RUMOR OF NEW MONETARY REFORM USED TO REVIVE BULGARIAN ECONOMY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A000100470012-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 3, 2009
• Sequence Number: 12
• Publication Date: February 19, 1953
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2009/02/03: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA000100470012-9
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
INFORMATION REPORT
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.
SECRET/CONTROL - U.S. OFFICIALS ONLY
SECURITY INFORMATION
Bulgaria
SUBJECT Rumor of New Monetary Reform
Used to Revive Bulgarian Economy
REPORT 25X1
DATE DISTR. 19 February 1953
NO. OF PAGES
REQUIREMENT NO. RD
REFERENCES
THE SOURCE EVALUATIONS IN THIS REPORT ARE DEFINITIVE.
THE APPRAISAL Of CONTENT IS TENTATIVE.
(FOR KEY SEE REVERSE)
1, In order to revive the Bulgarian economy from the depression which followed the
monetary reform of May 1952, the Bulgarian Communist Party (sic) spread a rumor
to encourage popular buying. The rumor was that there was shortly to be yet
another monetary reform, under which the existing money would be replaced by
Soviet rubles which would be valid for one month only. Rubles not spent during
the month of their validity would be invalid during succeeding months.
2, Although this rumor never materialized into fact, it had its intended effect on
the Bulgarian population. Everybody who had a little money put aside, rushed to
buy merchandise and exchange their savings for goods. As the year 1952 closed,
the trick had fully succeeded. The State stores had done a bigger business in
December than in all the rest of the year and the people had been stripped of
their savings. However, internal commerce was, momentarily, rescued from the
depression into which it fell after the monetary reform of May 1952.
SECRET/CONTROL - U.S. OFFICIALS ONLY
I X INAVY x IAIR = FBI AEC
STATE ARMY
(Noiei Washington Distribution Indkatd By "X") Fuld Distribution By "#".)
25 YEAR RE-rA'
pproved For Release 2009/02/03: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA000100470012-9