TELEPHONE SYSTEM OF THE SNB AND STB

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82-00457R012300170003-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 7, 2011
• Sequence Number: 3
• Publication Date: June 5, 1952
• Content Type: REPORT

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/04/07: CIA-RDP82-00457RO12300170003-8
CLASSIFICATION
~ ~cJ Y INFORMATION
INFORMATION REPORT REPORT
COUNTRY Czechoslovakia
SUBJECT Telephone System of the SNB and StB
DATE OF
INFO.
PLACE
ACQUIRED
THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING THE NATIONAL DEFENSE
OF THE UNITED STATES, W I T H I N TIIE MEANING OF TITLE 16, SECTIONS 793
AND 794, OF THE U.S. CODE, AS AMENDED. ITS TRANSMISSION OR REVE-
LATION OF ITS CONTENTS TO OR RECEIPT BY AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON IS
PROHIBITED BY LAW. THE REPRODUCTION OF THIS FORM IS PROHIBITED.
DATE DISTR.
5 June 1952
NO. OF PAGES
2
NO, OF ENCLS.
(LISTED BELOW)
SUPPLEMENT TO
REPORT NO.
50X1-HUM
THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATION
50X1-HUM
The Czechoslovak Security Service has installed its own telephone network
which connects the Ministry of National Security, all county commands of
State Security (StB) and National Security (s ), and all district commands
of National Security (SNB) and units of State Security (Sty) in all of
Czechoslovakia. This telephone network consists of long distance and local
lines.
Long-distance lines
Underground cables are used, not only for telephoning but also for tel.e
printing All commands connected with this long-distance network may
communicate through telephone and 'teleprint. Most of the network had been
installed during the German occupation to connect German establisiments
(Gestapo,ipo, etc.). After the war the network was taken over by the
Czechoslovak Security Service and completed.
Central exchanges of teleprint lines are located in Prague, Brno, and
Bratislava. These three exchanges are mutually connected., with lines
spreading out of each .exchange all over the country, from Prague through
Bohemia, Brno through Moraviay and Bratislava through Slovakia. If one
wants to be connected with Moravia from Bohemia, he must ask'the Prague
exchange for connection with Brno and then the Brno exchange for further
connection with the point in Moravia. The Prague exchange is located at
Zikmund Winter street 2, Prague XIX, the former headquarters of: the Main
SNI Command, now the seat of the Ministry of NationalSecixrity, StB Group?
In general, one may say that the Ministry of National. Se `ity.'all county
commands of State Security (StB) and National Security (SNB). and..,alBo some
district commands of National Security (SNB) and some units of State Security
(StB) participate in the long-distance communication network. Participation
of some of the district commands of National Security (SNB) and units of
to Security (StB) in the long-distance communication network is the
X NAVY X I N SRBi DISTRI
ARMY
AIR I 1FBI A
50X1-HUM
r
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/04/07: CIA-RDP82-00457R012300170003-8
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/04/07: CIA-RDP82-00457RO12300170003-8
result of the fact that this network was installed at a time when the Security
Service had a different structure of territorial organization.
Local lines
Direct connections of county commands of National Security (SNB) with sub-
ordinate district commands of National Security (S1) were installed in
1950. For this purpose, the Postal Administration had to lease permanently
its telephone lines to the Security Service. These lines are open wire
lines on poles. Telephone switchboards have been installed at every district
command-of National Security (SNB). In 1950 stations of National Security
(Sim) were not provided with independent connections to their superior
commands (QV-NB) but.had to ask post offices to make a connection in each
individual case. SNB stations having three or more SNB members were per-
manently connected with the telephone switchboard at the post office during
the night. Rural post offices have no telephone service at night, and
individual stations of National Security were therefore connected directly
with the telephone switchboar& of their respective district towns via their
post offices after official hours. SNA stations having only one or two
SNB.members were connected only when facilities were open.
As almost every long-distance system has more than one telephone line, it
is possible that State Security (StB) has reserved special lines within
the scope of this communication network. But in view of the practical need
for frequent telephone calls between StB and SNB stations it may be assumed
that every town connected with the long-distance system will have its own
switchboard from which telephone calls can be switched over to local stations
of StB as well as SNB. The same may be true for the teleprint system.
Prime
The Security Service in Prague has its own telephone network, with the switch-
board located in the building of the former Police Presidium, Narodni street 13,
Prague I. Subsidiary telephone switchboards are at Lupacova street., Prague-
Zizkov; Novodvorska street, Prague-Mala Strana; and Dostalova street, Prague-
Bubenec. The interconnection is transversal so that connection with any
police station in Prague is possible via any of these subsidiary switchboards.
All telephone connections in Prague are automatic. The main telephone
switchboard at Narodni 13, Prague T. is connected with the switchboard of
the long-distance telephone system at-Zikmund Winter street 2, Prague XIX.
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/04/07: CIA-RDP82-00457RO12300170003-8