REORGANIZATION OF CZECH SECURITY ORGANS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00809A000600040371-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 20, 2011
• Sequence Number: 371
• Publication Date: August 10, 1953
• Content Type: REPORT

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/07/21: CIA-RDP80-00809A000600040371-6
PLACE
ACQUIRED
DATE
ACQUIRED
DATE OF I
INFORMATION REPORT
CLASSIFICATION SEC t
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY REPORT NO
COUNTRY Czechoslovakia DATE DISTR./a/ Aug 1953
SUBJECT Reorganization of Czech Security NO. OF PAGES Z
Organs
.. ,N ...... ? ........ t..'. .',..
NO. OF ENCLS.
(LISTED BELOW)
SUPPLEMENT TO
REPORT NO.
THIS IS UNEVALJATED INFORMATION
25X1
25X1
25X1
1. In May 1950 the STB (State Security Corps), SNB (National Security Corps) and
the LM (People's Militia) in Czechoslovakia were reorganized. When the existing
reg-~me found that it could not suppress resistance and the underground movement
zechoslovakis, it decided to create an armed force of Communist sympathizers,
centralized under the new Ministry of National Security, to combat it.
2. The new Ministry of National Security was created in May 1950 with headquarters
in Prague. It incorporates all units of the STB, SNB, LM, SVS (Corps of Prison
cards) and the PS (Border Guard). Slovakia did not receive the customary
.:ounterpart of the Ministry, under the usual heading of Commission, but rather
all activities are centered in Prague.
3. The former Departments of the Ministry of Interior, combined with the Commission
for Interior, such as Department III, came under the ,jurisdiction of the Minis-
try of National Security, headed by Gen Karol Racilele. Another overall change
took place when the STB was decentralized and instead of a few large headquarters
scattered in big communitieo an STB headquarters was set up at the seat of each
Kraj National Committee (QV). Similarly, reliable STB members were placed with
every Okres N ional Committee (OHV) and to work as security referents. Okras
STB membes are usually chosen from the of the people of the area in ques-
tions /so as to. be lugs conspicuous (7 This means that the former Department
III of the Slovak Commission for the Interior, came under the jurisdiction of
the Ministry-of National Security (following a suitable purge or "re-examination")
and has nothing left in common with affairs of the interior. Each kraj, okres
and even small locality now has an STB post, complete with security referents
(these people are simple, neophyte Party members, who act as informers).
4. On duty, the STB members are plain clothes men who dress according to custom and
special needs of the particular area in which they wish to find information and
remain inconspicuous. The STB also makes use of laymen as agents; they bring
reports and follow and observe, mostly covertly, predesignated persons.
5. The STB is distributed approximately as follows:
(a) Ministry of National Security - Prague
(b) Main Headquarters in Prague; in Slovakia the main headquarters are in the
('a'
old garrison building in the Leopoldov prison at Bratislava.
j headquarters at the seat of every XNV (Braj National committee)
Okras headq...:: to a
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/07/21: CIA-RDP80-00809A000600040371-6
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/07/21: CIA-RDP80-00809A000600040371-6
- 2 -
(e) Security referents in each MNV (Local National Committee).
(f) Security referents in factory, enterprise, office etc.
6. Similarly the SNB, which has been placed under the sole jurisdiction of the new
Ministry of NaticnAl Security, has been reorganized and the following departments
created:
(a) External defense
(b) Internal security
(c) Border guard
(d) People's Militia
The Internal security department includes all former police forces and the Corps of
Prison Guards; the People's Militia are armed units, attached to the Ministry of
National Security. When she components and units were transferred from the Ministry
of Interior, many older members were dismissed or transferred to industry, etc. They
are being replaced by the regime by new persons who have undergone suitable re-educa-
tion and who seem to be more reliable in the eyes of the rulers.
7. The SNB was divided into its various departments for reasons liz?ed below, which
are approximations:
(a) Department I - External defense, prot cts and guards Czechoslovakia from an in-
flux of foreign intelligence agents L zpravodajskv agent could also be foreign
news correspondents (? , and to carry out ruroi security measures. The depart-
ment guards labor and concentration camps which bold political prisoners, and
important enterprises.
(b) Department II - Internal security, maintains order, directs traffic, assists at
various political celebrations, etc.
(e) Department III - Border guard,. is-composed of special units, stationed at the
border. They are armed-with special weapons and trained dogs. As reinforce-
ments, they may call upon units of the army, trained in special camps for this
purpose.
8. The number of SNB members is some three times as great as it was before World War II.
-There is constant recruiting of new members, but selection.is quite restricted. Only
persons who are Communists, y be considered for membership the SNB;, they most
be recommended by the ESC Ooseaunist Party of Czechoslovaks and undergo political
schooling before they are even enlisted'into the service. Only then do they receive
their military training. The results of their pre-enlistment political education,
determine whether they are fit for the STB or the SNB. The STB cooperates closely
with toe SMO and The KNVs, and they assist in various cases, which require armed
guards to be present.
9. Relatively new methods, following the Soviet example, are being introduced within the
Ministry of National Security. For example: members of the STB are not supposed to
know each other, or recognise each other, except by number. One spies on the other
and they matially follow each other. They are not permitted'to gain an insight into
the secret service. The STB is the executive erg of the KSC, which governs the entire
service through the Security Commissariat; known as Bespeenostni Konisariat or under
the abbreviation BK-8. This department is attached to the An aecreteriSt of the
Communist ratty and its members are leading representatives of the Party. The Chair-
mm of the BK -8 is normally th3 commander of the STB. There is the ever pprreesent
So iet'mseber of the NLVD, who acts as organiser and whose decisions are final. The
BE-?8 does not appear in lic,:it?is not listed anywhere as an office, although it
'direct the entire STB L S