MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION ON IASI

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80T00246A051800380001-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 13
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 11, 2010
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: December 14, 1959
• Content Type: REPORT

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INFORMATION REPORT INFORMATION REPORT
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
This material contains information affecting the National Defense of the United States within the meaning of the Fapionsge Laws, Title
18, U.S.C. Secs. 793 and 794, the transmission or revelation of which in any manner to an unauthorized person is prohibited by law.
S--C-R-E-T
SUBJECT Miscellaneous Information on
Iasi
DATE OF
INFO.
PLACE &
DATE ACQ.
DATE DISTR. 714 December 1959
NO. PAGES
REFERENCES
EVALUATIONS ARE DEFINITIVE. APPRAISAL
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Iasi has bten declared an overpopulated town and any person wishing to
settle there permanently has to obtain a special permit from the pro-
vincial council. Such permits are issued to persons who are transferred
to Iasi irr)connection with their work or for the purpose of the re-
unification of families. In the latter case the relatives of the
applicant have to provide him with living quarters.
2. The following are changes of street names effected since the end of!
World War II:
1. Iasi is a province (Regiune) capital of about 200,000 inhabitants.
Unlike Bucharest, it is not divided into administrative districts.
Former name Present name
Lapusneau Street
Bulevardul Carol
Ca Lea Regina Maria
Lascar Catargi Street
Vasile Conta Street
Muzelor Street
Sarariei Street
I.C. Bratianu Street
Marzescu (or N.rescu) Street
Capitan Paun Street
First named Republicei Street, but
in October 1958, former name was
reinstated.
Calea 23 August
I.C. Frimu Street
Karl Marx Street
Friedrich Engels Street
Nicolae Balcescu Street
Inginer Ada Marinescu Street
G. Dimitrov Street
Dobrogeanu Gherea Street
Roza Luxenburg Street
X (ARMY X NAVY A I .R
(Not,: Washington distribution indicated by "X", Field distribution by "#"
NFORMATION REPORT
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AEC
INFORMATION REPORT
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Nemteasca Street
Palatului Street
Socola Street
Nicolina Street
Sf. Lazar Street
Rosetti Street
Ghica Voda Street
Cucu Street
Aron Voda Street
Bulevardul Ferdinand
Negruzzi Street
Lozonski Street
Fundac Lozonski
Victor Place
Bulevardul Bratianu
Bulevardul Rosetti
Albinet Street
Tautu Street
Regimentul 13 Street
Colonel Langa Street
Carp Street
Piata Unirei
3?
Lapusneanu Street is regarded as
shops, the following are located theres
a. Hotel Victoria (formerly Hotel Palace), No. 1 Lapusneanu Street. A
four-story building, it is one of the largest buildings in Iasi. It
houses a restaurant on the groundfloor. There is one other small hotel
in Iasi.
Karl Liebknecht Street
Maresal Malinovski Street
Dr. C.I. Parhon Street
Ilie Pintilie Street
7 Noembrie Street
8 Martie Street or 6 Martie Street
Dr. Gelerter Street
Haia Lifschitz Street
Lazar Grinberg Street
Bulevardul 30 Decembrie or
Filimon Sirbu Street
Filimon Sirbu Street or Soseaua
Filimon Sirbu
Horia Street
Closca Street
Crisan Street
Gabriel Peru
Bulevardul Tudor Vladindrescu
Ion Niculi Street
Pavel Tcacenko Street
Silvestru Street
Maks Weksler Street
Flamura Rosie Street
Renamed Piata Republicei, but in
October 1958 the former name was
reinstated.
Copu Street
the main street of Iasi. Apart from numerous
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b. Two cinemas:
1) Maxim Gorky (formerly Trianon) with 800 seats at No. 8 or No. 10.
2) Cinematograf Tineretului (formerly Roxy) with 600 seats at No. 16
or No. 18.
c. The municipal museum, located between the two above-mentioned cinemas,
is housed in the former Ion Alexandru Cuza Palace.
d. The Provincial Party Club occupies a two-story building at No. 13
Lapusneanu Street. The groundfloor houses a ticket agency for advance
sale of cinema and theater tickets.
e. The telephone exchange, at the corner of Lapusneanu and Banu Streets, is
a two or three-story building similar to that of the Bucharest telephone
exchange. The equipment is in the cellar and the second floor; the top
floor contains a radio relay station (no details available). The first
floor contains seven booths for long-distance calls and two booths for
local calls. The booths for local calls are also used for long-distance
calls in the evening and night hours. The telephones in Iasi are auto-
matic; the numbers consist of four digits beginning with "1" or "2".
f. The building of the former Jockey Club, a one-story building with large
floor space on Lapusneanu Street, is located at the corner of Engels
and 23 August Streets. It now houses various organizations such as the
Rumanian-Soviet Friendship League (ARIUS), the Society for the Dissemi-
nation of Science and Culture (SBSC), the Union of Engineers and
Technicians and the Medical Association*
g. The former Royal Palace, opposite the Jockey Club, now houses the
central library of Iasi University.
h. The Provincial Construction Agency, which was formerly attached to
Sovromconstructie, occupies a building with an odd street number near
the end of Lapusneanu Street.
Stefan Cel Mare Street, which is the finest and broadest street in Iasi,
has the following prominent buildings:
a. The former Palatul Roznovanu (approximately street number 51) has
housed the Provincial Council since 1956, Until that year the building
was occupied by the Military District Command which was subsequently
transferred to Cluj. In the middle of October 1958, a large fire broke
out in the building. It destroyed the office of the personnel section,
the State ControllerK4,two of the archives rooms and the registry
section. The fire brute out simultaneously at all four corners of the
building at 0100 hours and lasted for two days. (The results of the
ensuing investigation are not known).
b. The next building on the street (i.e. approximate street number 53) is
are large three story structure that houses Party organizations in-
cluding the Provincial Committee and the Provincial and Town Committees
of the Union of Communist Youth (UTM).
co The only branch at Iasi of the State Bank is located at No. 57 or No.
59. The Agricultural Bank is located at No. )0 (approximate) Stefan
Cel Mare Street. There is a third bank in Iasi, the Credit and Invest-
ment Bank, which is located on Vasile Alexandrie Street, corner of
Cuza Voda Street.
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d. The largest department store in Iasi is located next to the State Bank,
e. Not far from the department store (approximately number 67 or 69) there
is the Puskin Cinema (formerly Scala), with about 1450 seats.
5. Cuza Voda Street, also among the main thoroughfares of Iasi, is lined with
shops on both sides. Prominent buildings on this street are:
a. The main post and telegraph office located at No. 5 or No. 7. It occupies
a two-story building which formerly housed the Banca Moldova. There are
two branch post offices: one at the central railway station (Gara Iasi),
and the other in the town quarter popularly known as Tataras.
b. Several four-story apartment houses for post and telegraph workers are
under construction opposite the main post office.
c. The former "Notre Dame Institute", corner of Dobrogeanu Gherea Street,
now houses a students' hostel, secondary schools for music and plastic
arts and an auditorium.
d. The National Theater and Opera are in a joint building opposite the
former"Notre Dame Institute".
6. The municipal market is located on G. Dimitrov Street at the corner of
Nicolae Balcescu Street. At the same location is the Central Hospital for
Adults (formerly the Spitalul Sf. Spiridon), which serves as a university
clinic and has been considerably enlarged in the past years.
7. The Medical and Pharmaceutical College is located on Universitati Street,
near the above-mentioned hospital.
8. The Plastic Arts Section of the Rumanian Academy of Science is situated at
No 5 or No. 7 Filimon Sarbu Street. The large "M hai Sadoveanu" Secondary
School (formerly Liceul National) is located opposite the building.
9. The Iasi Municipal Council is housed in the pre-war municipality building
on Vasile Alexandrie Street.
10,
The Palace of Culture in the former Palatul Administrativ on Maresal
Malinovski Street houses ;he following institutions:
a. Offices of Flacara Iasului, the province paper (the printing house
is in the former dmmin stratia Financiara building on Stefan Cel Mare
Street, corner of Cuza Voda Street).
b. Writers? Union
c. Artists' Union
d. Offices of Iasul Literar, a literary monthly.
e. Museum of the Plastic Arts.
U. The Province and Town Police headquarters as well as Securitate head-
quarters have, since the summer of 1957, shared a new three-story building
on Ing. Ada Marinescu Street, near Calea 23 August. Entrance of the police
offices is from Inge Ada Marinescu Street and to Securitate headquarters
from a small lane on the opposite side. The pre-war police headquarters on
Vasile Alexandrie Street is now occupied by a polygraphic works called
Intreprindere Poligrafica No. 2 Iasi.
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12. The municipal fire brigade station is situated between Karl Marx and Asache
Streets. There was no such installation before World War II. The high
watch tower of the station affords a good view of the entire town.
13. Until the summer of 1957, Iasi was supplied with drinking water by means of
an old pipeline from Timisesti. The quantity of water was insufficient and
the town suffered from severe shortages. The laying of a new main, 17
kilometers long, from the Prut River was completed at the afore-mentioned
time and since then the water supply has been abundant. The pumping station
of the new pipeline, Santiere Alimentarei Cuapa, is situated at the village
of Holboca.
14. The provincial radio station is situated on Karl Marx Street in a three-
story building opposite Paladi Street, on the right-hand side when coming
from the center of town. Work on the station was completed some time be-
tween 1956 and early 1958. It is on the air once a day from 6 p.m. to
7 p.m. broadcasting on medium waves of 261 m. It mainly relays broadcasts
of Radio Bucharest.
15. The most;'important industrial plant of Iasi is the Febrica Chimica No. 2,
an antibiotic factory opened in 1956. It is not situated in Iasi proper,,
but on a hill close to Valea Lupului railway station on the Iasi-Pascani
line and to the left of the road to Roman. It can be seen well from the
outskirts of Iasi, i.e* from Bariera Pacurari, exactly seven kilometers from
the plant. Its chimneys, the highest of which is of red bricks, are a con-
spicuous landmark. The plant extends over a large plot, enclosed by a wall
1.5 meters high and made of prefabricated concrete slabs. The plant em-
ploys about 2,000 workers. In January 1958, the plant was operating in four
production halls of similar design: groundfloor structures of 30 by 10 meters
floor space with sloping roofs. Three or four other halls of the same type
were then under construction. The administration building has been placed
at a considerable distance from the production halls.
16. The largest industrial plant at Iasi is the Atelierele Ilie Pintilie
(formerly Atelierele C.F.R. Nicolina), a locomotive and railway truck re-
pair works. It extends over a whole town quarter, from Cara Nicolina to
Strada Dr. C.I. Parhon, the gate being on the last-mentioned street. The
plant, which employs 3,000 to 5,000 workers, is also said to manufacture
-railway trucks which are, among other things, exported to Bulgaria, In
September 1958, a large fire broke out in the raw materials warehouse at
the plant. The damage causecVby the fire was estimated at 5 to 7 million
lei. In addition to this, losses were incurred as a result of the ensuing
lack of raw materials.
17. Three plants of the cotton industry are known to operate at Iasi, all
dating from before World War Its
a. The "Tessatura" spinning and weaving mill on Dr. C.I. Parhon Street
with about 3,000 workers. Until about 1949, the mill was only engaged
in weaving; then it started spinning as well.
b. The "Victoria" spinning and weaving mill on Vasile Lupu Street, with
about 2,000 workers.
c. The "Textila Rosie" mill in Targusorul Copou quarters, two streetcar
stops from the Gradina Copou.municipal park. It has about 1,000
employees.
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18. The following additional industrial establishments are located in Iasi:
a. In September 1958, construction of a large bakery, covering an area of
approximately 800 square meters, was nearing completion. It is located
on the left-hand side of Dr. C.I. Parhon Street, coming from the center
of town, 300 to 1100 meters from the Podul Rosu iron bridge.
b. A large refrigeration plant (for meat exports to the USSR), completed
in the summer of 1958, is located on Dr. C.I. Parhon Street, approxi-
mately 150 meters from the railroad tracks and 300 meters from the
Socola Rosie railway station.
c. A repair plant for construction machinery, located on the left-hand
side of Soseaua Morii De Foc coming from the center of town, and
approximately 50 meters from the railroad tracks, was nearing completion
in late 1958.
19. The radio amplifier station (Statia De Radioficare) is located on Piata
Unirii.
20. The only power station in Iasi is the thermal plant on Uzinei Street. It
has not undergone any outward changes since the end of World War II, though
it is known to have been equipped with new machinery. Since January 1958,
Iasi has also been supplied with electricity from the new power station at
Borzesti by means of a new high tension line. This station provides current
to Bacau and Galati as well,
21. The following are details concerning medical institutions in Iasi:
a. The large modern "Dr. Parhon" Provincial Hospital is situated opposite
the municipal park (Gradina Copou). Construction had begun before
World War II, but was completed only a few years ago. The hospital is
housed in a. large five-story building (the highest structure in town),
and comprises the following wards:
1) Internal diseases
2) Surgery
3) Balneology
4) Obstetrics
b. A military hospital is housed in the former Cadets' School (Liceul
NE.litar) -building on Calea 23 August.
c. The blood bank is situated in the third or fourth building on the left
side (coming from the center of town) of Karl Marx Street.
22. The municipal streetcar and bus depots are situated next to the power
station. The town of Iasi has four streetcar lines:
a. No. 1 - runs between the Copou Quarter and Dr. C.I. Parhon Street, via
the following streets: 23 August, G. Dimitrov, Plata Unirii, Cuza Voda,
Elena Doamna, Anastasie Panu, Maresal Mali, Novski and Podul Rosie
Bridge.
b. No. 2 - Pacurani Street, Republicei Street, Piata Unirii, Cuza Voda,
and along No. 1 route to Gara Nicolina.
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c. No. 3 - runs between the central railway station and the slaughter house,
via the following streets: 30 Decembrie, Piata Unirii, Cuza Voda,
Targul Cucului, Padurei, Tatarasi, Ion Creanca Stejar and Vasile Lupu.
d. No. 4 - Targul Cucului, Ing. Ada Marinescu and Calea 23 August.
23. The bus system operates on lines identical with those of the Nos. 1, 2 and
4 streetcar lines, and in addition on a route from the Palace of Culture
to the antibiotics factory at Valea Lupului, via Pacurari Street.
24. Taxicabs are operated from Piata Unirii. Their total number is 10 state-
owned cars and two or three private vehicles.
25. Following are details on railway installations in Iasi:
a. The Nicolina railway station, completed in 1956 or 1957, is a small
station used by workers (mainly railroad employees) and by freight
trains c ch are stored in nearby ware-
houses. this station serves passengers
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b. Socola Rosie railroad station, completed in 1951 or 1952, is a special
freight transit railway station for Rumanian-Soviet trade. There are
numerous Rumanian narrow-gauge and Soviet broad-gauge sidings and a
considerable number of warehouses at the station. Transit operations
concerning all freight traffic are carried out exclusively at this
station,
c. Socola Albastra railway station serves passengers only.
d. Iasi central railway station. The Sofia Express used to pass this
station and the exchange of axles for the two different gauges was
effected there. Since 1957 or early 1958, this operation has been
carried out at Ungheni; the train no longer passes through Iasi. A
narrow gauge track has been laid from Iasi to Ungheni. The transport
of import and export goods to and from Soviet trains is cone either by
hand or by automatic grabs. Some goods are not transferred directly,
but are put into storage.
26. The following are details concerning military objectives in Iasi:
a. 2litary barracks at Iasi have not changed since World War II. The
barracks on Graniceri.Street have been housing a Frontier Guard regi-
ment since 1945-1946*
b. The barracks on.Ing. Ada Marinescu Street, which served as billets for
an Air Force unit before World War II, have been occupied by a
Securitate unit since the end of the war. There is another barracks
of unknown occupancy on the same street.
c. The barracks located on Calea 23 August near the municipal park housed
the 13th Regiment before World War II. From the end of the war to 1957
a Cadets' School, occupied the premises. When the latter was transferred
to Campulung Moldovenesc the barracks were taken over by an army unit.
d. The Iasi garrison command occupies a building at the corner of 23 August
and I.C. Frimu Streets.
e. There are no Air Force units stationed in Iasi,
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f. Large contingents of Soviet forces were stationed at Iasi from the end
of World War II until 1954-1955. There was also a Soviet Komandatura
and a Soviet consul. At the afore-mentioned time the majority of Soviet
forces at Iasi were evacuated (allegedly to the USSR); the Soviet
consul left at the same time. Additional Soviet forces left Iasi
during the revolt in Hungary in 1956; only a small unit remained in
town billeted in the former customs house opposite the central railway
station. In June 1958; this unit, too, left. Only a small Soviet
military movement control office remains at the central railway
station.
27. New housing projects at Iasi were mainly constructed on the following
streets: Pacurari, Nicolae Balcescu, Ing. Ada Marinescu, and Karl Marx.
The Pacurari Street construction, which has been going on since 1951.,
is on the left-hand side of the street, coming from the center of town.
The buildings are designed for the housing of workers and officials. Four
buildings were to have been completed by December 1958. Each building
has approximately 40 apartments which consists of three rooms and con-
veniences. Each apartment is alloted to two families who must share the
kitchen and bathroom.
28. The following fuel and materials stores are in Iasi:
a. Fuel stores, for current use, are located at the intersection of the
railroad tracks and Soseaua Nationala, in the direction of Facurari.
b. In 1955/56 fuel stores, located both above and underground, were con-
structed on Cetatuie Street (on the left-hand side of the street
going from the Bucium Quarter toward the Cetatuie Mnastery.
c. Large iron, steel, and coal stores are located at the rear of the
Socola Rosie railway station, in an area known as Cimpul Tutora, along
the extension of Tutora Street. The stores serve as a distribution
center for the various plants in town.
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2.
3.
4.
51
6.
Oh aaistry Motion of the Aaadau of Boiee+.a.
"TAXTILA 10013" cotton (weaving?) will.
Militia and 31CJRITATg headquarter.
"VICTO 1A" Hotel.
MA :u4 GORKIY Cinema
?I l UWI ~i ss ?
O rue. PA_PTT:p (Fro ,Loop C10).
S.
Telephone esoliange
.90
14LTZrtiL( mua eum) i UIR$I
10.
Fomer Jockey C1'.ib
:Ll.
TRJ87UL RMIONAL D C~,jN3 ttjCTI$
.L2.
Provtna. ao0ao11 ( SPATUL nPUL-R RGIOU )
13.
Province Pasty aonrtjt$e.. Tom .arty Oomittee
and D.T.Y.
:L4.
State Bank
5.
Agricultural Bank
1.6.
credit and Inver t:::ent 'Bank
.f.
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17.
1.8.
19.
4.0.
21.
22.
:?3.
..4.
25-
26.
;AI)ICO-P HUT IC) .
iO_ . J + P IA ate...
L SADMIW A.ot str`. ft_ ,
30.
31.
32.
29. Municipal Council ( i$PLUL POMAJI M
35. Warehouses of the STATIA ( railway station)
DS 3UARFA PAC U .:ARI.
36. Railway gates
37. GARA NICOLINA ( NICOLINA Railws Station)
Department Store
PUSKIN Cinema
Orthodox Church
Catholic Church
Post office
Students' hostel
VA.9~I " AIX8A I 'istirwal Theatr e
Civil airport
Central Hospital for Adults
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Medical and Pharmaceutical Coll*",( INMVW
Palace of Culture
Printing house of the newspaper FLACAii1 IA$UXUI
PO ' RAF ICA No. 2 )
Polygraphic Nnterprise so.2 ( IIT:I IMINIS
33. Pire brigade station
34. Provincial adio station
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wor .rs' a4ni'%4W1 ur ( SAN
Pa sU MUNICITCx~x a,?.It.
rfSUe io.,~Af, of ". .CJI.i t{O3Il " raiiwrat> .?t&tti0!ra
( not exar,.?,W .Hers ;ced )
"MUH
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"rl,fi rrti is a? Loe..a
,t? :air Works. ~otiv-e and 2 ilv y ?ruck
7rst>i,- q-off point of traslka to Bt HAii lT
aiid .i1? X S tint r,,
ins. a :i terry b&rrmka1 firmW1 jr of RAG IUS= go
IASI garrison 0 (j"=rI1ol Tier; )
Power $tat.le
Tract and bum depot
Barracks of !rontimr Corps heir,
{
D !;RAMC ; :: )
! i1itary barracks
Military No,
Poxir custo l house., ' yts4 by 4ornt?rt tro
1.0 ? I . Yom' Provi r. S'c pi teat
C, d: bank
Food refrigeration plant
z r )
-cano .. c ristitute
!. i[uaia i pj%l Stadium
-4.1. rater 11O'lete
if j4-IOULA A4B" RA," railway lk!%tion
10 ' ailway sidings
1. xa.: t~33I R .7.way t talion
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 ??tinvi ul IAA
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sir
Central IASI Railway station ( for ""anger
63. " VICPO iIP Spinning is *eMNS W.i
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