Organisation, Access, and Declassification == Theodore Karasik == National Defense Research Institute (RAND Corporation) [Published 1993] INTRODUCTION The post-Soviet archives examined in this monograph are organized into six separate groups: (1) the Russian state archival system; (2) the Russian foreign ministry archives; (3) the Russian Presidential Archive; (4) the Committee for State Security (KGB) archives;(5) … Continue reading Soviet Archives after 1991
Category: 12. Other documents, etc.
How the Soviet Archives were opened and shut
Michael Ledeen, FREEDOM BETRAYED, 1996 Chapter Three (pp. 69-70) [T]he West should have insisted on a proper accounting, if not for the millions of collaborators, certainly for the ruling elites. […] we should have understood the vital importance of making public the historical record of Communist tyranny. […] For a few brief months after the … Continue reading How the Soviet Archives were opened and shut
Secret Chernobyl (1986-2019)
In Judgment in Moscow, Vladimir BUKOVSKY writes in passing with irony and scepticism of the Western reaction, in April 1986, to the explosion at the Chernobyl reactor and the behaviour of the Soviet leadership led by the "new Chichikov", Mikhail Gorbachev. Again and again, he notes disbelievingly, Western commentators urged that the new head of … Continue reading Secret Chernobyl (1986-2019)
The Abuse of Psychiatry (1970-1989)
The abuse of psychiatry for political purposes was widespread in the Soviet Union. When the release of political prisoners began in 1987 it became apparent that one third of their number were detained, often indefinitely, in psychiatric prison hospitals. All ten documents in this archive concerning this practice may be found in the thematic section … Continue reading The Abuse of Psychiatry (1970-1989)
The Soviet Union and Afghanistan (CWIHP)
Documents from the Bulletins of the Cold War International History Project (CWIHP) Compiled, translated into English and republished November 2001 (79 pp). Compare to Section 9.2 in this archive (USSR and Afghanistan, 1974-1992) which usually includes Russian original [ See Short Biographies for identity and positions of Afghan, Soviet and other officials ] ============================== BULLETIN … Continue reading The Soviet Union and Afghanistan (CWIHP)
The Past on Trial (1992) CPSU
-- Russia one year later -- Richard PIPES «The Washington Post» (16 August 1992) In the morning hours of 7 July 1992 an unusual spectacle unfolded in the center of Moscow, off Staraya Ploshchad, where until recently the all-powerful Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU) had had its headquarters: In … Continue reading The Past on Trial (1992) CPSU
31 October 1975* (2743-A) KGB Warnings
KGB report. The results of preventative and prophylactic work by the KGB since 1959, reducing the need for imprisonment, even for the most serious crimes. Statistical information for 1959-1974 on p. 2. [Russian: 31 October 1975, Volkogonov] total 2 pp. ================= [page one of two] Top SecretSpecial Folder Committee for State Security [KGB]at the USSR … Continue reading 31 October 1975* (2743-A) KGB Warnings
Chernyaev diary (3 January 1976)
A brief passage from Anatoly CHERNYAEV's unpublished "Diary", in which he responds to a report to the Central Committee by ANDROPOV (29 December 1975*, 3213-A) about the statements of foreign communist parties concerning "political prisoners" in the USSR (NSA, document and translation). ==================== 3 January 1976 From interesting things at the Central Committee, in the … Continue reading Chernyaev diary (3 January 1976)
22 June 1978* (Pb) Shcharansky
Yury Andropov briefs Politburo on forthcoming trial of Anatoly SHCHARANSKY, arrested in mid-March the previous year. (MHG 30th anniversary) total 2 pp. =================== V-118 Top secret The only copy Working paper SESSION OF THE POLITBURO OF THE CC CPSU June 22, 1978 Chaired by Comrade Brezhnev, L.I. In attendance: Comrades Andropov, U.V.; Grishin, V.V.; Gromyko, … Continue reading 22 June 1978* (Pb) Shcharansky
The Bukovsky Archives 