
fioor,where there used to be offices. Also on the second floor of the Daugav-
pils Station, there are transient billets. Any traveller may sleep there as
long as there is sufficient space.
40. There are no information booths in the stations, though it is possible sometimes
to ask an official in a ticket booth. The information office is on the corner
of Lenina iela and Padomju bulvaris. People pay 20 to 30 kopeks for information.
41. Otherwise, the stations are much the same as they were before the war. There are
still restaurants on either side of the main entrance of Daugavpils Station. The
one to the right as me goes in the station is of a higher class than the other.
There is a buffet in the Jurmalas Station near the entrance from Gogola iela.
There is a railroad militia office in the Daugavpils Station. Militiamen from
this station patrol in the Jurmalas Station also. There are timetables above
the entrances to the tracks and also separate sheets with departures and arrivals.
Timetable books can be purctiased for the main through lines, but for really
detailed information one must go to the information bureau on the corner of Lenina
iela and Padomju bulvaris. All the timetables are in Russian.
Rail Lines
42. The line going west from Riga to Rigas Jurmala, Tukums, and Ventspils is electric
as far as Kemeri. Railroad bridges are guarded, but the only bridge which source
remembers seeing really carefully guarded is the one over the Lielupe at Prie-
daine on Rigas Jurmala. With sufficient money it is never difficult to get food
on a train. The conductor sees that there is boiled water in each train car, and
it is always available at railroad stations. There are also buffets in all the
stations, and in Russia proper there are usually women selling chickens for 20 to
30 rubles.
25X1
Approved For Release 2005/11/22 : CIA-RDP80-00810A004300700002-5
 Approved For Release 2005/11/22 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA004300700002-5
25X1
43. The best train to Moscow is that leaving Riga shortly before midnight and
arriving in Moscow before 1000 hours the next day, Altogether,there are three
pairs of slow trains and two pairs of rapid trains making the round trip Riga-
Moscow. daily. The additional cost for a rapid train is 60 to 70 rubles. A
single, one-way ticket to Moscow from Riga costs 100 rubles. For 20 rubles
more, the traveller can have a place to lie down, which entitles him to a
shelf where he can sleep during the night. Bedding, which can be obtained from
the conductor, costs 10 rubles. Thus, a round trip Moscow - Riga costs 260
rubles. Such a trip on a rapid train costs 360 rubles. There are also sleeping
cars which require that one have a second-class ticket. This more expensive 25X1
class costs 200 rubles one-way, plus 100 rubles for the sleeper, so the round
trip costs 600 rubles.
44.
Ur Transportation
25X1 45. a airport Spilve
25X1 25X1
=~Iauch bigger !there are many 25X1
an barracks around it. he trip by air from Riga 25X1
to Moscow costs 600 rubles. Therv are guar flights to Moscow, Leningrad,
and Tallinn, and probably to other cities. There used to be regular
trips to several places in Latvia; but there were not enough passengers, so
many of them, such as the one to Tilsi, were discontinued. The airfield is also
used by military planes, There are no international flights.
R oads and yrid;yes
46. The roads Riga - Moscow and Riga - Leningrad are all paved and in good condi-
tion. All bridges have been repaired and carry any weight, even though many of
them are made of wood. There is a new wooden bridge over the Gauja at Murjani
which is guarded by employees of the road supervising office. There are other
bridges over the Gauja at Sigulda and Ranka, where the old bridges were blown
up. The latter is of wooden construction, near the cardboard factory, and near
a dam which is used to supply electric power. The bridge in Cesis is in good
repair.
47. Traffic.in the town uses the new'bridge at Makeima Gorkija iela and the
pontoon bridge. The bridge at Milgravis, a combined rail and vehicle bridge,
is new and on the site of the old one,. For several years there was an
auxiliary,brid'e below the present one,?
Highway Transportation
25X148. only one filling station in Latvia. This 25X1
on ze highway Riga - Cesis at Ropazi, near the army barracks, where the road
to Suntazi turns off. The gasoline is pumped by hand in five-liter units. One
liter costs two rubles, or one ruble if a person has a special ticket from some
enterprise. Gas can'be bought on the road from truck drivers for 50 to 80 kopeks
a liter.
Approved For Release 2005/11122 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA004300700002-5
 Approved For Release 2005/11/22 : CIA-RDP80-00810A004300700002-5
-9-
49. Truck drivers are allowed to pick up hitchhikers but have to carry them in the
cabin of the truck. Otherwise, if caught, the drivers are fined ten rubles by
the auto inspekcija. The auto inspek eiia militia is responsible for traffic
regulations and safety. There is;another group, Latautotek (this may stand for
Latvijas Automobilu Techniska Inspekcija),,which has no connection with the
militia and has economic control of truck traffic. There is a Latautotek check
point near the bridge at Jugla. Here trucks are checked, usually going out of
Riga, to see that they are sufficiently loaded. If not, they can be ordered to
take on more cargo. There are similar Latautotek control points on the four
roads leading out of Cesis.
50.. In Riga, there are four auto bazes, which are pools from which trucks are sent
out on long distance trips. These are numbered. Autobaze No. 1 is at?the
Vidzemes Market on Terbatas iela, behind Revolucijas iela, Another is in the
Moscow Suburb near Dagdasiela, and a third is in Pardaugava.
a. LO, LR for the Latvian SSR
b. SR, RR for the Estonian SSR
c. LT for the Lithuanian SSR
d. LA, LG, LD for Leningrad
e. MA, MO for Moscow
Important-Personalities
52. Kirchensteins (fnu) is no longer'the chairman of the Presidium of the Latvian SSR.
He has returned to his job at the university and is doing scientific work. The
position is now held by Ozolins (fnu); his deputy is a woman called Auguste (fnu).
The chairman of the Council of Ministers is still Vilis Lacis. the
name Kalnberzins (f nu)connected with the Party. The Minister of Foreign Affairs
is a Latvian with the surname Ostrovs.(fnu). The deputy director of the political
directorate of this ministry is a Jewish woman, Hercberg (fiiu)..
Important Build ors
53. The Supreme Soviet of the Latvian SSR is in the building of the former Saeima
(parliament), People entering this building must take off their coats and
leave them, along with any briefcases, pockettooks,etc., with the checkroom
attendant, before being admitted to see anyone. There are no military guards,
but a militiaman stands near the building.
54. The Council of Ministers is in the old Palace of Justice (Tiesu Pils). The
entrance to the office of the chairman is on Kirova iela. There are still courts
in this building, including the Supreme Court of the Latvian SSR. The entrance
to the courts is from Lenina iela, Connected with.this building is the building
of the former District Court (Apgabal Tiesa), which now houses the District (sic)
Court of Riga. This building is on the corner of Lenina iela and Terbatas iela,
opposite Kirova parks.
55. The headquarters of the Latvian Communist Party is in the building of the former
Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Maksima Gorkija iela, The present Ministry of
Foreign Affairs is now in the building of the former Soviet Embassy at Leona
SMRET
25X1
25X1
25X1
Approved For Release 2005/11/22 : CIA-RDP80-00810A004300700002-5
 Approved For Release 2005/11/22 : CIA-RDP80-00810A004300700002-5
SECRET
-10-
25X1
Paegles iela 2. The Ministry of Education is also at Leona Paegles iela 2.
The former building of the Ministry of Education, on Maksima Gorkija iela,
is used for some other purpose.
56. The headquarters of the Soviet Army and that of the MVD field troops are in
the building of the former War Ministry on the corner of Maksima Gorkija and
Kirova ielas. The building has been repaired and painted a light color.
Soldiers guard the entrances, On the opposite corner, where there used to be
a building, there is now an-open park area,
57. The City Executive Committee is in a building on the corner of Raina bulvaris
and Reimersa iela (probably now called Komunaru iela),'which contained the
office of the city mayor before the war. The Finance Ministry is now occupied
by the Latvian Academy of Sciences.
58. The building at Slokas iela 1 is still an institution of some sort, but is no
longer the Red Cross Hospital. The German Gymnastics Society (Vingrotaju
25X1 Biedriba on Vin rotaju iela is still a gymnasium 25X1
59. Radio Riga is located in the building of the former Credit Bank. One of the
towers near the old building has been demolished.
MVD and NGB
60. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Latvian SSR is in a well-known building
on the corner of Lenina and Fr. Engelsa ielas. The MGB used to have offices in
the building of the former Ministry of Agriculture, between Kalpaka bulvaris
and Raina bulvaris which faces Reimersa iela. It is not known what became of
these offices with the reorganization of the two ministries. Adjacent to this
building, is the Chief Directorate of Militia (Galvena Milici as Parvalde
The address of this office is Ra n
a colonel in the
militia, Krastins (fnu). There is another important militia office in the
building of the former Prefektura at Suvorova iela 20. per-
haps the former is the chief directorate for the whole o Latvia, while the
latter is the chief directorate for Riga.
61. The headquarters of the MVD field troops (cekas karaspeks) is in the building
of the former War Ministry on Maksima Gorkija ie].a. There are also some MVD
offices in the former German Embassy.
62. Militia districts are mostly in the same place as the former police precincts.
There is one militia district headquarters where the second police precinct
used to be on Kalpaka bulvaris, between Maksima Gorkija iela and the former
Ministry of Agriculture. The headquarters of the border guards is at
Strelnieku iela 13.
63. Following is a list of the various kinds of MVD units seen in Riga, with their
distinguishing epaulets:
a. Militia with regular police functions - blue epaulets
b. Prison guards - blue epaulets with a red rim
c. Regular MVD troops - red epaulets with a blue rim
d. Border guards - green epaulets with a dark green rim and a green cap
e. Harbor militia - blue epaulets with a yellow rim
64. The harbor militia guard the port area around the Andrejosta and the Eksport-
osta from Vasingtona laukums (old name, new one unknown) to Pilumuizas gravis,
and the port area in Milgravis from the oil factory to the new bridge over the
SECRET
25X1
25X1
25X1
Approved For Release 2005/11/22 : CIA-RDP80-00810A004300700002-5
 Approved For Release 2005/11/22 : CIA-RDP80-00810A004300700002-5
25X1
25X1
barracks o this division are near ug a, north of the highway from Cesis, east
of the textile mills (former Ri as Audums). In the summe division has a
summer camp at Saulkrasti, the length of 25X1
military service is two years the infantry., three years for the marines four
years forAhe armored forces (tanks), and five years for the air force. 25X1
25X1 I uin some services the term is six or seven years.
66. In addition to the barracks of the Latvian division, there are barracks of some
other Army unit at the Krusta Baznica.
67. The headquarters of a Soviet Army unit
-
I is in the former Latvian War Ministry at the corner of
25X1 F
rova an Maksima Gorkija ielas. This Army headquarters was in a building near
the river in the Old City until its present building was repaired.
68. There is a military school near the Powder Tower (Pulvertornis),where there was
an officers' school in 1940-1941 on Torna iela. This is believed to be a Navy
school. There is a similar school in the former main post office building. The
War Museum in the Powder Tower is now used by some military unit, possibly the
Navy school. There is an officers' club on the same premises where the officers'
club of the Latvian Army was before the war.
25X1
Milgravis. The port areas are fenced in.
Armed Forces
65. The first Latvians were drafted into the Soviet Army in 194 or 1949. Since
then,conscription has taken place regularly each year. Most Latvians are sent
to Russia, but some serve in a Latvian division in Ri a 25X1
Comments
1. A purs is an old Latvian measurement equivalent to two bushels.
2. Janis Kalnberzins is the first secretary of the Central Committee of the
Latvian Communist Party.
25X1
Approved For Release 2005/11/22 : CIA-RDP80-00810A004300700002-5
 Approved For Release 2005/11/ A RDP80-0081OA004300700
Legend to the Layout of the Jurmalas and Daugavpils Railroad Stations:
7
A. Hall of the Jurmalas Station
B. Dead-end street between the two stations
C. Hall of the Daugavpils Station
D. Way to the luggage office and the long-distance ticket office on Suvorova vela
1. Tracks
2. Access to the tracks from the hall of the Jurmalas Station
3. Entrances to the Jurmalas Station
4. Ticket booths. Tickets can be purchased from the street and from the hall.
5. Entrance from Gogola ela
6. Restaurant
7. Main entrance to the hall of the Daugavpils Station
8. Entrances to the barber shop from the street and from the hall
9. Higher class restaurant, Underneath it is the kitchen.
10. Lower class restaurant.
11. Stairs leading up to the transient billets
1.2. Stairs leading up to the waiting room for travellers holding through tickets
13. Post O'fice
14. Ticket booth where tickets of through travellers are checked
15. Railroad militia office
16. Newsstand
17. Access to tracks
25X1
25X1
Approved For Release 2005/11/22 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA004300700002-5
 Approved For Release 2005/11/22 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA004300700002-5
SECRET
-a.3
The Layout of the
Jurmalas and Daugavpils
Railroad Stations
14
I- T. the Eo9t
qe4
25X1
Approved For Release 2005/11/22 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA004300700002-5