CIVIL DEFENSE IN THE USSR AND THE EUROPEAN SATELLITES 1953

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CIA-RDP79-01093A000600070003-3
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RIPPUB
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S
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19
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November 9, 2016
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January 8, 1999
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3
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September 24, 1954
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REPORT
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Approved For Release 1999/09/02 : CIA-RDP79-01093A000600070003-3 PROVISIONAL INTELLIGENCE REPORT CIVIL DEFENSE IN THE USSR AND THE EUROPEAN SATELLITES 1953 CIA/RR PR-75 24 September 1954 DO:7TNO. h .. D } ,7 i~ .......f.-111CM EVER CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND REPORTS Approved For Release 1999/09/02 : CIA-RDP79-01093A000600070003-3 16 -;2/ 93c// Approved For Release 1999/09/02 : CIA-RDP79-01093A000600070003-3 WARNING This material contains information affecting the National Defense of the United States within the meaning of the espionage laws, Title 18, USC, Secs. 793 and 794, the trans- mission or revelation of which in any manner to an unauthorized person is prohibited by law. Approved For Release 1999/09/02 : CIA-RDP79-01093A000600070003-3 Approved For Release 1999/09/02 CIA-RDP79-01093A000600070003-3 CONFIDENTIAL PROVISIONAL INTELLIGENCE REPORT CIVIL DEFENSE IN THE USSR AND THE EUROPEAN SATELLITES 1953 CIA/RR PR-75 (ORR Project 11.566) The data and conclusions contained in this report do not necessarily represent the final position of ORR and should be regarded as provisional only and subject to revision. Comments and data which may be available to the user are solicited. Office of Research and Reports Approved For Release 1999/09/02 : CIA-RDP79-01093A000600070003-3 Approved For Release 1999/09/02 : CIA-RDP79-01093A000600070003-3 S-E-C-R-E-T CONTENTS Summary, . . . . . . . . . ? ? 0 S ? ? ? . . . . . . Page I. Civil Defense in the USSR . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 II. Civil-Defense in the European Satellites . . . . 4 1. Albania 5 2. Bulgaria . 6 3. Czechoslovakia 6 Lt. East Germany . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 7 5. Hungary 8 6. Poland 8 7. Rumania . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Appendixes Appendix A. Glossary . . . . . ? ? ? ? . ? < . < < 9 Appendix B. Sources and Evaluation of Sources . . , 13 Following Page USSR: Civil Defense Training and Operation . . . . . S-E-C-R-E-T Approved For Release 1999/09/02 : CIA-RDP79-01093A000600070003-3 Approved For Release 1999/09/02 : CIA-RDP79-01093A000600070003-3 CIA/RR PR-75 S-E-C-R-E-T (ORR Project 41.566) - - - - - - CIVIL DEFENSE IN THE USSR AND THE EUROPEAN SATELLITES* 1953 Summa A well organized and extensive system of civil defense exists in the USSR. This system includes a permanent command and staff organi- zation, supplemented by numerous local organizations and nominally civilian groups. Its framework is built around two agencies pri- marily responsible for passive air defense: the DOSAAF (Voluntary Society for Cooperation with the Army, Air Force, and Navy), a paramilitary mass organization chiefly concerned with training, and the MPVO (Local Anti.r Defense),an arm of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD). Supporting organizations include the Red Cross and Had Crescent Societies, the Komsomol and Pioneer organizations, and the school systems, all of which contribute support or training in those fields in which they are competent. Although the post World War II period has brought restoration and further development.of the Soviet.economy the Russians have also been concerned with maintaining a high state of defense preparedness. During the past three years the USSR has gradually strengthened its civil defense organizations. More recently, administrative pressure has been utilized to increase "voluntary" enlistments in the DOSAAF. Reports of returning German prisoners of war indicate that air..raid shelters are required in new con- struction of apartments, industrial installations, and administra- tive buildings. The estimates and conclusions contained in this report represent the best judgment of the responsible analyst as of 10 July 19511. ** MPVO as used in this report refers to a sma,1.1 group of specialized MVD employees, who provide staff personnel, planning, and supervision at all levels of political administration. The great bulk of leadership and implementation in passive air defense is furnished by local govern- ment organs and civilian personnel. The latter are extensively organized into "self defense" groups in which all able-bodied adults are liable to serve. See Chart, following p. 2. Approved For Release 1999/09/02 : CIA-RDP79-01093A000600070003-3 Approved For Release 1999/09/02 : CIA-RDP79-01093A000600070003-3 S-E-C-R-E-T At the same time, interest in civil defense has quickened in the European Satellites. This increased interest is especially evident in Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, and Hungary where a pattern of activity is unfolding so similar to the Soviet model that the measures detected can hardly be regarded as the result of coincidence. DOSAAF-type organization, for example, exist in each Satellite (although at varying stages of development), The Red Cross Societies conduct first-aid courses, and local party and government bodies are urged to support civil defense training. Achievement badges and local "self-defense" groups, when detected, have been similar to those of the USSR. Dissimilarities are rare and can generally be attributed to a difficult political situation in a particular country or a lag in. development of some special program. Specific training for defense against atomic attack has not been detected outside of-military formations in the USSR. Possible air or chemical attacks usually have been discussed in terms of World War II conditions. Recently, information of the potential of atomic warfare has been gradually released to the public, chiefly in the military publication, Red Star. These discussions have been somewhat technical and calm, evidently slanted to avoid creating panic. Plans for anti- atomic measures are undoubtedly under consideration. It remains to be seen whether the USSR will retrain the civilian population in an evacuation pattern or attempt to persuade them that current training, organizations, and the use of cellar shelters are the proper defense against massive retaliation. Many of the measures used in defense against "conventional" bombing have some usefulness in reducing the effects of atomic attack. These include the dispersion of industry, protected storage, training of restoration crews, use of protected land lines and'radio links in communications, urban planning (including wide streets, parks, or other gaps for fire breaks), anti-epidemic measures and first-aid training, stockpiles of food and supplies, and the training and equipping of an effective fire- fighting organization. Efforts along most of these lines have been noted in the USSR. These should contribute to the ability of the country to withstand attack, maintain control, and restore economic facilities which are not entirely obliterated. There is, at present, no apparent urgency in the activities of Soviet and Satellite civil defense agencies. Steps to strengthen and integrate them, however, are obviously being intensified. Continuing observation-of the development of these activities may be significant in that they will reflect the Soviet appraisal of the need for and the anticipated use of a civil defense system. S-E-C-R-E-T Approved For Release 1999/09/02 : CIA-RDP79-01093A000600070003-3 Approved For Release 1999/09/02: CIA P79-01093A000600070003-3 7rLt2-.r: om i N = m d 0 OE 0 u ~ = o ? O c o?E U~gv`v N N .Nt 7 O EL 0 O C w C I- O 0.2 w E u RS c d d w 'o v .- c E , o u U c >~ ob ? u u?o'I- C u o i a? - ? f . c E c 2 2 t E - O . Oy - ao C r O C -C L . L 411' u- O E t6 ?OW?u~iu~ vi 3 L W 0 N Z D w Wa Ou EE- CL .S--O ~ Ju x= 2.2 z c TQO cC) O 4 m00 0 IL IL Approved For Release 1999/09/02 : CIA-RDP79-01093A000600070003-3 Approved For Release 1999/09/02 : CIA-RDP79-01093A000600070003-3 S-E-C-R-E-T I. Civil Defense in the USSR. Primary responsibility for passive air defense in the USSR has been entrusted to two agencies: the DOSAAF (Voluntary Society for Cooperation with the Army, Air Force, and Navy), a paramilitary mass training organi- zation, and the MPVO'' (Local Anti-Air Defense), an arm of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD). The Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies also have a major training role, particularly in the field of first aid. 1/** .Various mass organizations such as the Communist Party, Komsomol, an trade unions give support to the training program. The DOSAAF is responsible for disseminating military information to the public and preparing the population for all types of antiaircraft and antichemical defense. Membership in this organization, while technically voluntary, has nevertheless been built up recently under considerable pressure. The first All-Union Conference of the DOSAAF was held in December 1953. The press strongly urged Komsomol members to take part in DOSAAF affairs, and in January 1954 a Krai conference decision ordered an improvement in mass defense work in cooperation with the DOSAAF organizations. 2/ Trade unions have been sharply warned by Trud that they "are o'6liged to set up primary organizations of DOSAAF in every enterprise, in every institution and establishment of learning, in every state farm and machine tractor station." 3/ Total membership in the DOSAAF according to Soviet reports, has increased an "unsatisfactory"..8.3 percent since October 1951. The estimated membership in May 1952 was believed to be approximately 16 million.'5/ Although DOSAAF also has a major role in para- military training, it has placed increasing. emphasis on civil defense activities. The formation of antiaircraft and antichemical study circles has been made compulsory in primary organizations. When this decision was published in March 1952, it was stated that the purpose of such circles was to instruct the society and the population in civil defense. Manuals on civil defense as well as articles and films published by DOSAAF (1951-53) attest to the organization's increasing concern with this subject. f # is also used as a generic term to apply to all civil defense measures. ** Footnote references in arabic numerals are to sources listed in Appendix B. ;Y,FE The predecessor of DOSAAF in World War II claimed a membership of 15.5 million. Considering the efforts to enlist the full support of 18 million Komsomols and 30 million trade union members, a figure of 16 million seems reasonable. -3- S-E-C-R-E-T Approved For Release 1999/09/02 : CIA-RDP79-01093A000600070003-3 Approved For Release 1999/09/02 : CIA-RDP79-01093A000600070003-3 S-E-C-R-E-T Although reports on civil defense training have been meager, it is note- worthy that in November 1953 a DOSAAF periodical indicated that citizens who had passed "Ready for Anti-Air and Chemical Defense" requirements should be retrained every two years. Planning and supervision of measures for passive air defense is assigned to the Main Administration for Local Air Defense. f This MVD organization discharges the responsibility through a corps of staff personnel at various government levels particularly the city and regional, Although the responsibility for passive defense is technically vested in the leaders of local government, they are no doubt guided to a very large extent by these specialists in air defense plans and-training. The local air defense groups in factories, insti- tutions, and dwelling units are subordinate to the community MPVO. It is significant that there is increasing interest in the planning and implementation of the construction of air raid shelters, DOSAAF publications have carried instructions on the planning of air raid shelters. Scattered reports of shelter construction have been received periodically. Recently, a number of former German prisoners of war from the vicinity of Sverdlovsk and Stalingrad have been interrogated. Their reports are in substantial agreement on the point that air raid shelters are provided in new apartment buildings, in one and two family dwelling units, in schools, and in factories built since 1952. 10 The similarity between known plans and their description of air raid shelter construction is striking. These air raid shelters are constructed of reinforced concrete, are provided with double hermetically sealed doors, contain toilet facilities, and have multiple entrances and an anti-gas ventilating system. This type of construction conforms to a category of shelter con- struction, detected during World War II, which is supposed to withstand the complete collapse of the building. II. Civil Defense in the European Satellites.* Passive air defense in the Satellites is unfolding in a pattern very similar to that of the USSR. Currently the following organi- zations have been identified and bear some resemblance to DOSAAF-: *-Appendix A (Glossary) presents abbreviations- and English terms together with transliterated foreign title for both Satellite and Soviet organizations. - I - S-E-C-R-E-T Approved For Release 1999/09/02 : CIA-RDP79-01093A000600070003-3 Approved For Release 1999/09/02 : CIA-RDP79-01093A000600070003-3 S-E-C-R-E-T Albania ShNUM Society for Aid to the Army and Defense Bulgaria DOSO Voluntary organization for Assistance to De- fense Czechoslovakia SVAZARM Union for Cooperation with the Army East Germany GST Athletic and Tech- nical Association Hungary MSzHSz Freedom Fighters Association Poland LPZ League of Soldiers' Fiends Rumania AVPTCF Volunteer Association for Technical Propa- ganda and Physical Culture Up to the present time, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, and Hungary have led in known preparations for air defense, including training courses, fire prevention activities, and shelter construction. Intelligence gappirather than the absence of defense preparations may be the explana- tion for the seemingly lesser activity in the other Satellites. Generally, known defense operations follow a definite Soviet pattern which emphasizes shelter construction. and defense training in indus- trial plants, institutions, and schools. Support of the responsible organizations is usually provided through the Party, the Communist youth organization, and the trade unions. In comparing the measures taken in the USSR and the Satellites, it is noteworthy that many of the firmer reports show distinct parallels in organizational struc- ture and measures taken. 1. Albania. Little is known of passive air defense in Albania. The existence of the civil defense organization ShNUM (Society for Aid to the Army and Defense) indicates a parallel to the Soviet DOSAAF. 11/ In a radio broadcast intercepted on 26 February 1954 the Albanian Red Cross acknowledged its close relationship with the Soviet Red Cross and Red Crescent as well as with the Red Cross associations of the other Satellites. 12/ - 5 - S-E-C-R-E-T Approved For Release 1999/09/02 : CIA-RDP79-01093A000600070003-3 Approved For Release 1999/09/02 : CIA-RDP79-01093A000600070003-3 S-E-C-R-E-T 2. Bulgaria. In Bulgaria, reports attest to the size and activity of the DOSO (Voluntary Organization for Assistance to Defense), which was created in January 1951. 13 Its organization, aims, and responsi- bilities are revealed to be closely modeled after the DOSAAF in the USSR. 14 The first president of the Central Committee of the DOSO was General Ivan Kinov, a major general in the Soviet Army, although a. Bulgarian by birth. In 1952 the responsibility for the direction was given to Major General Dobri Terpeshev. General Kinov, however, has maintained an active interest in the organization, having addressed the Plenum of the Central Committee of DOSO in ].L November 1953. 15/ The Bulgarian publication, Otchestven Front, reported that the main objective of the DOSO was to teach garian youth to be "boundlessly loyal to the USSR, and trained in revolutionary vigilance and pre- paredness for war in accordance with the heroic tradition of the Soviet organization DOSAAF." 16 Medical defense courses, anti-air and chemical defense courses, and an organization called "Ready for Work and Defense" have been identified in Bulgaria. 17/ These relate directly to such Soviet terms as GSO (Ready for Medical Defense), PVKhO (Anti-Air and Chemical Defense), and GTO (Ready for Labor and Defense). The Red Cross has an active part in the medical defense training and claimed 560,000 members at the beginning of 1953. The Sofia Red Cross reported that the blood donors' plan, and the plan for Ready for Medical Defense badge bearers were overfulfilled in 1953. LB/ 3. Czechoslovakia. The organization of civil defense activities appears to be progressing rapidly in Czechoslovakia. The SVAZARM (Union for Co- operation with the Army) is engaged in civil defense training and paramilitary operations. 19/ It has several hundred thousand members and is headed by Lieutenant General Cenek Hruska. 20/ General Hruska is apparently in high favor since he holds office as Deputy Minister of Defense. He has recently been honored by election to the Central Committee of the Czechoslovakian Communist Party and decorated with the Badge of Honor of the Union in recognition of his work for SVAZARM. 21 In addition to clearing World War II air-raid shelters in Czechoslovakia, some new'construction has been in progress. A technically competent source has indicated that he worked on Class II shelter designs which were very similar in capability to Soviet shelters of the second category during World War II. In construction, they follow the - 6 - S-E-C-R-E-T Approved For Release 1999/09/02 : CIA-RDP79-01093A000600070003-3 Approved For Release 1999/09/02 : CIA-RDP79-01093A000600070003-3 S-E-C-R-E-T general scheme of those reported from the USSR. These shelters are being built in plants and factories. L2/ Although a formal body such as the Soviet MPVO (MVD) has not been identified, it was at least fore- shadowed at a recent conference when it was noted that civil defense workers continually request assistance from a "central source." The newspaper report goes on to say that this assistance will be given to aid in planning and directing activities. 23/ The Red Cross is also included in the civil defense effort. A medal for PCO (Prepared for Civil Defense) is awarded to citizens who successfully complete the required course. It is apparently compulsory for one. member of each family to take first aid training. I.G. East Germany. In East Germany the GST (Athletic and Technical Association) has not yet been identified with civil defense training. It has been reported, however, that second secretary Kreutzburg demanded that all The 2irst secre- training activities follow the DOSAAF pattern. 2 tary of GST is a KVP (Garrisoned People's Police general, Arno Berthold. 25/ The Red Cross in East Germany, although not *ecifi- cally linke C to civil defense, is presumably engaged in first aid and health training. It is controlled by the Ministry of Health. L6/ 5. Hung sy. Because of the scarcity of information it cannot be established that MSzHSz (Freedom Fighters' Association) in Hungary is fully com- parable to similar organizations in Bulgaria or Czechoslovakia and that its members are a thoroughly trained as those in the latter groups. Activity detected is paramilitary with a general scope similar to basic training. 27/ Recruiting is supported by the DISZ (Federation of Working Youth), as DOSAAF is supported by the Komsomol. 28/ A civil defense manual for general distribution has appeared in Hungary. 29/ The level of air-raid preparation is considered to be relatively high, the type of instruction being given the population is very similar to that disseminated by DOSAAF in the USSR. Air raid shelters according to instructions are to be provided with water-tight and gas-proof doors, similar to those appearing in the USSR. In addition, instruc- tion in civil defense activities is included in the school programs. LO/ First aid courses have been a part of compulsory training and it was announced recently in Budapest that an intercommunication system had been installed which connects the National First Aid Center with S-E-C-R-E-T Approved For Release 1999/09/02 : CIA-RDP79-01093A000600070003-3 Approved For Release 1999/09/02 : CIA-RDP79-01093A000600070003-3 S-E-C-R-E-T district first aid stations. This system was admittedly copied from a similar installation in Moscow, 31 Such independent communication would contribute to medical civil defense potential. 6. Poland. In Poland the LPZ (League of Soldiers' Friends) is headed by Brigadier Josef Turski. It is responsible for the dissemination of defense information to the general public and has reported it will profit in its work from the "rich experience of DOSAAF." 32 The Polish Red Cross is active and claims to have completed 300,000 first aid courses in a single year. At present, it claims a membership of over 2 million. 33/ The prevention of fires and fire fighting have recently been stressed to the population. 7. Rumania. On 5 October 1952 a decree was passed in Rumania authorizing the formation and expansion of AVPTCF (Volunteer Association for Technical Propaganda and Physical Culture). In the spring of 1953 the decree was implemented by calling into active service approximately 3,000 reserve officers who were assigned to the AVPTCF for an indefinite tour of duty. The reported purpose of this action was to compensate for the reduction in the overall strength of the Army due to the release of the class of 1931. Little is known about the activities of the AVPTCF other than that its success was greater than anticipated by the Rumanian government. It participated reportedly in the May Day parade and in the Liberation Day parade of 23 August 1953. Women have been enlisted in communal work applicable to civil defense. In Bucharest, more than 2,000 were helping in hospitals and over 1,000 were attending the "Ready for Health Defense" courses in March of this year. 35 S-E-C-R-E-T Approved For Release 1999/09/02 : CIA-RDP79-01093A000600070003-3 Approved For Release 1999/09/02 : CIA-RDP79-01093A000600070003-3 S-E-C-R-E-T APPENDIX A GLOSSARY Abbreviation USSR DOSAAF Bulgaria Voluntary Society for Cooperation With the Army, Air Force, and Navy (Dobrovolnoye Obshchestvo Sodeystviya Armii Aviatsii-i Floto) Ready for Medical Defense (Gotov k Sanitarnoy Oborone) Ready for Labor and Defense (Gotov k Trudu i Oborone) Main Administration for Local Anti- air Defense (Glavnoye Upravleniye Mestnoy Protivovozdushnoy Oboroni) Local Anti-Air Defense (Mestnaya Protivovozdushaya Oborona) Anti-Air and Chemical Defense (Protivovozdushnaya i Protivokhimi- che skaya Oborona) Union of. the Societies of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (Soyuz Obshchestov Krasnogo Kresta i Krasnogo Polumesyatsa) Society for Aid to the Army and Defense (Shogeria per Ndihme Ushtrisa Dhe Mbrojtje) Albanian Red Cross (Kruq i Kuq se Shiquerise) Voluntary Organization for Assistance to Defense (Dobrovolnata Organitzatsia za Sadeya na Otbrana) S-E-C-R-E-T Approved For Release 1999/09/02 : CIA-RDP79-01093A000600070003-3 Approved For Release 1999/09/02 : CIA-RDP79-01093A000600070003-3 Abbreviation Bulgaria continued) Czechoslovakia CO CSCK East Germany GST KVP Hungary DISZ MSzHSz Poland LPZ PCK Rumania S-E-C-R-E-T Bulgarian Red Cross (Bulgarski Cherven Krust) Civil Defense (Civilni: Obrana) Czechoslovak Red Cross (Ceskoslovensky Cerveny Kriz) Prepared for Civil Defense (Pripraven k Civilni Obrana) Union for Cooperation With the Army (Svaz Spoluprace s Armadou) Athletic and Technical Association (Gesellsehaft fur Sport and Technik) Garrisoned People's Police (Kasernierte Volkspolizei) Federation of Working Youth (Dolgozo Ifjusag Szoevetseg) Freedom Fighters' Association (Magyar Szabadsagharcos Szoevetseg) Hungarian Red Cross (Magyar Voros Kereszt) League of Soldiers' Friends (Liga Przyjaciol Zolnierza) Polish Red Cross (Polski Czerwony Krzyz) Volunteer Association for Technical - 10 - S-E-C-R-E-T Approved For Release 1999/09/02 : CIA-RDP79-01093A000600070003-3 Approved For Release 1999/09/02 : CIA-RDP79-01093A000600070003-3 Abbreviation Rumania con- ued) S-E-C-R-E-T Propaganda and Physical Culture (Associatia Poluntara Pentru Propaganda Technica si Cultara Fizica) Ready for Work and Defense of the Rumanian Peoples' Republic (Gata Pentru Munca si Apararea Republicii Populare Romane) S-E-C-R-E-T Approved For Release 1999/09/02 : CIA-RDP79-01093A000600070003-3 Approved For Release 1999/09/02 : CIA-RDP79-01093A000600070003-3 S-E-C-R-E-T APPENDIX B SOURCES AND EVALUATION OF SOURCES 1. Evaluation of Sources. Sources used in this report include a captured document, translated Soviet anti-air defense manuals o en periodicals and radio broadcasts, 25M41-1-prisoner-of-war interrogations, The USSR has apparently placed the same security restrictions on information on civil defense activities as on military information. This action is not unusual, because civil defense is regarded as an arm of military defense as well as protection for the general public. Generally published instructions or broadcast information were rela- tively. easy to obtain. In addition, interrogation of defectors and returned prisoners of war provided significant pieces of information, permitting a logical amount of speculation. 2. Sources. Evaluations, following the classification entry and designated "Eval.," have the following significance: Source of Information Information Doc. - Documentary 1 - Confirmed by other sources A - Completely reliable 2 - Probably true B Usually reliable 3 - Possibly true C - Fairly reliable 4 - Doubtful D - Not usually reliable 5 - Probably false E Not reliable F - Cannot be Judged 6 - Cannot be judged '*Documentary" refers to original documents of foreign governments and organizations; copies or translations of such documents by a staff officer; or information extracted from such documents by a staff officer, all of which may carry the field evaluation "Documentary." Evaluations not otherwise designated are those appearing on the cited document; those designated "RR" are by the author of this report. No "RR" evaluation is given when the author agrees with the evaluation on the cited document. - 13 - S-E-C-R-E-T Approved For Release 1999/09/02 : CIA-RDP79-01093A000600070003-3 25X1A2g L Approved For Release 1999/09/02 : CIA-RDP79-01093A000600070003-3 Next 1 Page(s) In Document Exempt Approved For Release 1999/09/02 : CIA-RDP79-01093A000600070003-3 Approved For Release 1999/09/02 : CIA-RDP79-0,1093A000600070003-3 SECRET CONEDENTRA16 SECRET Approved For Release 1999/09/02 : CIA-RDP79-01093A000600070003-3