Cold War International History Project
Virtual Archive 2.0

The Warsaw Pact

Statement by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and the Council of Ministers of the USSR on the Transfer of the 72nd Engineer Brigade to East Germany
March 26 1955 - Statement by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and the Council of Ministers of the USSR on the transfer of Soviet troops and missiles to various Warsaw Treaty countries
 
CC BCP Politburo Resolution "B" re: Protocol for co-operation between the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Stasi
October 13 1955 - The CC BCP Politburo approves the protocol for co-operation between the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the East German Ministry for State Security (Stasi), agreed upon at a September meeting in Berlin.
 
Bulgarian Military Intelligence Information on the Situation in Hungary and Poland
November 01 1956 - This intelligence report discusses the domestic political developments in Poland after the ascent of Wladyslaw Gomulka to the top of the Polish United Workers' Party (PZPR).The events surrounding the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 are also mentioned.
 
Andropov Report
November 01 1956 - Andropov reports that Imre Nagy has threatened a scandal and the resignation of the government if the Soviet Union continues to send troops into Hungary. In his meeting with Nagy, Andropov is told that Hungary is withdrawing from the Warsaw Pact and will further request a UN guarantee of Hungarian neutrality if Soviet troop movements into Hungary do not stop. The report notes that after the meeting the Hungarian government informed the Embassy of its decision to leave the Warsaw Pact.
 
Working Notes from the Session of the CPSU CC Presidium on 2 November 1956
November 02 1956 - The CPSU CC Presidium is confronted with reports from Hungary of mass demonstrations, armed counterrevolutionary groups, and the support for Nagy by the opposition. The CC is told about the Hungarian decision to declare neutrality and the likely confrontation between Soviet and Hungarian troops should the former continue to advance toward Budapest. Also discussed is the split within the HWP and possible Soviet responses.
 
Letter addressed by N.S. Khruschev, First Secretary of the CC of the CPSU to the CC of the RWP concerning the withdrawal of Soviet troops from the Romanian territory
April 17 1958 - Letter from Nikita Khrushchev to Gheorghiu Dej, informing the Romanian leadership of the decision taken by the Soviet leadership to withdraw the Soviet Red Army troops from the territory of Romania. Military and security services advisors will however remain in place until 1963.
 
Letter of reply, from Gheorghe Gheorgiu-Dej, First Secretary of the CC of the RWP expressing agreement to the proposal made by the Soviet Union to withdraw its troops from Romania
April 23 1958 - Letter from the RWP CC Politburo to the Soviet leadership agreeing with the Soviet proposal for the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Romania.
 
Telegram from Gaqo Paze, the Albanian Ambassador in GDR to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Albania
June 23 1961 - Gaqo Paze reports from Berlin that during the conversation between the Yugoslav Ambassador to Berlin Voshnjak, and the Hungarian ambassador to Berlin Pervukin, the latter had asked if Yugoslavia would subscribe to the peace treaty with the GDR if the Western states would not accept to sign the peace treaty with both German states. Voshnjak avoided giving a direct answer several times, but in the end he implicitly expressed, according to Gaqo Paze, that Yugoslavia would not sign the treaty.
 
Ministry of the Interior Bulletin re: Anti-Bulgarian activity of Greece and Turkey
September 05 1961 - The Ministry of Internal Affairs reports its intelligence findings on the military cooperation between the US, Greece and Turkey.
 
Report to CPSU Central Committee From Defense Minister Rodion Malinovskii and A. Epishev
October 24 1962 - The response from the Soviet Army following the announcement of the Soviet government about the aggressive actions of the US toward Cuba.
 
Memorandum by Aristov
April 01 1963 - Document memorandum by Aristov regarding potential nonproliferation treaty
 
Memorandum of Conversation between Yuri Andropov and the Central Committee of the Romanian Worker’s Party
April 03 1963 - Soviet politburo member Yuri Andropov and Gheorghe Gheorghiu-Dej discuss issues concerning the cooperation between the CPSU and the Romanian Worker's party and the two governments. The discussion ranges between economic integration issues, to the Sino-Soviet split, Soviet-Albanian relations, and politico-military cooperation between Warsaw Pact states.
 
Transcript of Meeting of the Political Bureau of the CC of Romanian Worker’s Party
July 04 1963 - The conversation focuses on whether or not to publish declarations made by the Chinese Communist Party and those made by the CPSU. The Romanians are concerned how the people will react to tension between the two communist countries.
 
Letter from Gomulka to Khruschev
October 08 1963 - Letter from Gomulka to Khrushchev discussing Polish opposition to Soviet proposal for a Non-Proliferation Treaty. Gomulka suggests that the treaty will further split the communist camp. While discussing the state of Sino-Soviet relations, the Polish leader suggests that the Soviet Union and the PRC adopt a common position in matters of foreign policy in order to strengthen the power of the Socialist camp.
 
Discussion between Soviet Marshal V. V. Kuznetsov and the SED Politburo
October 14 1963 - (Excerpts) discussion between Marshal Vasilii Kuznetsov and SED Politburoi members on the issues of Nuclear Non-Proliferation, US plans for the MLF, and Warsaw Pact military and political cooperation.
 
Discussion between Soviet Deputy Foreign Minister Vasilii Kuznetsov and the SED Politburo (Fragment)
October 14 1963 - Excerpts of the meeting between Marshal V.V. Kuznetzov, Commander of the Warsaw Pact Forces, and the GDR politburo on issues of nuclear proliferation in Europe and Warsaw Pact planning.
 
Plan of Action of the Czechoslovak People’s Army for War Period
October 11 1964 - A detailed strategic miltiary plan the Czechoslovak People’s Army for war period.
 
Memorandum of Discussions between Romanian Worker’s Party leadership and Polish United Worker’s Party leadership
January 18 1965 - The talks focus on several issues: namely the Multinational Nuclear Forces, Warsaw Pact relations with Albania, and the People's Republic of China. Gomulka and Dej also discuss the idea of convening a conference of Communist and Worker’s parties.
 
Minutes of the Meeting of the Political Consultative Committee of the Warsaw Pact Member States, Warsaw
January 20 1965 - (Excerpts) Minutes of discussions of the Warsaw Pact Political Consultative Committee concerning non-proliferation. The Romanian delegation argues against a joint declaration of the Warsaw Pact on non-proliferation for fear that it might be used against China. The other delegations argue that a joint declaration is necessary in order to prevent the creation of the Multi-national Nuclear Forces proposed by NATO.
 
Report on the meeting of the Chiefs of the General Staff of the Armies of the Warsaw Pact
February 04 1966 - The meeting focused on the need to create a more unified command structure and general staff for the Warsaw Pact. A draft protocol was produced, which the delegates signed.
 
KGB Border Report to P. Shelest
May 22 1968 - Report on lax border controls between Warsaw Pact nations and the Western District, USSR.
 
Report on Meeting of Consultative Political Committee of the Warsaw Pact
June 03 1968 - The report details changes that had been made to the Unified Command structure over the last two years (since 1966) and the effects that they would have on Romania and its relationship with the Warsaw Pact.
 
Memorandum by Thirty Scholarly Associates of the Military Political Academy and Military Technical Academy for the Czechoslovak Communist Party Central Committee
June 04 1968 - Memorandum outlining with the formulation of Czechoslovak state interests in the military area. The memorandum urges the elaboration of a state military doctrine of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republichaving as the point of departure the state interests of Czechoslovakia.
 
Memorandum by Thirty Scholarly Associates on the Military Political Academy and the Military Technical Academy for the Czechoslovak Communist Party Central Committee
June 04 1968 - Formulation and Constitution of Czechoslovak State Interests in the Military Area
 
Secret Decree of the Council of Ministers of the PR of Bulgaria for the Participation of Bulgarian Troops in the Warsaw Pact Operation in Czechoslovakia
August 20 1968 -
 
Letter from the Central Committees of the Bulgarian, East German, Hungarian, Polish, and Soviet Communist Parties regarding the Warsaw Pact intervention in Czechoslovakia
August 21 1968 - Letter from the Central Committees of the Communist Parties of East Germany, Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria and the Soviet Union explaining the need for intervention in Czechoslovakia. The letter lays out the rationale behind the Brezhnev Doctrine.
 
Note of Discussions between Nicolae Ceausescu and Marshal I.I. Jakubovsky
September 28 1968 - Marshal Jakubovsky briefed Ceausescu and the Romanian leadership on changes that were being made to the Unified Command structure.
 
Gen. Djurov’s Report on the participation of Bulgarian troops in the Warsaw Pact operation in Czechoslovakia, 30 September 1968
September 30 1968 - The Minister reports on the progress of the allied operation and on the strength of the Czech resistance.
 
Note on the events at the Seminar of Red Cross Journals from Socialist Countries, held in Prague, 19-22 Nov. 1968. Cover note from Anton Moisescu, President of the Romanian Red Cross, to Nicolae Ceausescu, Secretary General, CC RCP.
November 26 1968 - Note about the experiences of N. Palade, Chief Editor of the Romanian Red Cross journal "Sanatatea" at the Socialist bloc seminar of Red Cross journals. The information note discusses Czechoslovak reactions to the Soviet-led invasion and occupation of Czechoslovakia and especially of Prague. Palade describes his reception by the Czechoslovak officials and the current attitude of the Czechoslovak population vis-à-vis the Soviet Union and the other East Bloc countries, describing the pessimism that seized the population after the August 1968 invasion.
 
Proposal from Angel Solakov to CC BCP Secretariat re: Sending a Ministry Representative to Warsaw
January 01 1969 - A proposal from the Minister of Internal Affairs to the BCP CC for putting one counter-intelligence operative on staff in the Bulgarian Embassy in Warsaw.
 
Memorandum of discussions at a dinner hosted by Corneliu Manescu in honor of Marshal I.I. Yakubovksy
March 01 1969 - The memorandum describes a dinner conversation that took place between Manescu, Jakubovsky, and several other guests. The talk focused primarily on relations within the socialist bloc and how Romania interacted with other countries.
 
Letter from General Ion Gheorghe to Nicolae Ceausescu
September 09 1969 - General Gheorghe is writing to inform Cheausescu of staff talks he had in Moscow regarding upcoming maneuvers to be held in Romania. He recommends that they be rescheduled to 1970.
 
Letter from Marshall Ivan Ignatyevich Yakubovsky to Todor Zhivkov
January 23 1973 - A letter accompanying the official 1972 Warsaw Pact Report.
 
Minutes of Conversation between Todor Zhivkov – Leonid I. Brezhnev, Voden Residence [Bulgaria]
September 20 1973 - The two leaders discuss trade agreements, the situation in the Balkans, and policies toward Yugoslavia, Romania and the PRC.
 
Todor Zhivkov’s Consultations with Soviet Experts on Relations with Romania
June 11 1975 - Prior to his visit to Bucharest, Todor Zhivkov meets Soviet representatives in Sofia in an attempt to co-ordinate Bulgarian policy toward Romania with the Soviet government. They discuss Soviet-Romanian relations, role of Romania in the Conference for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Romania in the Warsaw Pact and COMECON, Romania and the Non-Aligned Movement, Sino-Soviet relations, etc.
 
Stenographic transcript of meeting of the Consultative Political Committee of the CC of the Romanian Communist Party
November 20 1978 - The meeting concerns an upcoming trip to Moscow by Ceausescu to talk about the Warsaw Pact. The conversation is focused on preparing answers for potential questions that may be asked in Moscow
 
Report on the meeting of the foreign secretaries of the closely cooperating socialist countries in Moscow
February 29 1980 - This document explains the views of the cooperating Socialist countries relating to Afghanistan. The USSR perceived the US attempt to line up NATO support against the Soviets as an aggressive action, designed to counter Soviet influence. The Soviets, by contrast, viewed their involvement in Afghanistan as increasing their sphere of influence around the Warsaw-pact countries, making such actions defense, rather than offensive. The USSR's leadership states that it should increase its ties to NATO countries to counteract the foreign policy of the US.
 
Memorandum of conversation between Vadim Zagladin, first deputy head of the International Department of the CPSU CC and Gyula Horn, deputy head of the HSWP CC Foreign Department on debates inside the Soviet leadership on issues of international politics
July 16 1980 - This document reveals substantial internal debate among Soviet policy makers regarding the USSR'S foreign policy. Issues of counter-balancing US influence by increasing alliances in Western Europe, and the disagreement regarding political turmoil in Afghanistan, illustrate two prominent disagreements in Soviet politics.
 
CPSU CC Politburo Report "On Theses for the discussion with representatives of the Polish leadership"
September 03 1980 - Cable to the Polish leadership regarding the position of the Soviet leadership in regard to the agreements reached earlier in 198o between the Polish Government and the Inter-Factory Strike Committee. The Soviet leadership expresses its concerns with the consequences of the agreements on the role of the Party in Polish society.
 
Record of a Meeting between CPCz CC General Secretary Gustáv Husák and HSWP CC First Secretary János Kádár in Bratislava, (excerpt from Kádár)
November 12 1980 - Excerpts from a discussion between Czechoslovak leader Husak and Hungarian leader Kadar on the situation in Poland. Janos Kadar suggests that the source of the crisis rests with mistakes made by the Polish leadership regarding economic policies. However, he still supports Polish leader Gierek, and believes that he should not have been removed from his position of responsibility.
 
Letter from Honecker to Brezhnev
November 26 1980 - East German leader Erik Honecker writes to Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev requesting that a meeting of the First Secretaries of the Communist Parties in the Warsaw Pact member states be convened to discuss the crisis in Poland. Honecker suggests that any delay in taking action agains the "reactionary forces" would result in the demise of communism in Poland.
 
Speech by Leonid Brezhnev at the meeting of the party and state leaders of the Warsaw Pact
December 05 1980 - Brezhnev speaks at length about the growing situation in Poland and emphasizes the importance of trade unions. However, he makes it clear that socialism and unity are most important.
 
Speech by Erich Honecker at the meeting of the party and state leaders of the Warsaw Pact
December 05 1980 - Honecker discusses the problems facing the Polish United Worker’s Party and emphasizes that the “counter-revolutionary” forces must be stopped and punished.
 
Speech by Stanislaw Kania at meeting of party and state leaders of the Warsaw Pact
December 05 1980 - Kania talks at length about the problems facing the Polish United Worker’s Party, he mentions the new Solidarity trade union, the Catholic Church, and the growing discontent of the workers.
 
Speech by Nicolae Ceausescu at the meeting of the party and state leaders of the Warsaw Pact
December 05 1980 - Ceausescu talks at length about the problems confronting the Polish United Worker’s Party. He emphasizes the need to not dwell on the causes of the discontent, but rather to stop it from continuing.
 
Shorthand Record of the Meeting of the Executive Political Committee of the CC of the RCP
December 13 1981 - Discussion in the Romanian Politburo of the situation in Poland and the declaration of Martial Law.
 
Minutes of the Meeting of the Executive Bureau [Politburo] of the Central Committee of the Romanian Communist Party
December 17 1981 - Meeting of the Romanian Executive Bureau of the CC RCP, regarding the situation in Poland. The discussion focuses on what kind of aid the Romanians should send the Polish government.
 
Speech of Nicolae Ceausescu at the meeting of the Warsaw Pact leaders
May 29 1987 - A speech by Ceausescu in which he addresses various security issues, including: the Vienna negotiations, China, Vietnam, and Cambodia.
 
Weekly State Security Review from the Ministry of the Interior to T. Zhivkov
June 20 1988 - The Minister of the Internal Affairs, Dimitar Stoyanov, briefs Todor Zhivkov on the weekly domestic developments. Among the most pressing issues is the ongoing popular discontent in Ruse triggered by the unresolved problems with industrial pollution in the city. Another issue is the opposition of the Turkish minority to the revival process.
 
Report on Romanian bilateral relations with the USSR, Bulgaria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Poland, and East Germany.
03/1969 - A report prepared by the Foreign Ministry covering all aspects of Romanian relations with the Eastern bloc countries for the period of 1 January 1968-15 March 1969.
 

Cold War International History Project
Woodrow Wilson Center
One Woodrow Wilson Plaza
1300 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20004-3027
Email: coldwar@wilsoncenter.org
Tel: 202/691-4110