RECENT PROMOTIONS IN THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A006100330004-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 9, 2008
• Sequence Number: 4
• Publication Date: March 11, 1955
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2008/07/09: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006100330004-7
REPO RV MFORMA'NON REPORT
This material contains information affecting the National Defense of the United States within the meaning of the 3hpionage Laws, Title
18, U.B.C. Secs. 793 and 794, the transmission or revelation of which in any manner to an unauthorized person is prohibited by to
CENTRAL . rKITIELUGENCE AGENCY
SUBJECT Recent Promotions in the Council of
Ministers
DATE OP INFO.
REPORT
DATE DISTR. OAR - ~~
NO. OP PAGES 2 25X1
REQUIRERAENT NO. RD
REFERENCES
1. The promotions of A. I. Mikoyan, M. Z. Saburov, and M. G. Pervukhin to First
Deputy Chairmen of the Council of Ministers were dictated by the desire to make
A. P. Zavenyagin, V. A. Kucherenko, P. P. Lobanov, and M. V. Khrunichev Deputy
Ministers of the Council of Ministers. The first three, all members of the
Presidium of the Party, were raised to differentiate their level of importance
from that of the Deputy Ministers. This does not represent a ?payoff" to them
for any part they may have had in Malenkov's downfall. Rather, since they
are all extremely efficient economic organizers and executives, it would be
difficult to find replacements for them and Bulganin must depend upon them for
help in running the economic machine. Bulganin is broadening his administrative
base by promoting these men.
2. The four men made Deputy Chairmen of the Council of. Ministers were chosen by
Bulganin in conjunction with Khrushchev. zavenyagin, formerly in the'MVD and
probably in charge of the construction of atomic energy installations, will
take Beriya's place as head of the First Chief Directorate attached to the
Council of Ministers and will, in effect, run the atomic energy program,
Kucherenko may have been brought to Moscow by Khrushchev at the time the latter went
from the Ukraine to Moscow. Lobanov will probably have overall charge of
agricultural matters, thus making Benediktov, Kozlov, and Skvortsov subordinate
to him- Khrunichev will probably have overall charge of aviation and defense
industry matters.
3. The elevation of these men, in view of.their previous connections with Bulganin
and Khrushchev, strengthens the position of both leaders. The weakness of
Malenkov's position is indicated by the fact that he is the only member of the
Party Presidium concerned with economic matters who is not a First Deputy Chairman:
(Noto; Washington distribution Indieatod by "A"; Hold distribution by "#"?)1I
DON REPORT
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MF O nNi A U0 OO I Q C;
Approved For Release 2008/07/09: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006100330004-7
 Approved For Release 2008/07/09: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006100330004-7
On the other hand, pains were taken to elevate Mikoyan, Saburov, and Pervukhin,
perhaps so that they would not object to the bringing un of the other men by
Bulganin and Khrushchev. By the end of the ye,-.r, Malenkov's ministry will be
criticized for failures and Ma.lenkov himself will fide further and further
into the background.
S-E-C-R-3-T
-2-
4 Kaganovich is probably in charge of transportation matters, and at the same time
he is concerned with suuoly matters. Previously Ka.ganovich had been in charge
of Gossnab, the State Committee for. Material-Technical Sourly of the National
Economy, the function of which is to insure th.^t scarce materials are rronerly
allocated.
Comment. On 2 March 1955 Kozlov was relieved as Minister of
State Farms and was replaced by Benediktov.
Approved For Release 2008/07/09: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006100330004-7