1950

The History of the Soviet Bloc 1945–1991
A CHRONOLOGY

PART 1
1945–1952

Edited by
Csaba BÉKÉS

Assistant editors
David CATALAN, Neala HICKEY, Jasper NOOIJ, Emese NYITRAI, Levente NYITRAI, Bobbie SCHOEMAKER, Kristóf ZSIDI

Contributors

Diego BENEDETTI, Martyna BOJARSKA, Shira BORZAK, Lauren CRYSTAL, Botond CSELLE, Sonya COWELL, Péter János DARÁK, Nico DEGENKOLB, Kati DEPETRILLO, Doris DOMOSZLAI, Jacob FEYGIN, Lilla FÖRDŐS, Katarina GABIKOVA, Kristína GABIKOVA, Zsófia GÖDE, Gyöngyi GYARMATI, Ágnes HEVÉR, Zoltán HERKUTZ, Emily Jennifer HOLLAND, Connie IP, Alin IVASCU,  Dean JOLLY, Annastiina KALLIUS, János KEMÉNY, András KISS, Annamária KÓTAY-NAGY, Réka KRIZMANICS, Andrej KROKOS, András Máté LÁZÁR, Zardas LEE, Karina LEGRADI, Tara LOTSTEIN, Cynthia MANCHA, Viktor NAGY, Jennifer OTTERSON, Linda RICHTER, Zita Bettina VASAS, Dániel VÉKONY, Péter VUKMAN, Patrick Stephen WAGER, Jonathon WOODRUFF

© Cold War History Research Center, Budapest 2012

At the Cold War History Research Center we have been working on an extensive chronology of the Soviet Bloc for a number of years. The first part of the timeline contains information dealing with the period from 1945 to 1952, but our goal is to publish the whole chronology covering the entire Cold War era up until 1991 in parts during the next two years. The years 1953–1955 will be available by September, 2012 and the years 1956–1968 by December, 2012.
The entries were compiled using mainly secondary sources so far, nevertheless, we are determined to further improve and continuously extend the chronology by including information from archival documents in the years to come. The chronology also presents data dealing with Austria, Finland and Yugoslavia. Although these countries were obviously not part of the Soviet Bloc, we still wanted to involve them since they maintained special relations with the Soviet Union and its Eastern European allies.

List of Sources

Yugoslavia – 1950 (PLC)
The people of Cazin (Yugoslavia) demonstrate against the forced collectivization.

Yugoslavia – January 1950 (CUY)
The Central Committee of the Communist Party of Yugoslavia adopts a resolution on education in which the Russian language education priority in schools is terminated. Russian now becomes one of the languages which might be studied along with English, French and German.

Hungary – January 1, 1950 (HC)
The Council of Ministers releases the number 4349/1050 order about the unification of Budapest and the outlying towns and villages. The number of districts in Budapest is increased to 22.

Poland – January 1, 1950 (PSN)
The functions of First Deputy Defense Minister and the chief of the Central Political Board of the Polish Army are combined. Edward Ochab, until that time First Deputy Minister of national defense, becomes Chief of the Central Political Board of the Polish Army.

Yugoslavia – January 1, 1950 (CUY)
The Ministry of Interior announces amnesty for 7,304 political prisoners, to be effective immediately. According to usually reliable American sources, those affected were mainly anti-Communist elements who had been imprisoned for “re-education”.

Czechoslovakia – January 2, 1950 (KCA)
It is reported from Regensburg (Bavaria) that Bohumil Lausman, former chairman of the Social Democratic party and Minister of the Industry in the Czechoslovak Government before the Communist coup in 1948, has crossed into West Germany from Czechoslovakia as a political refugee.

Poland – January 2, 1950 (KCA)
It is announced in Warsaw that General Mieczyslaw has been relieved of his duties as Director of Political Education in the Polish Army and is to be succeeded by General Edward Ochab.

Hungary – January 2, 1950 (HC)
The first Five-Year Plan begins.

Hungary / U.S. – January 3, 1950 (HC/REV)
The Government of the United States sends a note to the Hungarian Government, according to which the permissions of the Hungarian Consultates of New York and Cleveland are revoked. It is viewed to be a response to the Standard-trial.

Yugoslavia / Turkey – January 4, 1950 (OEH)
Yugoslavia signs a trade and payments agreement with Turkey.

Yugoslavia / Uruguay – January 4, 1950 (OEH)
Yugoslavia signs a trade agreement with Uruguay.

Czechoslovakia / France / UK / US – January 6, 1950 (KCA)
It is announced in Prague that the Czechoslovak Government had ordered four British, U.S., and French press correspondents to leave the country within short notice, bringing the number of Western correspondents expelled in the last six months to 10.

GDR – January 7, 1950 (KCA)
The People’s Congress movement in Eastern Germany transforms itself into a National Front, which is still predominately under control of the Communist party.

Hungary / U.S. January 7, 1950 (HC).
In its response to the January 3 US note, the Hungarian Government condemns the ‘new extortion attempt’ of the American Government in regard to the Standard-case.

Poland / France – January 7, 1950 (KCA)
The French Government informs the Polish Government that in view of the prevailing tension between the two countries, it considers circumstances unfavorable for the opening of negotiations for a new payments agreement.

Soviet Union – January 9, 1950 (KCA)
A decree issued by the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet announces that, as the four year term of office of the existing Supreme Soviet will expire on February 10, general elections will be held on March 12.

Czechoslovakia – January 10, 1950 (KCA)
The Czechoslovak Government issues a decree banning the sale of all books published in Czechoslovakia before 1945.

Yugoslavia / U.S. – January 11, 1950 (LBC)
The State Department reveals that according to a plan approved by President Truman and the NSC, the U.S. would deliver military materials to Yugoslavia if the latter were attacked. The long-term objective of the U.S. is to bring back Yugoslavia to the family of “free European nations” and this is to be achieved through economic aid.

Poland / UK – January 12, 1950 (KCA)
It is announced in London that the British-Polish negotiations which had commenced on February 23, 1949 on the questions of Polish compensation for British interests affected by nationalization measures in Poland, concluded without an agreement.

Yugoslavia / Albania – January 12, 1950 (KCA)
After being tried by the District People’s Court, ten Cominform supporters from Yugoslavia and Albania receive sentences. One is sentenced to death, while the others receive 20 years’ hard labor.

GDR – January 13, 1950 (KCA)
Difficulties in French movements from West Germany to Berlin arise.

Hungary – January 13, 1950 (HC) 
The bishops of the Hungarian Calvinist and Lutheran Churches take an oath to the Constitution of the People’s Republic of Hungary.

Poland / France– January 13, 1950 (KCA)
The French Ministry of Interior announces that nine Polish organizations in France will be dissolved because of evidence that their philanthropic and educational activities had been used as a cover for the dissemination of Communist propaganda. The Polish Government responds to the accusations by closing down French Institutes across the country.

Poland – January 13, 1950 (KCA)
The Polish Vice-Consul in Lyon, Chatzynski, on being recalled by the Polish Foreign Ministry, refuses to return to Poland and applies for the right of asylum in France, declaring that he is not in sympathy with the Polish Government’s policy.

Soviet Union / U.N. – January 13-August 1, 1950 (PLC)
The Soviet Union refuses to attend the sessions of the U.N. Security Council, because the U.N. recognizes Taiwan as the official representative of China.
           
Romania – January 14, 1950 (PIR)
A law is passed allowing detainees to be sent to labor camps after their original term, to be further ‘re-educated’.

GDR – January 16, 1950 (KCA)
The chairman of the Soviet Control Commission, General Chuikov, informs the Eastern German Government that the Soviets are closing down the three internment camps in the Soviet zone, those at Buchenwald, Sachsenhausen, and Bautzen.

Czechoslovakia – January 14, 1950 (KCA)
The Czechoslovak Supreme Court confirms the sentence of Hjelm.

Bulgaria – January 17, 1950 (KCA)
The new National Assembly consisting of 156 Communists, 48 Agrarians and 35 Independents meets for the first time.

Czechoslovakia – January 17, 1950 (KCA)
Though the Supreme Court confirmed Hjelm’s sentence, the Minister of Justice decides not to enforce it.

Soviet Union – January 17, 1950 (KCA)
Moscow announces that Mikhail Pervukhin, Minister for the Chemical Industries, has been appointed as Deputy Premier in the Council of Ministers and that Sergei Tikhomirov will assume his former post.

Yugoslavia / Bulgaria – January 17, 1950 (WBA)
The Yugoslav Ambassador in Sofia, Josip Gjergje, is expelled from Bulgaria by a note of the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Hungary / Yugoslavia – January 17, 1950 (PVC)
Local party secretary Imre Kiss is murdered at Lengyelkápolna, in the vicinity of Szeged. The Hungarian authorities accuse Yugoslav agent István Dobó of organizing the assassination. The Hungarian Communist Party makes the murder a good pretext for the technical fortification of the Hungarian-Yugoslav border.

Yugoslavia / Romania – January 17, 1950 (WBA)
The Romanian Government sends a note breaking the railway convention between Yugoslavia and Romania concluded on September 2 and 3, 1946. Owing to its offensive tone, the note was returned to the Romanian Government.

Yugoslavia / Paraguay – January 17, 1950 (OEH)
Yugoslavia signs a trade agreement with Paraguay.

Hungary – January 18, 1950 (HC) 
By decree 19/1950 of the Council of Ministers wholesale trade by individuals becomes illegal.

Poland / UN / US – January 18, 1950 (KCA)
It is announced from Lake Success that Alexander Rudzinsky, legal counselor of the Polish delegation to the United Nations, has resigned from his post at the U.N. and has requested asylum in the U.S. for his wife and himself.

Poland / France – January 18, 1950 (KCA)
The Polish Government expels 21 French Nationals from the country.

Bulgaria / U.S. – January 19, 1950 (KCA)
The Bulgarian Government demands the immediate recall of U.S. Minister Heath, who is accused of having been in contact with Kostov, for actions inconsistent with his diplomatic status and interfering in matters concerning Bulgaria’s national security and sovereignty.

Czechoslovakia / Sweden – January 20, 1950 (KCA)
Holger Hjelm is allowed to return to Sweden.

Bulgaria / U.S. – January 20, 1950 (KCA)
The U.S. State Department issues a reply to Bulgaria, repudiating the charges brought against Heath, threatening to break diplomatic relations with Bulgaria if the charges are not withdrawn.

Bulgaria  Yugoslavia – January 20, 1950 (KCA)
The Bulgarian Government demands the recall of Djerdja, the Yugoslav Ambassador in Sofia, and of other Yugoslav personnel alleged to have been involved in the Kostov conspiracy.

Hungary – January 20, 1950 (HC)
The Central Leadership of the Hungarian Workers’ Party makes a proposal about the working competition.

Yugoslavia – January 21, 1950 (KCA)
The Yugoslav National Assembly adopts a new electoral law in preparation for the upcoming elections, calling for an increase in the number of members in the Council of Nationalities, an increase in the number of deputies in the Federal Council, and a change in the method of election to the Federal Council.

Yugoslavia / Bulgaria – January 22, 1950 (KCA)
The Yugoslav Government issues a note to the Bulgarian Government, demanding the expulsion of two Bulgarian officials in Yugoslavia and repudiating anti-Yugoslav accusations made during the Kostov trial.

Czechoslovakia – January 22, 1950 (KCA)
The Czechoslovak Government announces that 98.2% of the Roman Catholic Priests in the country had taken the oath of allegiance prescribed in the new Church Law which came into operation in November 1949, but that none of the Bishops have complied with the law.

Yugoslavia / U.S. – January 22, 1950 (CUY)
U.S. ambassador George Allen presents his credentials in Belgrade.

Poland – January 23- 30, 1950 (PSN)
The state launches an attack on Church power by placing a Church run charity, Caritas under compulsory administration by pro-government priests. The press publishes information about hundreds of meetings where so called “patriotic priests” condemned the Caritas leaders. On July 30, 1,500 persons, including 1,200 priests and monks, gather to reorganize the organization on state approved lines. At the same, time trials begin against Bonifater monks who ran a home for epileptic children for beating their wards and forbidding them to join the Polish Youth Union.

Romania – January 23-24, 1950 (PIR)
The 5th CC Plenary of PMR elects the Organization Bureau of the CC of PMR which would coordinate the activity of cadres. The Organization Bureau takes decisions on behalf of the Central Committee and modifies the party’s social structure.

Yugoslavia / Romania – January 24, 1950 (WBA)
The Yugoslav Government sends a note of protest in connection with the unilateral breach of railway conventions by the Romanian Government.

Hungary – January 25, 1950 (HC) 
August 20 is declared the holiday of the People’s Republic.

GDR / Soviet Union / France /UK / US – January 26, 1950 (KCA)
The U.S., British and French Commandants in Berlin issue a joint note to the Russian Commandant protesting the hold up.

Yugoslavia – January 25, 1950 (ACY)
Dobri Pastir (The Good Shepherd), the association of Catholic priests in Bosnia and Herzegovina is founded at a meeting held in Sarajevo. The first Catholic priests' association was the Istrian, founded in 1948. It was followed by the Association of Cyril and Methodius in Slovenia in 1949.

Romania / Yugoslavia – January 25, 1950 (WBA)
In its note the Romanian Embassy rejects the proposal of the Yugoslav Government to establish mixed Yugoslav-Romanian commissions for the investigation and ascertainment of frontier incidents.

Romania / Yugoslavia – January 26, 1950 (PIR)
The Romanian Government sends a note to the Yugoslav Government, unmasking the imperialistic politics of the latter. It was an action imposed by Moscow as a reaction to Tito’s attitude.

Yugoslavia / U.K. – January 26, 1950 (PVC)
Tito receives British Ambassador Charles Peake and emphasizes the importance of Western economic aid to Yugoslavia.

Hungary – January 27, 1950 (HC) 
The Council of Ministers approves the proposal about the salaries of the public servants. According to the March 1 law, the salaries of the public servants increase. Salary of a Minister: HUF 3,850 , college instructor: 1,250-2,200, teacher: 500-1,620, unskilled labor: 320-600.

Hungary – January 28 1950 (REV)
The Military Supreme Court on appeal passes death sentences on Miklós Roediga-Schluga, former manager of the Hungarian-Soviet Shipping PLC, László Varga, former president, and Ernő Lux, former manager of Hungarian State Railways, and Ödön Magasházy, former chief engineer of Manfréd Weiss Works in Csepel. Mrs Jenő Pongrátz is given a life sentence. The executions are carried out on February 4.

Poland / France – January 28, 1950 (KCA)
In a note the Polish Government announces that it will carry out contracts that were already signed with France, but would suspend the placing of new orders in France under the trade agreement of 1948 until a new payments agreement is negotiated.

Yugoslavia / Bulgaria – January 29, 1950 (KCA)
The District People’s Court sentences two former Yugoslav army officers who had deserted to Bulgaria in the summer of 1949 and had returned to Yugoslavia to organize Cominform sympathizers for an armed uprising. They plead guilty of espionage and of diversionary activity, and are shot.

GDR – January 30, 1950 (KCA)
The flow of traffic from Western Germany to Berlin is almost back to normal, although inspection of papers and freight are strictly carried out.

Yugoslavia / U.K. – January 30, 1950 (KCA)
It is announced in London that negotiations for a 2,500,000 British pound  bank credit to Yugoslavia are completed.

Romania – January 31, 1950 (PIR)
The CC Plenary of the General Confederation of Labor is opened.

U.S. – January 31, 1950 (LBC)
President Truman instructs the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission to develop the hydrogen bomb.

Yugoslavia / India / Burma – February 1950 (RYN)
Josip Djerdja is assigned to New Delhi as Yugoslavia's first Ambassador to India. He is also accredited as Ambassador to Burma when diplomatic relations are established in February 1951.

Bulgaria – February 1, 1950 (KCA)
After the death of Vassil Kolarov, the National Assembly elects Vulko Chervenkov to the Premiership.

Soviet Union / Japan – February 1, 1950 (KCA)
Soviet Ambassadors in London, Washington and Beijing deliver notes to the British, U.S. and Chinese Governments proposing that an international military court try Emperor Hirohito and four former Japanese generals as war criminals.

Hungary – February 2, 1950 (PVC)
A staged trial of a group of Hungarian citizens accused of the murder of Imre Kiss takes place in Szeged, Hungary. Three of the accused are sentenced to death. Two of the verdicts are carried out on the same day.

Romania / Vietnam – February 3, 1950 (PIR)
Romania establishes diplomatic relations at the level of embassy with the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.

Soviet Union / US / Japan – February 3, 1950 (KCA)
The U.S. State Department issues an official reply to the Soviet note of February 1, declaring that the Soviet’s principle motive was to divert attention away from its failure to repatriate or otherwise explain the fate of more than 370,000 Japanese prisoners of war detained on Soviet territory.

Hungary – February 5, 1950 (KCA)
Compulsory military service in Hungary is extended from two to three years, starting at the age of 20.

Hungary – February 5, 1950 (HC)
The National Planning Office publishes a report on the execution of the Five-Year Plan.

Romania / Soviet Union – February 5, 1950 (PIR)
The Romanian and Soviet Governments conclude a convention regarding the deployment of Soviet specialists in Romania.

Poland / France – February 6, 1950 (KCA)
In Szczecin the trial of two French and four Polish citizens on charges of espionage begins. It is reported that all of the defendants plead guilty.

GDR – February 8, 1950 (KCA)
The Volkskammer (Lower House) of the Eastern German Parliament passes a law establishing a Ministry of State Security.

China / Soviet Union / Japan – February 8, 1950 (KCA)
The Chinese Communist Government in Beijing announces its support for the Soviet proposal for the arrest and trial of Emperor Hirohito as a war criminal.

Soviet Union / U.S. – February 8, 1950 (LBC)
Secretary of State Acheson rejects proposals for a Soviet-American atomic agreement prior to the development of the hydrogen bomb.

GDR – February 11, 1950 (KCA)
The Western Commandants in Berlin accuse the Soviet authorities of banning the export of scrap metal from Berlin to West Germany in defiance of the Paris agreement for lifting the blockade.

Czechoslovakia – February 14, 1950 (KCA)
The Czechoslovak Cabinet issues a decree for the creation of a single State Bank that will incorporate the four existing Government-owned banks.

Poland / France – February 14, 1950 (KCA)
At the trial in Szczecin (Febuary 6) all of the prisoners previously tried are found guilty. One man receives death while the others receive sentences ranging from 8 to 15 years’ imprisonment.

Soviet Union / U.K. / U.S. – February 14, 1950 (LBC)
Former British Prime Minister Churchill proposes a summit between Stalin, Truman and the forthcoming British Prime Minister in order to forestall an atomic arms race. Former Foreign Secretary Eden comes up with a similar proposal.

Soviet Union / China – February 14, 1950 (PLC)
As a result of the December 16, 1949-February 14, 1950 Moscow visit of Mao Zedong, a Chinese-Soviet agreement on friendship and mutual assistance is signed for 30 years, invalidating the 1945 Stalin-Csang Kai-Shek agreement. The economic terms of this agreement are unfavorable to the Chinese side.

Romania – February 15, 1950 (KCA)
The Romanian Government issues a decree effective from April 1, prohibiting lawyers from engaging in private legal practice, placing them under the control of the Ministry of Justice.

Soviet Union / France / U.K. / U.S. – February 15, 1950 (LBC)
In a reaction to Churchill’s February 14 proposal, British Foreign Secretary Bevin states that arms limitation has to be realized through the U.N. U.S. President Truman announces his willingness to receive Stalin in Washington, but refuses the idea of a tripartite meeting.

Romania / Indonesia – February 16, 1950 (PIR)
The Romanian Government recognizes the United States of Indonesia, establishing diplomatic relations at the level of embassy.

Hungary / UK / US  – February 17, 1950 (KCA)
The trial of Robert Vogeler, Edgar Sanders, and five Hungarians opens in Budapest. It is reported that all defendants plea guilty.

Romania – February 17, 1950 (PIR)
The Council of Ministers approves the Statute for the organization and functioning of the RPR Academy.

Romania – February 18, 1950 (PIR)
The State Committee for the Collection of Agricultural Products is founded. The Committee would compile plans for the collection, contracting and purchasing of agricultural products and would run the operations of collecting the mandatory deliveries of agricultural products.

Bulgaria / U.S. – February 20, 1950 (KCA)
The U.S. breaks off diplomatic relations with Bulgaria after it refused to withdraw the accusations it expressed towards U.S. Minister Heath.

Czechoslovakia / US – February 20-28, 1950 (KCA)
Six U.S. Mormon missionaries are expelled from Czechoslovakia on grounds that they constituted a danger to the safety and security of the State, bringing the number of Mormons expelled from the country to 19 since May 1949.

Yugoslavia – February 20, 1950 (PVC)
The British Embassy in Belgrade reports on Tito's latest speech during the election campaign. Tito is unusually honest of the problems facing Yugoslavia, but states that only unconditional trade is possible with the West.

Yugoslavia / U.K. – February 20, 1950 (PVC)
The United Kingdom and Yugoslavia agree that in the future British tourists can visit and travel freely in Yugoslavia.

Hungary / UK / US – February 21, 1950, (HC) (KCA)
The Budapest Courthouse issues its verdict in the Standard-case. General Manager Imre Geiger and section counselor Zoltán Radó receive the death penalty, Robert Vogeler receives 15 years in prison, and Edgar Sanderst receives 13 years in prison. They are charged for spying and sabotage. The U.S. and British Governments denounce the sentences, claiming that the Hungarian Government used harsh interrogation techniques against the people on trial.

Romania – February 21, 1950 (KCA)
It is officially announced in Geneva that the Romanian Minister of Health has sent a telegram to the Director-General of the World Health Organization announcing his Government’s withdrawal from the WHO, claiming that the organization does not correspond to the true needs of the people in the field of health.

Yugoslavia / Vietnam – February 21, 1950 (KCA)
The Yugoslav Government announces its recognition of the Vietminh régime of Ho-Chi-minh and its willingness to exchange diplomatic representatives.

Bulgaria / Sweden / U.S. – February 22, 1950 (KCA)
It is announced that Sweden will represent U.S. interests in Bulgaria.

Hungary – February 22, 1950 (HC) 
At its ceremonious session, the Presidential Council approves the proclamation of the World Congress of the Peace Supporters and makes a proposal about defending peace.

Bulgaria / Yugoslavia – February 22, 1950 (WBA)
The Bulgarian General Administration of Posts unilaterally breaks the protocol on the provisional regulation of postal and telecommunication services between the postal administrations of Bulgaria and Yugoslavia. The breach takes effect on March 1, 1950.

Yugoslavia / Australia – February 22, 1950 (OEH)
Yugoslavia enters into agreement with Australia about the unfreezing of Yugoslav properties seized during World War II.

Bulgaria / Poland / U.S. – February 23, 1950 (KCA)
It is announced that the Polish Government will represent Bulgarian interests in the U.S.

Hungary / UK / US – February 23, 1950 (KCA)
The Hungarian Government requests that Britain and the U.S. should reduce the staff of their legations in Budapest.

Bulgaria / U.S. – February 27, 1950 (LBC)
The U.S. State Department bans U.S. citizens from traveling to Bulgaria.

Czechoslovakia – February 24, 1950 (KCA)
A three-day session of the Central Committee of the Communist Party begins and is addressed by President Gottwald and Ladislav Kopriva, both calling for vigilance against “Titoist agents and imperialist spies” who were said to have penetrated the party.

Bulgaria / U.S. – February 25, 1950 (KCA)
The U.S. Attorney-General announces the freezing of Bulgarian, Hungarian and Romanian bank accounts and other assets in the country, explaining that the action is being taken because of the delays in the payment of American claims in those three countries.

Hungary – February 25-26, 1950 (HC) 
The first national meeting of the Stakhanovites takes place in Budapest.

Soviet Union – February 25, 1950 (KCA)
Moscow radio announces that the Soviet Government has created a Ministry of Navy separate from the Ministry of the Armed Forces, which had been renamed the War Ministry.

Yugoslavia / Brazil – February 25, 1950 (OEH)
Yugoslavia signs a trade agreement with Brazil.

Hungary – February 26, 1950 (KCA)
It is officially announced in Budapest that Gyula Ortutay, the Minister of Education and Religious Affairs, and István Kossa, the Minister of Finance, had resigned on February 24. The Government announces a number of other Cabinet changes.

Romania – February 26, 1950 (PIR)
A decision of the CC of PMR and of the Council of Ministers is taken on measures for the increase in labor productivity and for the improvement in the living conditions of workers, technicians and clerks.

Hungary / U.K. – February 27, 1950 (KCA)
In a note to the Hungarian Government, Britain refuses to comply with Hungary’s request made on February 23.

Poland – February 27, 1950 (KCA)
The Polish Government issues a statement accusing the Roman Catholic Bishops of trying to preserve the hierarchy’s medieval privileges in Poland, but also promises protection to patriotic priests. At the same time it states that the Government will respect religious freedom, but gives warnings that relations between Church and State could not be normalized.

Yugoslavia – February 27, 1950 (PVC)
Tito delivers a speech at the third congress of the Serbian People's Front. He makes no reference to the Western powers but emphasizes the independence of Yugoslavia.

Czechoslovakia – February 28, 1950 (KCA)
The Minister of Interior announces that a Communist Deputy, Andrew Roba, has been deprived of his seat in the National Assembly and that two others have resigned.

Soviet Union – February 28, 1950 (KCA)
The Soviet Government announces that the rouble will be revalued against sterling and the U.S. dollar, and will henceforth be placed on a gold basis.

Poland – March 1950 (PLC)
The Polish administration is restructured following the Soviet model.

Hungary – March 1950 (REV)
Construction of the forced labour camp at Recsk begins. Most of those held there have not been tried or in some cases have suffered internment. The first 100–200 prisoners begin to raise primitive huts. The perimeter is guarded by the Internal Force of the State Protection Office (ÁVH).

Poland – Mach 1950 (PSN)
Poland withdraws from the International Monetary Fund and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), calling them instruments of American imperialism.

East Germany / U.K. / Soviet Union ­– March 1, 1950 (KCA)
It is announced in London that the British Government, having failed to obtain satisfaction from the Soviet Control Commission in Berlin, has sent a note to the Soviet Government requesting it to fulfill its obligation to protect British interests and property in the Soviet zone of Berlin.

Romania / Bulgaria – March 1, 1950 (PIR)
A delegation of the People’s Republic of Bulgaria arrives for the Romanian-Bulgarian festival.

Yugoslavia / U.S. – March 1, 1950 (LYE)
A second Eximbank credit of $20 million is authorized to include cotton and other raw materials desperately needed for consumer goods.

Czechoslovakia / The Neatherlands – March 2, 1950 (KCA)
The trial of Dutch businessman Johannes Louwers on charges of treason, espionage and sabotage along with nine Czechoslovak nationals begins in Prague. Three other Czechoslovak nationals are charged in absentia. Eight of the defendants, including Louwers, plead guilty.

Romania / UK / US – March 3, 1950 (KCA)
Following a request from the Romanian Government, the British Information Office in Bucharest and the library maintained by the U.S. Services of Information are closed down to “protect national interests”.

Romania – March 3, 1950 (PIR)
The Plenary session of the CC of UTM takes place.

Bulgaria / U.S. – March 4, 1950 (KCA)
The U.S. State Department publishes an affidavit said to have been prepared by Mihail Shipkov, a former translator at the U.S. Legation in Sofia, which describes how he had been forced to confess to charges of treason by the police.

Hungary / US – March 4, 1950 (KCA)
In a note to the Hungarian Government, the U.S. refuses to comply with Hungary’s request of February 23.

Soviet Union – March 5, 1950 (PLC)
Roman Suhevic, the head of the UPA dies in a battle near Lvov. The anti-Soviet partisan fight in West Ukraine is practically over.

Albania – March 6, 1950 (KCA)
Albania notifies the World Health Organization of its withdrawal from the organization.

Bulgaria / US – March 6, 1950 (KCA)
The trial of Shipkov and four other Bulgarians opens in Sofia. All of the defendants reportedly plead guilty to charges of supplying U.S. Minister Heath and members of U.S. intelligence services with information on Bulgarian military installations, airports and factory productions; spreading rumors intended to damage the régime; and illegally attempting to cross the frontier to continue activities abroad. All of the defendants are found guilty.  Sentences ranging from 4 years and 5 months, to 15 years imprisonment are given.

Poland – March 6, 1950 (KCA)
The Polish Prime Minister submits to the National Assembly the draft for a law to nationalize all Church estates of more than 100 hectares.

Czechoslovakia / The Netherlands – March 7, 1950 (KCA)
The Czechoslovak Government demands the recall within eight days of three officials at the Netherlands Legation.

Hungary – March 7, 1950 (HC) 
The number 70/1950 order of the Council of Ministers is released about the official news agency MTI to be turned into an independent organization and about the establishment of the Office of the Hungarian Radio.

Czechoslovakia / The Netherlands March 8, 1950 (KCA)
The Dutch Government demands the recall of two officials at the Czechoslovak Legation at The Hague within 8 days.

Romania / France / Italy – March 8, 1950 (KCA)
French and Italian cultural centers in Bucharest close down to avoid compulsory closure.

Hungary / UK – March 9, 1950 (KCA)
The Hungarian Government declares Lt.-Col. Capron and Mr. Southby personae non grata grata for their implication in the Sanders-Vogeler trial and demands that the British Council cease its activities in Hungary.
The British Government fulfills the demand on March 10.

Hungary / US – March 10, 1950 (KCA) (HC)
The Hungarian Government demands the recall of three American diplomats, Colonel Kraft, Lt-Col. Hoyne and Major Griffin for their implication in the Sanders-Vogeler trial. The United States fulfills the demand on March 13.

Hungary – March 11, 1950 (HC)
The Council of Ministers decides to eliminate the People’s Court until March 31.

Austria / Soviet Union – March 11, 1950 (PVC)
British diplomats report from Vienna that the Austrian Government will not regard the Belorussian émigrés as political refugees. Therefore, it will forbid to grant them entry visas.

Hungary / U.K. – March 12, 1950 (KCA)
The Foreign Office in London announces that the staff of the British Council will be recalled from Budapest.

Hungary / US – March 13, 1950 (KCA)
The U.S. State Department announces that Kraft and Griffin will leave Budapest and that Griffin, currently on leave, will not return to Hungary.

GDR – March 13, 1950 (KCA)
After a special meeting in Berlin, the East German Government adopts a resolution condemning agreements between France and the Saar, describing them as an “open and brutal annexation of the Saar by a foreign imperialist power”.

Yugoslavia / Italy – March 13, 1950 (KCA)
The Yugoslav Government announces that the Yugoslav zone of Trieste, Zone B, has been completely incorporated into the Yugoslav economy.

Czechoslovakia / The Neatherlands – March 14, 1950 (KCA)
In the trial that started on March 2, all of the defendants are found guilty. Louwers is sentenced to life imprisonment, while other sentences range from three to 25 years imprisonment.

Czechoslovakia – March 14, 1950 (KCA)
It is officially announced in Prague that the Czechoslovak Foreign Minister Vladimir Clementis has resigned and was succeeded by Vilem Siroky. No reason was given for his resignation.

Poland – March 15, 1950 (KCA)
The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Monetary Fund in Washington announce that Poland has withdrawn from membership of both organizations.

Soviet Union / France – March 15, 1950 (KCA)
The Soviet Union hands a note to the French Ambassador in Moscow denying that any French prisoners of war are still in the Soviet Union.  It also states that about 200,000 Soviet citizens are awaiting repatriation in France and in the French zones of Germany and Austria.

Hungary – March 16, 1950 (REV)
A Government order declares Easter Monday a working day. Epiphany, Ascension Day and the Feast of Saint Peter and Paul ceased to be public holidays already in 1949.

Soviet Bloc / U.S. – March 16, 1950 (LBC)
Acheson announces his three point peace plan. It includes peace treaties with Germany, Austria and Japan, the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Eastern Europe and free elections in the region.

Poland / U.K. – March 17, 1950 (KCA)
Poland and the U.K. review the first year of their trade agreement and make arrangements for the following year.

Romania / U.K. – March 17, 1950 (KCA)
It is announced in London that the British Government has presented a note to the Romanian Government calling for the closure of the information office of the Romanian Legation in London and the suspension of the publication Romanian News produced by that office.

Romania – March 17, 1950 (PIR)
Teohari Georgescu, Chivu Stoica and Iosif Chişinevski become Deputy Prime Ministers.

Yugoslavia / Mexico – March 17, 1950 (OEH)
Yugoslavia signs a trade agreement with Mexico.

Soviet Union / Egypt – March 18, 1950 (KCA)
It is announced in Cairo that Egypt will receive 100,000 tons of wheat from the Soviet Union in return for an unspecified amount of short staple cotton.

Romania – March 19-21, 1950 (PIR)
Following the congress of the Consumption Cooperative in Bucharest, the Central Union of Consumption Cooperatives (Centrocoop) is founded.

Czechoslovakia – March 20, 1950 (KCA)
The heads of all non-Catholic religious bodies in Czechoslovakia take the oath of allegiance required under the Church Law.

Czechoslovakia / Israel – March 20, 1950 (KCA)
After negotiating for several months, Czechoslovakia and Israel sign a trade agreement in Prague for an exchange of goods valued at 3,000,000 pounds sterling over the next year.

Poland – March 20, 1950 (PSN)
A law is passed giving the state control of denominational unions, particularly those of the Roman Catholic Church. The income from these estates will be used to establish a Church fund. The takeover of Catholic Church real estate is said to be a continuation of the agrarian reform.

Poland – March 20, 1950 (KCA)
The Polish National Assembly unanimously adopts a law abolishing all former organs of local government and instituting in their place a system of elected People’s Councils analogous to those in the Soviet Union.

Soviet Union / France / U.K. / U.S. – March 20-25, 1950 (LBC)
There is no agreement at the Geneva meeting of the U.N. Agricultural Committee for the Western powers to purchase more Soviet grain and East European foodstocks.

Yugoslavia / Romania / U.N. – March 20, 1950 (WBA)
The Sub-Committee for Railway Transport of the U.N. European Economic Commission passes Resolution No. 34 noting that the break in railway traffic between Yugoslavia and Romania is harmful to international traffic, and calls upon the Romanian Government to explain the reasons behind its decision.

Czechoslovakia – March 21, 1950 (KCA)
Czechoslovakia’s withdrawal from the World Health Organization is announced in Prague.

Romania – March 21, 1950 (KCA)
A shuffle in the Romanian Cabinet occurs.

FRG / GDR – March 22, 1950 (KCA)
The Government in Bonn proposes a procedure for all-German elections to take place, but the Eastern German Government rejects it.

Hungary – March 24, 1950 (HC) 
The Council of Ministers agrees that the Weiss Manfréd Corporations should be renamed after Mátyás Rákosi.

Yugoslavia – March 26, 1950 (KCA)
Elections take place throughout the country for both the Federal Council and the Council of Nationalities.

Bulgaria – March 27, 1950 (KCA)
The Bulgarian National Assembly decides, on the proposal of Prime Minister Chervenkov, to release Foreign Minister Poptomov and Defense Minister Damianov from their offices.

Soviet Union / China – March 27, 1950 (KCA)
The Soviet Union and China sign agreements establishing two mixed Sino-Soviet joint stock companies for the respective exploitation of oil and non-ferrous metal resources in the Chinese province of Sinkiang.

Yugoslavia – March 28, 1950 (KCA)
The U.S. Ambassador in Belgrade announces that the U.S. and Yugoslavia have concluded an agreement to lift the 1946 State Department-imposed ban on travel for American nationals visiting Yugoslavia.

Yugoslavia – March 29, 1950 (KCA)
It is announced that 93.23% of the electorate took part in the election. Representatives for the People’s Front received 94.2% of the vote for the Federal Council and 93.5% in the Council of Nationalities.

Romania – March 30, 1950 (PIR)
The Holy Synod of the Patriarchy meets in an ordinary session to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Patriarchy.

Czechoslovakia / Hungary – March 31, 1950 (HC)
According to the census held on this day, there are 367,733 Hungarians in Czechoslovakia. Of these, 354,532 live in Slovakia, the rest in the Czech areas. The number of “reslovakized” is estimated to be around 150,000.

April 1950

Poland – April, 1950 (PSN)
Kazimierz Puzak, Secretary General of the Polish Socialist Party Central Executive Committee, dies in prison.

Czechoslovakia / U.S. – April 1, 1950 (LBC)
The U.S. forces Czechoslovakia to close consulates in Chicago, Pittsburgh, New York and Cleveland, and reduce diplomatic staff in Wahington. U.S. diplomats are recalled from Prague and the consulate in Bratislava is closed.

Hungary – April 1, 1950 (REV)
The disciplinary court of the Lutheran Church demotes Lajos Ordass from the rank of bishop.

Romania – April 1, 1950 (KCA)
A decree is issued from Bucharest prohibiting Romanian citizens from marrying foreigners except with special permission from the Romanian Government.

Hungary – April 2, 1950 (HC) (REV)
The Presidential Council declares April 4 a public holiday. This was said to be the day in 1945 when the Soviet forces liberated Hungarian territory from German occupation by taking the last village, Nemesmedves. In fact there were German troops on Hungarian territory for several more days.

Romania / U.S. – April 6, 1950 (PIR)
Romania protests the denial of entry visa to the U.S. for the Romanian delegation to the Permanent Committee for the Defense of Peace in the RPR, which intended to take part in an international reunion. In response, Romanian authorities close the American Information Office in Bucharest.
           
Romania – April 8, 1950 (PIR)
Romania ratifies the Inter-European Convention of Radio-diffusion, signed on September 15, 1948, in Copenhagen.

Yugoslavia / Italy – April 8, 1950 (KCA)
The Italian Foreign Minister offers to commence direct negotiations with Yugoslavia on the future of the Trieste territory as a first step towards a general agreement between the two countries. However he stresses that such an agreement is conditional on the return to Italian sovereignty of Zone A and B of the territory.

Soviet Union / U.S. – April 11, 1950 (KCA)
The Soviet Government issues a note to the U.S. Government alleging that on April 8 a U.S. bomber penetrated Soviet territory in Latvia. The note expresses the resolute protest by the Soviet Government against this violation.

Yugoslavia / Greece – April 11, 1950 (HWC)
Tito makes a confidential approach to General Plastiras, the candidate favored by Yugoslavia at the the Greek Prime Ministry election.

Hungary / U.S. – April 12, 1950 (HC) 
The Government rejects the note of the United States about compensation for the nationalized American corporations.

Soviet Union / Italy – April 12, 1959 (KCA)
The TASS Agency announces that a Soviet note has been presented to the Italian Ambassador in Moscow accusing Italy of violating the reparations clauses of the Italian peace treaty and deliberately delaying a correct statement of its assets in Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary. The Italian Foreign Ministry expresses surprise at the Soviet note, rejecting every accusation.

Soviet Union / China – April 13, 1959 (KCA)
The Soviet Union and China announce that they have ratified a 30 year Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship, Alliance and Mutual Assistance.

Poland – April 14, 1950 (PSN)
An agreement between the Polish Government and the Polish episcopate is signed. The document has nineteen points including a guarantee of the teaching of religion in school, the continuation of Catholic charities and associations, and pastoral services in the army prisons and hospitals. The Church agrees to “teach the faithful to respect law and authority”, “counteract the efforts of underground gangs” and “oppose all efforts to provoke war”.

Hungary / U.K. – April 18, 1950 (KCA)
It is announced in London that the British Government has asked the Hungarian Government to discontinue the activities of the Hungarian Cultural Institute in London and to recall Janos Aczel, an attaché at the Hungarian Legation in London.

Soviet Union / U.S. – April 18, 1950 (KCA)
The U.S. Government presents a note to the Soviet Government stating that, based on its investigation, the Soviet military had fired on the unarmed U.S. Privateer.

Czechoslovakia / US – April 19, 1950 (KCA)
The Czechoslovak Government orders the closing down of U.S.I.S. libraries in Prague and Bratislava, demanding the recall of Kolarek, who was accused of using the libraries to disseminate untruthful reports about Czechoslovakia.

Poland – April 19, 1950 (PSN)
The Labor Discipline Act also known as Socialist Labor Discipline is passed. It provides for court imposed pay cuts of up to 25%.

Soviet Union / U.S. – April 19, 1950 (KCA)
The U.S. Senate unanimously votes to award posthumous decorations to the ten naval airmen lost in the missing Privateer.

GDR / West Berlin  – April 20, 1950 (KCA)
In Berlin the Western City Assembly unanimously adopts a resolution asking for the four Commandants to agree to free citywide elections.

Romania – April 20, 1950 (KCA) (PIR)
A decree is issued from Bucharest immediately nationalizing all fixed property owned by industry, rural landowners, bankers, large commercial concerns and other “elements of the major bourgeoisie”. Part of the residence fund in cities is also nationalized.

Yugoslavia / Italy / Trieste – April 20, 1950 (KCA)
In an interview with foreign press consultants, Yugoslav Foreign Minister criticizes Italy’s anti-Yugoslav attitude on the Trieste question, but declares that the Yugoslav Government is prepared to negotiate with Italy.

Yugoslavia / India – April 20, 1950 (RYN)
The Yugoslav Embassy is opened in New Delhi. However, the Indian Government does not accredit a permanent Ambassador to Yugoslavia until October 1954.

Czechoslovakia / U.S. – April 21, 1950 (KCA)
The U.S. Government orders the closure of the Czechoslovak Consulate-General in Chicago, and repudiates the charges against Kolarek.

East Germany – April 21, 1950 (KCA)
The three Western Powers agree to the resolution of the Western City Assembly on April 20 and pass it on to the Soviet Commandant, appealing for his consent.

Soviet Union / US – April 21, 1950 (KCA)
The Soviet Government responds to the U.S. note of April 18, denying the allegations presented against the county.

Soviet Union – April 21, 1950 (KCA)
The TASS Agency issues a statement announcing the complete repatriation of all Japanese prisoners of war from the Soviet Union.

Hungary – April 24, 1950 (REV)
Árpád Szakasits, Chairman of the Presidential Council, is arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment. His successor is Sándor Rónai, also a former Social Democrat.

Soviet Union / France – April 24, 1950 (KCA)
It is announced in Moscow that the Soviet Ambassador to France Alexander Bogomolov has been appointed a Deputy Foreign Minister in the Soviet Cabinet and that he will be succeeded in Paris by Alexei Pavlov.

Czechoslovakia – April 25, 1950 (KCA)
Prague announces a number of changes in the Czechoslovak Cabinet.

Romania / UK / US – April 25-29, 1950 (PIR)
The trial of those active in the information offices of the British and American legacies – Costica Mugur, Anny and Nora Samuelly, Eleonora Bunea-Wied, Liviu Popescu – takes place at the Military Tribunal in Bucharest. The functionaries suffer condemnations varying between 15 years to lifetime forced labor.

Romania / U.S. – April 26, 1950 (LBC)
As a reprisal for the closing of the Bucharest office of the USIS, the U.S. bans Romania’s commercial office in New York.

Bulgaria / Hungary / Romania / U.S. – April 27, 1950 (LBC)
The U.S. calls on Hungary, Bulgaria and Romania to appoint members to the committee, which will investigate the alleged human rights violations of the three states.

Yugoslavia / Greece / Soviet Union / U.N. – April 27, 1950 (PVC)
Tito delivers a three-hour long speech at the opening session of the National Assembly. His speech mostly deals with economic matters and summarizes the main lines of Yugoslav foreign policy. Tito excludes the possibility of war or other kind of Soviet aggression against Yugoslavia but sees some possibilities for the improvement of Greek-Yugoslav relations. With regard to the colonies, Yugoslavia will protect the rights of the newly emerging independent states.

Czechoslovakia / U.S. – April 28, 1950 (KCA)
The Czechoslovak Government declares that the U.S. should reduce its diplomatic staff in Czechoslovakia by two-thirds on the grounds that U.S. officials are engaging in anti-state activities.

Romania / Mongolia – April 29, 1950 (PIR)
Romania establishes diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of Mongolia.

Romania – April 30, 1950 (PIR)
Admiral Gheorghe Koslinski dies in the Aiud prison.

May 1950

Yugoslavia / Greece – May 1950 (SGY)
The Greek Government makes strenuous efforts to persuade the Western Powers to pressure Yugoslavia into repatriating the Greek children taken to Yugoslavia during the civil war as soon as possible, and to do so without making the issue subject to political negotiations.

Hungary – May 3, 1950 (HC) 
The Central Leadership of the Hungarian Worker’s Party releases a letter about the establishment of the youth section of the party.

Yugoslavia – May 3, 1950 (ACY)
Patriarch Gavrilo, Head of the Serbian Orthodox Church, dies. The funeral takes place on May 11.

Poland – May 4, 1950 (KCA)
It is announced in Warsaw that Alexander Zawadzki, a member of the Politburo of the Polish United Workers Party and a former Governor of Upper Silesia, has been appointed a third Deputy Prime Minister in the Polish Cabinet, and that Kazimierz Mijal, former director of the Presidential Chancellery, has been appointed Minister of Communal Economy.

Soviet Union / FRG / GDR – May 4, 1950 (KCA) (PLC)
The TASS Agency issues a statement announcing that all 1.9 million German prisoners of war were released. However, it is believed that approximately 30,000 were released only by 1956.

Czechoslovakia – May 5, 1950 (KCA)
It is announced in Prague that Dr. Husak, the Communist chairman of the Slovak Board of Commissioners, along with Novomesky, another Commissioner, have been dismissed. No reason was officially given, but in a speech given at the opening of the Congress of the Slovak Communist Party, Foreign Minister Siroky declared that the two were guilty of promoting Slovak separatism.

Czechoslovakia – May 5, 1950 (KCA)
It is announced that General Drgac, the Czechoslovak Chief of Staff, has been dismissed and will be succeeded by General Jaroslav Prochazka.

Romania – May 5-6, 1950 (PIR)
Massive arrests of former ministers and dignitaries from the old regime begin.  The majority of them are imprisoned in Sighet.

Yugoslavia – May 5, 1950 (PVC)
Phylis Auty interviews Tito, who replies honestly to questions about the Yugoslav situation. He talks about economic hardships and admits that in the past the authorities resorted to sheer force against those who opposed the current regime.

Yugoslavia – May 6, 1950 (BST)
On St. George's Day (Djurdjevdan), which in Balkan peasant tradition signalled the beginning of the annual hajduk (outlaw) actions against the Turks, the predominantly Muslim peasants of the Cazin frontier in Bosnia protest. The peasants try to seize the town of Cazin and march to Bihać. The rebellion is quickly subdued and nine participants are killed in the action. The authorities arrest 714 persons; 288 of them are tried by a military tribunal, which metes out stiff punishments, including 17 death sentences.

Hungary – May 7, 1950 (HC)
The number 133/1950 order of the Council of Ministers establishes independent farmers’ cooperatives, and the regulations of their operations.

GDR / West Berlin / Soviet Union – May 8, 1950 (KCA)
Colonel Yelizarov presents the conditions on which the Soviet authorities will allow citywide elections in Berlin.

Hungary – May 8-12, 1950 (HC) 
The Parliament approves the resignation of the Chairman of the Presidential Council Árpád Szakasits, and elects Sándor Rónai as his successor.

Hungary / U.K. – May 9, 1950 (HC) 
The Government rejects the note of the United Kingdom about compensation of the nationalized British corporations.

GDR / West Berlin / Soviet Union – May 10, 1950 (KCA)
The Western Commandants reject the conditions imposed by the Soviets regarding citywide elections in Berlin.

Hungary – May 10, 1950 (KCA)
Geiger and Radó are executed after being found guilty of espionage in the Standard trial.

Poland / Soviet Union – May 10, 1950 (PSN)
Poland is the first state to sign the Stockholm Appeal for the elimination of nuclear weapons.

Hungary / UK / US – May 11, 1950 (KCA)
The Hungarian Supreme Court rejects the appeal in the case of Vogeler and Sanders, and confirms their sentences.

Hungary – May 11, 1950 (HC) 
Parliament approves a law establishing local councils.

Yugoslavia / U.S. – May 11, 1950 (CUY)
The CIA prepares its latest evaluation on Yugoslavia, titled “Evaluation of Soviet-Yugoslav Relations, 1950”.

Czechoslovakia / UK – May 12, 1950 (KCA)
The Czechoslovak Government orders the closing down of the British Information Office in Prague and of the British Council’s offices in Prague, Bratislava and Brno, denouncing the British-Czechoslovak cultural agreement of June 1947.

Czechoslovakia / US – May 13, 1950 (KCA)
The U.S. reduces its staff in Czechoslovakia as requested and orders a similar cut in the number of Czechoslovak diplomatic officials in the U.S. It demands the closure of Czechoslovak consulates in Cleveland and Pittsburg.

Soviet Union / Iran / US – May 14, 1950 (KCA)
The Soviet Ambassador in Teheran issues a note to the Iranian Foreign Ministry protesting the alleged employment of foreign, and especially American, engineers by the Iranian Oil Company.

Czechoslovakia / UK – May 15, 1950 (KCA)
The British Government orders the closing of the Czechoslovak Institute in London.

Yugoslavia / Greece – May 15, 1950 (KCA)
It is announced that the Greek and Yugoslav Governments have decided to set up a joint commission to discuss the linking of Greek and Yugoslav railway, postal, telegraphic and telephone communications.

Yugoslavia – May 15, 1950 (KCA)
The central committee of the Yugoslav Trade Federation decides to withdraw from the World Federation of Trade Unions until the latter alters its policy and “hostile” attitude towards Yugoslavia.

Yugoslavia / Soviet Union / U.K. – May 15, 1950 (PVC)
Another discussion takes place between Tito and British Ambassador Charles Peake. Tito again excludes the possibility of a Soviet military attack against Yugoslavia in 1950.

GDR / Soviet Union – May 16, 1950 (KCA)
The Soviet Union agrees to a reduction in German reparations from current production to one-half of the amount following a request from the East German Government.

Yugoslavia / Greece – May 16, 1950 (SGY)
The Yugoslav Foreign Minister addresses the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Yugoslav National Assembly and reaffirms the decision of his government to improve relations with Greece.

Romania – May 17, 1950 (PIR)
General Henry Cihosky, former Minister of War (1928-1930), dies in the Sighet prison.

Hungary / U.K. – May 18, 1950 (KCA)
The Hungarian Government hands a note to the British Minister in Budapest declaring three British personnel to be personae non gratae, demanding their recall by May 23.

Hungary / UK – May 19, 1950, (HC) (KCA)
The British Government requests that János Nagy, an attaché at the Hungarian Legation in London, leave the country before May 23.

Hungary – May 19, 1950 (KCA)
The Hungarian Government announces its withdrawal from the World Health Organization. The Council of Ministers says that the organization does not support health institutions but imposes high membership fees.

Soviet Union / Iran – May 19, 1950 (KCA)
The Iranian Government issues a reply to the Soviet note, expressing surprise at the Soviet concern over a purely Iranian domestic matter.

Hungary – May 20, 1950 (REV)
In connection with the Rajk trial, the Supreme Court convicts Ferenc Vági, Press Department head at the Prime Minister’s Office, of spying and conspiracy against the state and sentences him to death. Endre Szebenyi, state secretary at the Interior Ministry, and András Villányi, a former police general, are sentenced to death in a separate trial. The sentences are carried out on May 26.

Yugoslavia / Greece – May 21, 1950 (KCA)
It is officially announced that, in accordance with their decision to normalize Greek-Yugoslav relations, the Greek and Yugoslav governments have appointed ambassadors to each others’ countries.

Soviet Union / Sweden – May 22, 1950 (KCA)
The Swedish Foreign Minister announces that the Soviet Government has rejected a strong Swedish protest against the interception and detention of Swedish fishing vessels in the Baltic.

Czechoslovakia – May 23, 1950 (KCA)
The establishment of a Ministry of Public Security headed by Ladislav Kopriva is announced in Prague.

GDR / France / U.K. / U.S. / Soviet Union  – May 23, 1950 (KCA)
The U.S., British and French Governments present notes to the Soviet Government protesting the creation in Eastern Germany of a militarized police force that is about 50,000 strong, armed with artillery, tanks, and other military equipment.  The governments emphasize that the creation of this quasi-military force constitutes a violation of the Yalta Agreement and Potsdam Declaration.

Hungary – May 25, 1950 (KCA)
On the fifth anniversary of the liberation of Budapest by the Red Army, the Hungarian Government issues a decree proclaiming amnesty for all persons convicted of political and economic crimes, except treason and espionage, for those who had “left the country on orders or under the influence of Fascist propaganda, and for Hungarian subjects who had left for the West because of the war, provided that they returned by October 4, 1950.”

GDR / France / U.K. / U.S. / Soviet Union – May 26, 1950 (KCA)
The Allied High Commission in Bonn issues a text of identical letters that the British, French, and U.S. High Commissioners send individually to the Soviet Control Commission in Eastern Germany. In it, the governments propose steps to bring about the political and economic unity of Germany.

Hungary / U.K. / U.S. – May 26, 1950 (HC)
The report of the Hungarian Government to the governments of the United States and the United Kingdom: Hungary has not violated human rights or the peace treaty as it is stated by the International Court of The Hague.

Romania – May 26, 1950 (PIR)
The regime (quotas and prices) for the collection of vegetal agricultural products is established by decree.

Romania / U.S. – May 26, 1950 (LBC)
Romanian diplomats may not leave the 35 mile radius of Washington D.C. The measure comes in response to the limitation of the movement of U.S. diplomats in Romania.

Czechoslovakia / US – May 27, 1950 (KCA)
The U.S. orders the closure of the Czechoslovak Consulate-General in New York, the last reaming one in the country.  It also announces that the U.S. Consulate-General in Bratislava will be closed down, and that the Embassy staff in Prague will number 12.

Romania – May 27, 1950 (PIR)
A plenary session of the CC of the General Confederation of Labor takes place, debating the Labor Code and the budget for the year.

Albania / Yugoslavia – May 30, 1950 (KCA)
It is announced in Belgrade that the Yugoslav Government has recalled its Chargé d’ Affaires and other diplomatic staff from the Albanian capital Tirana, closing down its Legation there.

Romania – May 30, 1950 (PIR)
The works of MAN are concluded with the adoption of the Labor Code. All workers must hold workers’ cards, approved and updated by the enterprise where they are active.

Czechoslovakia – May 31, 1950 (KCA)
The trial of ten men and women, several of whom were prominent members of the Czech National Socialist, Social Democratic and Catholic People’s Party begins. The defendants are charged with treason and espionage, all pleading guilty.

Hungary / Yugoslavia – May 31, 1950 (KCA)
The Hungarian Ministry of Interior announces that as of July 1 the area adjacent to the Yugoslav frontier will become a prohibited zone which only persons holding special permits, and the military or political police, will be allowed to enter. Exceptions are made for Szeged and Nagykanizsa, both of which are towns that lie in the zone.

Hungary – May 31, 1950 (HC)
The resolutionl of the Central Leadership of the Hungarian Workers’ Party on the development of agriculture and the fight against clericalism is released.

Yugoslavia – May 31, 1950 (PVC)
As a response to the peasant unrest, Tito delivers a speech at Prokuplje in Southern Serbia.

June 1950

Poland – June 1, 1950 (KCA)
The Polish Cabinet decides to create three new Polish provinces in the Western (ex-German) territories incorporated since the end of the war.

Yugoslavia / U.S. – June 1950 (LKT)
U.S. Secretary of State Dean Acheson authorizes the service attachés in Belgrade to increase their contacts with Yugoslav military authorities, while cautioning not to engage in any advance planning for material assistance to Yugoslavia.

Hungary – June 1, 1950 (KCA)
József Révai, Hungarian Minister of Education and Politburo member, strongly attacks the Roman Catholic Bishops and religious order in a report presented to the party’s Central Leadership.

Romania – June 1, 1950 (PIR)
The opening ceremony of the Pioneers’ Palace in Bucharest takes place (organized in the Cotroceni Palace).

Yugoslavia / Soviet Union – June 1-4, 1950 (WBA)
Former Yugoslav Army Major General Branko Petričević and former Yugoslav Army Colonel Vladimir Dapčević are tried before the Military Tribunal in Belgrade for their espionage connections with the Military Attaché of the USSR in Belgrade, Major General Ghorghiy Stefanovic Sidorovic.

Poland / Yugoslavia – June 2, 1950 (KCA)
It is announced in Belgrade that the Yugoslav Ambassador in Warsaw has been recalled because of the “insulting and discriminatory conduct” of the Polish authorities to the Yugoslav Embassy.

Poland / GDR – June 5-6, 1950 (KCA)
A delegation from the GDR visits Warsaw for talks with the Polish Government. Officials reach agreements on the demarcation of the Polish-German State frontier on the Oder-Niesse line, on trade and payments for 1950, on the provision of Polish credits to the GRD, technical and scientific cooperation, and cultural exchange.

Hungary / France – June 6, 1950 (KCA)
The Hungarian Government informs the French Legation that the French Military Attaché is considered persona non grata and is required to leave the country within 24 hours.

GDR / Soviet Union – June 7, 1950 (KCA)
It is announced in Berlin that Major-General Kotikov, the Soviet Commandant in Berlin, has been recalled to the USSR and will be replaced by a civilian, Sergei Dengin and that the heads of the Soviet Control Commissions in Brandenburg, Saxony and Thuringia have similarly been replaced by civilian officials.

Hungary – June 7-9, 1950 (REV)
Two thousand monks and nuns are displaced from the border zone with Yugoslavia and from Szentgotthárd, Budapest, and Székesfehérvár. Some 70,000-80,000 persons are later removed from the western and southern border areas.

Romania – June 7, 1950 (KCA)
On the order of the Romanian Government, Luigi Boga, Vicar-General of the Roman Catholic diocese of Alba Julia, is arrested.

Yugoslavia – June 7, 1950 (PVC)
The British Embassy in Belgrade reports on peasant discontent and unrest in Croatia and Macedonia.

Romania – June 8, 1950 (PIR)
Law no. 3, containing the Labor Code, which regulates agreements and collective employments, norms, profits and salaries, labor and leisure hours, and the responsibilities of syndicates, is published.

Hungary – June 9 1950 (REV)
Social Democrat politician Anna Kéthly is arrested and held without trial for four years.

Yugoslavia / Soviet Union – June 9, 1950 (PVC)
Borba publishes a Yugoslav note protesting the navigational manoeuvres of Soviet ships against Yugoslav vessels on the Austrian segment of the Danube.

Romania – June 10, 1950 (PIR)
Decree no. 151, regulating the accumulation and circulation of agricultural goods, is published.

Yugoslavia / Czechoslovakia – June 12, 1950 (WBA)
The Yugoslav Government sends a note of protest to the Czechoslovak Embassy following the groundless arrest and death in prison of Dimitrije Dimitrijević, President of the People’s Front of Yugoslavs in Prague. The Czechoslovak Embassy returns the note without any answers.

Hungary – June 13, 1950 (KCA)
The Ministry of Interior announces the dissolution of all Masonic lodges in Hungary, describing them as “meeting places of the enemies of the people’s republic, capitalist elements, and adherents of Western imperialism”.

Soviet Union / Finland – June 13, 1950 (KCA)
Finland and the Soviet Union sign a new trade treaty, consisting of a short-term agreement for the second half of 1950 and a five year agreement covering the period of 1951-1955.

Hungary – June 15, 1950 (HC)
Local Councils are established in Budapest and in the 19 county capitals.

Romania – June 15, 1950 (PIR)
General Nicolae Macici dies in the Aiud prison.

Czechoslovakia / Belgium / UK – June 16, 1950 (KCA)
The Czechoslovak Government delivers notes to the British Embassy and Belgian Legation, demanding the recall of McLaughlin and Colonel Mauroy within 14 days.

Hungary – June 16-18, 1950 (REV)
The League of Working Youth (DISZ) is established under direct party control and absorbs several other youth organizations that were hitherto formally independent . Mátyás Rákosi, in a speech, urges it to protect the future of young people.

Soviet Union / Italy / France / U.K. / U.S. – June 16, 1950 (KCA)
The U.S., British and French governments deliver notes to the Soviet Government in response to the Soviet’s accusation that they are violating the Italian peace treaty by impeding and establishing a naval base there. The Western notes to the Soviet Government reject these accusations.

Hungary – June 18, 1950 (HC) 
According to the Szabad Nép, the Council of Ministers raises the investments in 1950 with 900 million forints.

GDR /Soviet Union – June 21, 1950 (KCA)
It is announced in Berlin that under a protocol signed by the Soviet Control Commission and the East German Government, authority to “administer and protect” foreign property in its territory has been transferred by the Soviet authorities to the German Democratic Republic, who will conduct negotiations with the foreign countries regarding the property. The ultimate fate of the property will depend on a future peace treaty.

Soviet Union / Iran / US  – June 22, 1950 (KCA)
The Soviet Government issues another note to Iran reiterating the earlier charges that American nationals have made oil surveys along the Soviet-Iranian frontier, creating a threat to the Soviet Union.

Czechoslovakia / GDR – June 23, 1950 (KCA)
It is announced that East Germany and Czechoslovakia have signed a joint declaration of co-operation, along with cultural, technical/scientific and financial agreements.

Hungary – June 23, 1950 (HC)
Minister of the Interior János Kádár resigns after he was entrusted with a “special, important party work”. His successor is Sándor Zöld.

Romania / US – June 23, 1950 (PIR)
The Romanian government protests measures taken by the American authorities against members of the Romanian Legation in Washington.

Yugoslavia – June 24, 1950 (PVC)
Josip, the Metropolitan of Skopje, head of the Orthodox Holy Synod, is arrested shortly before the election of the new patriarch takes place.

Korea – June 25, 1950 (HC)
The Korean War begins.

Romania – June 26, 1950 (PIR)
State Forest Farms (Gospodării Silvice de State) are organized by law.

Yugoslavia – June 27, 1950 (KCA)
The Yugoslav Assembly unanimously adopts a Bill introducing direct workers’ control and management of all industries.

Soviet Union / U.N. – June 27, 1950 (PLC)
The U.N. Security Council agrees to send troops to Korea (an agreement is reached only because the Soviets are not present at the meeting). The countries of the Soviet Bloc intensify the arms race, preparing for a possible world war.

Hungary – June 28, 1950 (REV)
Talks between the Catholic Conference of Bishops and the Government resume.

Poland – June 28, 1950 (PLC)
Poland finalizes the integration of the Western areas.

Czechoslovakia / US – June 29, 1950 (KCA)
The Czechoslovak Government issues a proclamation on Prague radio blaming the U.S. for introducing the Colorado beetle into the area.

Yugoslavia / Soviet Union / U.S. – June 29, 1950 (HWC)
At the meeting of the National Security Council, the question is raised whether an attack on Yugoslavia by the Soviet (and/or satellites) would vitally affect U.S. interests and whether it would call for U.S. military assistance.

GDR / US / Soviet Union – June 30, 1950 (KCA)
The Soviet Government presents a note to the U.S. stating that it received information from the GDR that between May 22 and June 7 American planes dropped a large number of Colorado beetles, dangerous pests to potato crops, in many districts of the nation.

Yugoslavia / Bulgaria – June 30, 1950 (WBA)
The agreement on the utilization of properties cut by the Yugoslav-Bulgarian frontier line is broken by note of the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Romania – July 1-10, 1950 (PIR)
A peasant revolt against the quotas system takes place in the Ialomiţa district. Incidents involving troops of the militia and the Securitate occur, 96 peasants are arrested.

Yugoslavia – July 1, 1950 (KCA)
Bishop Vikentije Prodanov is elected Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

Soviet Union / Poland – July 3, 1950 (KCA)
It is announced in Moscow and Warsaw that, following negotiations, the Soviet and Polish Governments have agreed that their long term trading agreement of January 1948 was successfully implemented, revealing the possibility of further extending trade in the future.

Albania – July 4, 1950 (PLC)
A Soviet-type constitution is accepted in Albania.

Romania / Vatican – July 5, 1950 (KCA)
The Vatican announces that the Romanian Government has expelled the Papal Nuncio and two of his aides from the country, accusing them of espionage activities.

Poland / GDR – July 6, 1950 (PSN)
Poland and the GDR sign a border agreement in the town of Zgorzelec.

Romania / UK – July 6, 1950 (PIR)
The Secretary of the British Legation in Bucharest (King) is asked to leave the country. The expulsion is due to his alleged connection to Romanian spies.

Soviet Union / U.S. – July 6, 1950 (KCA)
Acheson refutes the Soviet charges that the United States maliciously introduced the Colorado beetle into the area, dismissing the claims as Communist propaganda.

Hungary – July 7, 1950 (REV)
György Marosán, former Justice Minister István Ries, and Imre Vajda (all former Social Democrats) are arrested. Ries dies under interrogation on September 15.

Romania / Vatican – July 7, 1950 (PIR)
Romania breaks diplomatic relations with the Vatican, following numerous arrests connected to the Vatican Legation, the expulsion of the Apostolic Nuncio, Partick O’Hara, and of all foreign functionaries.

Poland – July 9, 1950 (PSN)
It is announced that the Labor Party, a Christian-Democratic Party subordinated to the Communists, would become part of the Democratic Party, another subordinated party.

Romania – July 9-11, 1950 (PIR)
800 peasants in the village of Ghimpaţi (district of Giurgiu) demand the reduction of quotas. In response, a part of the protesters are deported in Dobrogea.

Czechoslovakia / FRG / U.S. – July 10, 1950 (KCA)
The Czechoslovak Government sends a note of protest to the U.S., alleging that the Colorado beetles were intentionally transported by the U.S. in all areas adjunct to the American zones of Germany.

Yugoslavia / France / U.K. / U.S. – July 10, 1950 (HWC)
The American Government issues an invitation to France and Britain to send representatives to Washington to discuss the technical aspects of arms aid to Yugoslavia.

Poland – July 11, 1950 (KCA)
An announcement in Warsaw states that Jerzy Putrament, Polish Ambassador to France since June 1947, has been recalled to Warsaw and will devote himself to political and literary work.

Romania – July 11, 1950 (PIR)
Military prisons are transferred from the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Armed Forces to that of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Czechoslovakia / GDR – July 12, 1950 (KCA)
Czechoslovakia and East Germany sign an agreement for mutual assistance against the Colorado beetle.

Hungary – July 12, 1950 (REV)
Sentences for illegaly leaving the country increase and can now range up to life imprisonment. In subsequent months sentences for wage and norm fraud, speculation and incitement against agricultural cooperatives increase as well.

Hungary / Korea – July 12, 1950 (HC) 
The peace convention of the Hungarian workers supports Korean President Kim Ir Sen in the name of 1,650,000 workers. It states: “Together with the entire world, we demand: Hands off Korea.”

Czechoslovakia – July 14, 1950 (KCA)
An official announcement in Prague states that Dr. Karol Smidke, chairman of the Slovak National Council in Bratislava, has resigned and will be succeeded by Frantisek Kubac. Smidke admitted to “bourgeois nationalistic deviation”, and has resigned from membership of the Czechoslovak Parliament.

Hungary – July 17, 1950 (HC) 
The Presidential Council relieves Justice Minister István Ries SZDP), and elects Erik Molnár (MKP) as his successor.

Hungary / Bulgaria / Romania – July 18, 1950 (HC) 
The International Court of Justice rejects the charges from the Western powers about the discrimination of the churches in Hungary, Bulgaria and Romania.

Soviet Union / Afghanistan – July 18, 1950 (KCA)
After months of negotiations, the Soviet Union and Afghanistan sign a four-year trade agreement, the first between the two countries.

Romania – July 20, 1950 (KCA)
It is officially announced in Bucharest that about 190,000 persons, comprising approximately one fifth of the Romanian Communist Party, were purged between November 1948 and May 1950.

Poland – July 21, 1950 (PSN)
The Diet passes the Six-Year-Plan for Economic Development and the Laying of the Foundations of Socialism. The plan calls for an expansion of heavy industry.

Yugoslavia / Bulgaria – July 22, 1950 (WBA)
The Yugoslav Government sends a note of protest against the Bulgarian Government’s unlawful decision to grant Bulgarian citizenship to some Yugoslav citizens of Bulgarian descent.  The Yugoslav Government also sends a note of protest regarding the unilateral breach by the Bulgarian Government of the Agreement on the Utilization of Property cut by the Yugoslav-Bulgarian Frontier, of August 27, 1947.

Romania – July 23, 1950 (PLC)
In Romania the administrative counties are abolished, in favor of dividing the country into 28 administrative regions. One of the 11 regions of Transylvania is the Stalin region, formed from the counties of Csík, Udvarhely and Háromszék, mostly populated by Hungarians.

Yugoslavia / Peru – July 26, 1950 (OEH)
Yugoslavia enters into a trade agreement with Peru.

Soviet Union / Iran – July 27, 1950 (KCA)
It is announced in Tehran that foreign correspondents will no longer be permitted to visit the Iranian-Soviet border or any part of Azerbaijan to “avoid provocation to the Russians.”

Yugoslavia – July 27, 1950 (PLC) 
According to the recently accepted law, in Yugoslavia the factories are given to the workers’ collectives.

Yugoslavia – July 28, 1950 (KCA)
A 280 mile motorway between Belgrade and Zagreb opens, constituting the biggest single project of the Yugoslav Five-Year Plan.

Yugoslavia / Hungary / Soviet Union – August-September 1950 (PVC)
Continuous reports reach the British Embassies about Soviet military manoeuvres close to the Hungarian-Yugoslav border.

Hungary – August 1, 1950 (REV)
The National Peace Committee of Catholic Priests is formed at the Péter Pázmány University of Sciences in Budapest. This marks the beginning of the “peace priest movement”, combining clergy willing to collaborate with the state authorities. On November 1, a paper called Kereszt (Cross) begins to be published.

Yugoslavia / U.K. – August 6-10, 1950 (PVC)
Labour MP Philip Noel-Baker takes a private visit to Yugoslavia en route to Athens. On August 7, he is received by Foreign Minister Edvard Kardelj and the two discuss the world situation after the outbreak of the Korean War and analyse the possibility of armed attack against Yugoslavia.

Hungary – August 8, 1950 (REV)
The Defence Ministry segregates conscripts in Category C (politically unreliable) and stops them from doing armed service. Over the next year, they are organized into army supply brigades and companies doing construction and later mining work.

Yugoslavia / U.K. – August 8, 1950 (PVC)
Tito receives British Ambassador Charles Peake and discusses with him issues about foreign policy.

Bulgaria / Turkey – August 10, 1950 (KCA)
After commencing the deportation of 250,000 Muslims of Turkish origin from Bulgaria back to Turkey, the Bulgarian Government announces that the repatriation of the Turkish minority is scheduled to be completed within the next three months, declaring that Turkey must accept them under an agreement between the two countries made in 1925.

Romania – August 11, 1950 (PIR)
The titles of Scientist Emeritus, Artist of the People, Master Emeritus of Art, Artist Emeritus, Professor Emeritus and Educator Emeritus are instituted.

Poland – August 15, 1950 (KCA)
The World Health Organization receives notification of Poland’s decision to withdraw from the organization. 

Hungary – August 16, 1950 (HC) (REV)
The Central Leadership of the Hungarian Worker’s Party assembles. Mátyás Rákosi holds an informative session about the case of György Marosán, István Ries, Imre Vajda. György Marosán and other Social-Democratic leaders are arrested. The sentences are carried out on August 19.

Soviet Bloc / U.S. – August 18, 1950 (PLC)
The United States further restricts its export of strategically important materials to the countries of Eastern Europe. During the year the members of NATO (except Iceland), together with Japan and Australia form the COCOM, an organization aiming to control the export of military and technological goods to socialist countries.

Hungary – August 19, 1950 (HC) 
The first socialist fine arts exhibition opens in Budapest. The outstanding artist of the People’s Republic award is given out for the first time.

Romania – August 20, 1950 (PIR)
Constantin (Dinu) I.C. Brătianu, President of PNL (1934 – 1947), dies in the Sighet prison.

Soviet Union – August 21, 1950 (KCA)
The Soviet Council of Ministers issues a decree for the construction of a hydroelectric station on the Volga. Work will commence in 1950 and is scheduled for completion in 1955.

Hungary – August 22, 1950 (HC) 
Led by Ferenc Erdei, a 200-member peasant delegation travels to Moscow. Upon returning, Erdei calls on the Hungarian peasantry to follow the Soviet example and enter the cooperatives.

Romania – August 22, 1950 (PIR)
The Grand National Assembly ratifies Decree no. 211 regarding the renaming of the city Brasov into Oraşul Stalin (The City Stalin).

Bulgaria – August 25, 1950 (KCA)
After a six-day trial, two former Communist party members are sentenced to death, and ten other persons are sentenced to prison terms ranging from 8 to 15 years on charges including economic sabotage, and hindering Soviet-Bulgarian trade negotiations.

Yugoslavia / U.S. – August 25, 1950 (HWC)
After the outbreak of the Korean War, the U.S. National Security Council lists Yugoslavia among the most endangered areas together with Iran, Turkey, Greece, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Finland. A direct Soviet attack is not regarded as very likely, because it is assumed that the Soviet Union is trying to avoid a third world war.  However, a satellite attack (without Soviet participation) is regarded as a real possibility.

Hungary – August 27-Septemer 3, 1950 (HC)
The first Hungarian Mathematical Congress takes place in Budapest.

Yugoslavia / U.K. – August 29, 1950 (PVC)
The British Embassy in Belgrade reports on the meeting between Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign Office William Strang and Tito, surveying the Korean War and the bilateral relations between Greece and Yugoslavia and between Italy and Yugoslavia.

Hungary – August 30, 1950 (HC/REV)
The Government and the Hungarian Catholic Church leadership sign an agreement. The Catholic Church receives permission to operate 4 theological colleges and 8 high schools. 4 convents are also allowed to operate. The Benedictines, the Piarists, the Franciscans and a female order receive permits to operate. The other orders are dissolved on September 7. This affects 635 religious houses and 11,500 monks and nuns.

Romania – August 30, 1950 (PIR)
Alexandru Lepădatu, former Minister of Cults and Arts (1923-1928, 1934-1936), dies in the Sighet penitentiary.
           
Yugoslavia / Greece / U.N. – August 30, 1950 (HWC)
The Yugoslav representative at the U.N. votes in favour of the Soviet motion condemning the “reign of terror” in Greece.

Soviet Union / UK – August 31, 1950 (KCA)
The Foreign Office in London announces its decision to close down the Russian-language weekly newspaper British Ally because of a considerable loss in its circulation.

Hungary – August, 1950 (HC)
The monthly magazine Fórum stops publishing. The editorial board of the Csillag also changes. The head editor and the entire board are fired.

Yugoslavia – September 1950 (KCA)
It is announced that the Central Committee of the Croatian Communist Party has decided to expel three of its most prominent members, Rade Zigic, Dusan Brkic and Stanko Canica Opacic, who are accused of various actions against the Yugoslav State.

Yugoslavia / U.S. – September 1950 (LYE)
The American President of the IBRD, Eugene Black, visits Belgrade on Tito's invitation to discuss Yugoslavia's request for a $25 million loan to purchase mining equipment, a transaction the IBRD does not favour. Previously, Ambassador Popović finds Black's demands for information totally unacceptable and raises the prospect of a complete Yugoslav break with the West as a result. During his stay in Belgrade, Black has a four-hour long discussion with Tito.

East Germany – September 1, 1950 (KCA)
Neues Deutschland, the organ of the Socialist Unity Party in the Soviet sector of Berlin, announces that six leading party members have been expelled and deprived of their positions after investigations by the Party’s Central Committee.
           
Czechoslovakia / Hungary – September 1, 1950 (HC)
The first Hungarian language high school since the war opens in Komarno (Komárom).

Soviet Union / Denmark / Sweeden – September 1, 1950 (KCA)
In notes sent to the Danish and Swedish ministers in Moscow, the Soviet Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejects the July 24 joint Danish-Swedish protest of the Soviet claim to a 12-mile sea limit in the Baltic.

Yugoslavia / Hungary – September 1, 1950 (WBA)
The Yugoslav Government sends a note of protest to the Hungarian Government against the forced resettlement of the Yugoslav national minority in Hungary.

GDR – September 4, 1950 (KCA)
The East German Government bans the religious sect of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, 30,000 of whom live in the GDR.

Soviet Bloc / U.S. – September 4, 1950 (LBC)
General Dwight D. Eisenhower opens the private broadcast named Crusade for Truth, the aim of which is to tell the truth about democracy to the peoples behind the Iron Curtain. According to Eisenhower the campaign will expand Radio Free Europe into a radio network (Since 1948 one of the key elements of American policy toward Eastern Europe was “psychological warfare” aimed at keeping alive resistance against the communist regimes).

Yugoslavia / Romania – September 4, 1950 (WBA)
Trial of a group of spies who had been organized and directed by diplomatic representatives of the Romanian Embassy in Belgrade takes place in the Belgrade County Court. The group is made of Koriolan Lupšić, clerk, Yugoslav citizen of Romanian descent; Trajan Flor, farmer, Yugoslavian citizen of Romanian descent and Vladislav Simonov, newspapermen, Yugoslav citizen of Serbian descent.

Yugoslavia / France – September 6, 1950 (HWC)
The memorandum of the French Foreign Ministry sums up the effects of the events in Korea on Western attitudes towards Yugoslavia and concludes with an exhortation to start military aid talks as soon as possible.

Hungary – September 7, 1950 (KCA)
The Government publishes a decree dissolving 59 of the existing 63 religious orders in Hungary.

Yugoslavia / U.K. – September 7, 1950 (PVC)
Tito receives Fitzroy Maclean in a private visit. The two survey the Yugoslav economic situation and the possibility of an invasion against Yugoslavia.

Yugoslavia / U.K. – September 7-19, 1950 (PVC)
The executive committee of the British Labour Party visits Yugoslavia.

Hungary / Vatican – September 8, 1950 (KCA)
The Osservatore Romano of the Vatican protests the new Government decree in Hungary.

Romania – September 8, 1950 (PIR)
Law no. 5 for the administrative and economic organization of the territory of RPR is published (previously voted by MAN, September 6).

Romania – September 9-12, 1950 (PIR)
The congress of the committees of battle for peace in Romania takes place.

Western Europe / U.S. – September 9, 1950 (LBC)
Truman announces that the U.S. will significantly increase the size of its armed forces in Europe.

Bulgaria / Turkey – September 10, 1950 (PLC)
The Turks close the Bulgarian-Turkish border.

Hungary – September 10, 1950 (KCA)
In a pastoral letter, the bench of Chatolic bishops states that under the decree more than 10,000 nuns and monks will be forced to return to secular life, declaring that although Church officials are “deeply conflicted, and nothing is left to us but to protest,” the Church hopes that the new agreement will “further the welfare and prosperity of Hungary.”

Yugoslavia / U.K. – September 11, 1950 (PVC)
A meeting takes place between Ernest Bevin and Edvard Kardelj, during which the two Foreign Ministers discuss the current economic situation in Yugoslavia, the possibilities of solving the Italian and the Greek question, and bilateral British-Yugoslav relations.

Hungary / Vatican – September 12, 1950 (KCA)
The Vatican issues a further statement alleging that the agreement between the Hungarian bishops and the State had been concluded “in an atmosphere of intimidation and terror prepared with assiduous care.”

Hungary – September 14, 1950 (HC)
A law is passed reorganizing the health care system.

Hungary – September 14, 1950 (REV)
The National Social Insurance Institute (OTI) becomes the Trade-Union Social Insurance Centre (SZTK), controlled by the National Council of Trade Unions (SZOT).

Romania – September 14, 1950 (PIR)
Gh. A. Cuza, former minister of Labor (1937-1938), dies in the Aiud prison.

Hungary – September 15, 1950 (HC) 
István Ries ex-Minister of Justice dies in captivity. He is one of the leaders of the Hungarian Social-Democratic Party and the Hungarian Workers’ Party.
The University of Budapest is named after the scientist Lóránd Eötvös.

Hungary – September 20, 1950 (REV)
The Military Supreme Court, on appeal, convicts the ‘right-wing Social Democrat’ leaders of war crimes and acts against the order of the state. József Kálmán, István Bittmann, Imre Győrki, András Révész, Ágoston Valentiny, Vilmos Zentai, Miklós Kertész, József Tolnai, Ferenc Szeder and József Büchler are sentenced to life imprisonment and Lajos Marosvölgyi to 15 years.

Romania / GDR – September 20-22, 1950 (PIR)
Official talks between Prime Minister Petru Groza and Walter Ulbricht, Vice-President of the provisional government of the German Democratic Republic, take place in Bucharest. Several cooperation agreements are signed.

Yugoslavia / Soviet Union / U.S. / U.N. – September 25, 1950 (WBA) (RYN)
Evard Kardelj, Deputy Premier and Minister of Foreign Affairs, gives an address to the U.N. General Assembly session proposing the conclusion of an agreement on lasting peace and non-aggression with each neighbouring country. He describes the aggressive policy of the Soviet Union and other Eastern European governments directed to Yugoslavia as one of the principal causes for world tension. He says the United States, too, is culpable for seeking to exploit the Korean War as a crusade against Communism. He also proposes the establishment of a permanent international commission of good offices, which would be composed of the six non-permanent members of the Security Council and six members of the General Assembly.

Bulgaria / GDR – September 26, 1950 (KCA)
It is announced that representatives of the German Democratic Republic and Bulgaria have signed cultural, scientific/technical and financial agreements, and are considering negotiating a long-term trade agreement.

Hungary – September 26, 1950 (HC) 
A Marxism-Leninism faculty is established at the Lóránd Eötvös University.
The National Peace Convention of the Catholic Priests releases a proclamation that the duty of all Catholic priests and followers is to elect councils and fight for the success of peace.

GDR – September 26, 1950 (KCA)
The East Berlin City Council seizes about 900 small and medium sized businesses in the Soviet sector of Berlin on grounds that they had contravened certain provisions of the law for the protection of trade, had smuggled goods into the Western zones of the city, and that their closure was necessary to protect the economy.

Yugoslavia – September 27, 1950 (KCA)
The Yugoslav Government orders a 10% cut in the bread ration, the suspension of all exports of grain, and a reduction of 58% in the quota for the compulsory sale of bread grains by farmers to the State.

Yugoslavia – September 27, 1950 (KCA)
The People’s Assembly of Bosnia Herzegovina, one of the Federal Republics of Yugoslavia, passes a law prohibiting the wearing of the veil by Muslim women with the support of the head of the Muslim community in Yugoslavia.

Hungary – September 28, 1950 (HC/REV)
The proclamation of the Government is released about the establishment of the “peace loan”. There is a major autumn campaign to achieve over-subscription every year up to 1956.

GDR – September 29, 1950 (PLC)
The GDR becomes a member of the Comecon.

Soviet Union / China – September 30, 1950 (KCA)
The Soviet and Chinese governments ratify the treaty of friendship, alliance and mutual assistance they signed in February.

October 1950

Yugoslavia / France / U.K. / U.S. – October 1950 (LKT)
The Tripartite Committee on Military Assistance to Yugoslavia, consisting of the United States, United Kingdom and France, completes a report detailing the requirements to be used for planning both peacetime and emergency military aid for Tito's regime.

Yugoslavia / U.N. – October 1950 (LKT)
Yugoslavia supports the Uniting for Peace Resolution, which allows the U.N. General Assembly to act in any given situation where the Security Council is prevented from doing so by a veto from one of its permanent members.

Hungary – October 3, 1950 (HC)
The number 16121-16129/1950 order of the Minister of Agriculture is publicized, according to which the Ministry orders the creation of nine agricultural research institutions.

GDR – October 3-4, 1950 (KCA)
Nine leading members of the Jehovah’s Witness sect are tried before the East German Supreme Court in Berlin, charged with various forms of action against the State. The defendants are sentenced to terms ranging from 8 years’ to life imprisonment.

Hungary – October 6, 1950 (KCA)
The appointment of Major-General Istvan Batz as Chief of General Staff of the Hungarian Army is announced. Batz is succeeding General László Sólyom, who was previously reported to have been arrested.

Bulgaria / Turkey – October 7, 1950 (KCA)
The Turkish Government, while signifying its willingness to permit the entry into Turkey of all immigrants of Turkish origin possessing valid consular visas, closes its frontiers to immigrants after realizing that many of the refugees trying to emigrate from Bulgaria were actually of non Turkish origin.

Soviet Union / US – October 9, 1950 (KCA)
Soviet Deputy Foreign Minister Gromyko presents a note to the Counselor of the U.S. Embassy in Moscow alleging that on the previous day two American fighter jets made a low-altitude machine gun attack on the Soviet Far Eastern airfield Sukhaya, and protesting the “gross violation” of Soviet territory.

Hungary – October 10, 1950 (REV)
The Supreme Court rules on the Szeged branch of the Hungarian Freedom Party and Democratic People’s Party. József Halápi and Sándor Nyilasi are sentenced to death for conspiracy against the state and armed rebellion; 26 associates receive long prison or forced-labour terms. The sentences are carried out soon after.

Yugoslavia / U.S. – October 11, 1950 (CUY)
It is announced that Belgrade will supply a major share of its strategically important non-ferrous metals (copper, lead and zinc) to the United States through the end of 1951. This is expected to total between 5 and 20 million dollars.

Bulgaria / Turkey – October 13, 1950 (KCA)
The Bulgarian Government sends the Turkish Government a note demanding that Turkey begin allowing all members of the Turkish minority in Bulgaria desiring to emigrate to do so “without further delays or obstacles”.

Hungary – October 14, 1950 (HC)
The central leadership of the Alliance of Working Youth calls the youth to support the building of the Duna Iron Factory in Dunapentele.

GDR – October 15, 1950 (KCA)
Elections to the East German Volkskammer are held in the Soviet zone of Germany, excluding Berlin. 98.44% of the electorate is reported to have voted, 99.58% of these votes being for the National Front.

Yugoslavia – October 15, 1950 (KCA)
A decree is issued aiming at saving food and household necessities and distributing them fairly. The decree abolishes all special privileges in the supply and distribution of foodstuffs and consumer goods, eliminating the system of the USSR in which Senior Party officers shop in special stores.

Romania – October 17, 1950 (PIR)
The trial of the anti-communist resistance group Paragină-Timaru, involving 64 people, takes place at the Military Tribunal in Galaţi.

Soviet Union / U.K. – October 18, 1950 (LBC)
The British Government rejects the proposal by the Conservative Party to stop the export of Malaysian rubber to the USSR.

Soviet Union / U.S. – October 19, 1950 (KCA)
The U.S. Government admits the October 8 incident, saying that pilots were advised not to fly in that area. They maintain that the incident was the result of navigation error and poor judgement, assuring the Soviets that disciplinary action will be taken against the pilots responsible.

Yugoslavia / U.S. – October 19, 1950 (CUY)
A meeting takes place between U.S. Secretary of State, Dean Acheson, and Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister of Yugoslavia, Edvard Kardelj on the subject of Yugoslavia’s request for economic assistance.

Yugoslavia / UK – October 19-23, 1950 (PVC)
The bishop of Gibraltar accepts the invitation of the Serbian Orthodox Patriarch and visits Yugoslavia.

Soviet Bloc / FRG – October 20-21, 1950 (PLC)
At a conference of Foreign Ministers in Prague, the socialist countries raise objections to the remilitarization of the FRG.

Yugoslavia / U.S. – October 20, 1950 (CUY)
Yugoslavia formally sends a request to the United States for food assistance of $50 million because of the severe drought in the country.

Yugoslavia / U.K. – October 20, 1950 (HWC)
The British Cabinet agrees to grant credits of up to £5 million to Yugoslavia.

Hungary – October 22, 1950 (REV)
The People’s Front candidates receive 97.8% of the vote in single-list general elections.

Romania – October 26, 1950 (PIR)
The plenary of the CC of PMR adopts the ten-year plan for the electrification of the country.

Poland – October 28, 1950 (PSN)
Emergency monetary reform passes the Diet, causing a loss of two thirds of the total savings of the population. Possession of foreign currency is banned.

Soviet Union – October 28, 1950 (KCA)
The TASS agency announces a number of ministerial changes in the Soviet Government.

Yugoslavia / France – October 28, 1950 (HWC)
Tito first asks the French for credit-sales of arms in an interview with their Ambassador. Subsequent misunderstandings, combined with the French tendency to put narrow financial interests above strategic considerations, results in the loss of their opportunity to become Yugoslavia's main supplier of arms, and its main negotiating partner in the West.

Poland – October 29, 1950 (KCA)
The Polish Parliament adopts a new law putting the zloty on a gold basis and placing it on parity with the rouble.

Hungary – October 29, 1950 (REV)
November 7, anniversary of the Soviet ‘Great October Socialist Revolution’ is declared a state holiday.

Yugoslavia / U.S. – October 30, 1950 (LUY)
The US National Security Council meets to consider the Yugoslav crisis. According to its estimate, if the Soviet Union had any intention of exploiting the United States’ preoccupation with Korea, Yugoslavia is probably the weakest, most strategic and most logical point at which to penetrate.

Yugoslavia – October 30, 1950 (PVC)
Tito delivers a speech at the congress of the antifascist women in Zagreb and states the reasons for asking for economic help from the United States.

GDR – October 31, 1950 (KCA)
It is reported from Berlin that over 120,000 Germans in the Soviet zone will be required to attend special “Lenin courses” for a year, which will include the study of the history of Russian Communism and the life of Stalin in order to prepare them for membership of the Communist-led Socialist Unity Party.

November 1950

Bulgaria – November, 1950 (PLC)
Vlko Csernekov becomes the new head of the Bulgarian Communist Party.

Hungary – November, 1950 (REV)
Mátyás Rákosi, Ernő Gerő and Mihály Farkas make a pact kept secret from the Central Committee of the Hungarian Workers’ Party and form a so-called Defence Committee. The ‘Troika’ has absolute power over the country until 1953.

Soviet Bloc – November, 1950 (CEC)
The third session of the COMECON Assembly meets in Moscow. Interregional trade is discussed.

Hungary – November 1, 1950 (HC)
The Stalin Bridge of Budapest is initiated (today: Árpád Bridge). Also in Budapest, one part of the Nagy Körút (Grand Bulevard) is named after Lenin, Oktogon is renamed November 7 square.

Bulgaria / Turkey – November 4, 1950 (KCA)
After subsequent negotiations between Turkey and Bulgaria, the Bulgarian Government agrees to take back a number of the people not of Turkish origin that entered the country, agreeing that no Muslim will leave Bulgaria without the proper documents.

Soviet Union / Iran – November 4, 1950 (KCA)
The Soviet and Iranian Governments sign a protocol renewing their trade agreement of 1940 for one year starting November 10, 1950.

GDR – November 6, 1950 (KCA)
Sixteen more members of the Jehovah’s Witness sect are sentenced to terms of imprisonment ranging from 1 to 15 years. 

Soviet Union – November 6, 1950 (KCA
Marshal Bulganin delivers the annual review of Soviet foreign policy on the anniversary of the October Revolution.

Soviet Union / UK – November 6, 1950 (LBC)
It is announced that the United Kingdom will buy 800,000 tons of grain from the Soviet Union, 200,000 less than the previous year.

Yugoslavia – November 6, 1950 (HWC) (CUY)
In his interview with the correspondent of the New York Times, Cyrus Sulzberger, Tito says that he would buy arms from whoever made the best offer and that another extensive amnesty will soon take place.

Bulgaria – November 7, 1950 (KCA)
A decree is published in Sofia establishing that Soviet nationals in Bulgaria will enjoy equal rights with Bulgarian citizens.

Yugoslavia / Greece – November 7, 1950 (SGY)
57 Greek prisoners are returned to the Greek authorities and 7 more follow two weeks later.

GDR – November 8, 1950 (KCA)
The new East German Volkskammer meets for the first time and elects Dieckmann as its president.

Hungary – November 10, 1950 (HC) 
A collection of selected letters from Marx and Engels is published in Hungarian.

Yugoslavia – November 11, 1950 (ACY)
The New York Times publishes a report claiming that in Yugoslavia 300 priests are waiting for trial in jail, kept in abominable conditions.

Yugoslavia / Albania – November 12, 1950 (KCA)
The Yugoslav Government closes down the Albanian Legation in Belgrade.

Yugoslavia – November 12, 1950 (CUY)
In an interview with a West German news agency Tito states that “there will
be no second Five-Year-Plan similar to the first one.”

Romania – November 13, 1950 (PIR)
Decree no. 207, prohibiting workers, clerks and technicians in state enterprises from quitting their work without the prior approval of their superiors, is published. Absenteeism and participation in strikes are punishable, according to the Penal Code.

Yugoslavia / U.K. – November 14, 1950 (KCA)
The Foreign Office in London announces that the British Government has offered a credit of 3 million pounds to Yugoslavia to enable it to purchase foodstuffs and consumer goods to relieve the food shortage in Yugoslavia.

Yugoslavia / Greece – November 14, 1950 (KCA)
The Greek Prime Minister announces that all food supplies bound for Yugoslavia will be given free transit as a “humanitarian gesture”.

Romania – November 16, 1950 (PIR)
The Council of Ministers adopts the decision regarding the construction of the power plant at Bicaz (which would become functional in 1960).

Yugoslavia / U.N. – November 17, 1950 (RYN)
The U.N. General Assembly adopts Kardelj's proposal on the Duties of States in the Event of the Outbreak of Hostilities. The resolution is aimed at forestalling a Soviet armed intervention against Yugoslavia under the guise of self-defence.

Yugoslavia / U.S. – November 18, 1950 (LYE)
The first shipload of American foodstuffs reaches the port of Rijeka. By the time the last stop-gap shipment arrives in March 1951, some 249,000 metric tons of supplies, worth $31.8 million including transportation costs, will have been delivered to Yugoslavia.

Yugoslavia / U.S. – November 21, 1950 (CUY)
An agreement between the United States and Yugoslavia covering the terms of the Mutual Defense Assistance Program is concluded in Belgrade.

Yugoslavia / U.S. – November 24, 1950 (KCA)
President Truman announces that he has allocated $16 million from the funds appropriated under the Mutual Defense Assistance Act to provide food for the Yugoslav armed forces.

Yugoslavia – November 25, 1950 (KCA)
It is announced in Belgrade that Sreten Zujovic, who in May 1948 had been arrested for supporting the Cominform against the Yugoslav Government, has been released from prison since the State believes that he has been re-educated.

Czechoslovakia / U.S. / FRG – November 27, 1950 (KCA)
The U.S. High Commissioner in Berlin informs the Czechoslovak military mission in Berlin of restrictions to be imposed on Czechoslovak aircraft flying over the U.S. zone of Germany starting on November 29.

Yugoslavia / Greece – November 27, 1950 (KCA)
The main railway line from Saloniki to Belgrade as well as the truck line from Saloniki to Bitolj, both of which were damaged during the Greek civil war, are reopened to traffic between the two countries.

Yugoslavia / Greece – November 28, 1950 (KCA)
The Greek Prime Minister announces that Greece and Yugoslavia have agreed to restore full diplomatic relations and that Spyros Kapetanides has been appointed Greek Minister in Belgrade.

Yugoslavia / U.S. – November 29, 1950 (KCA)
President Truman sends a letter to Congress requesting it as a matter of urgency to allocate $38 million to meet the emergency created by the food shortage in Yugoslavia.

GDR – November 30, 1950 (KCA)
East German Prime Minister Otto Grotewohl writes to the West German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer proposing talks between the two governments on the formation of an all-German Constituent Council as proposed in the Prague Declaration.

Hungary – November 30, 1950 (HC) 
The Hungarian Academy of Sciences, following the Soviet model, regulates the conditions of obtaining the two highest academic degrees (candidate of sciences, doctor of sciences).

Hungary – November 30-December 8, 1950 (HC) 
The Parliament approves the 1950: IV Law about the modifciaton of the Constitution and the installments of the new ministries. The 1950: V Law is passed about the protection of peace as well.

Yugoslavia / Greece – November 30, 1950 (HWC)
Venizelos, the head of the Greek Government, announces the imminent exchange of ministers between Greece and Yugoslavia.

Yugoslavia – December 1950 (ACY)
Stjepevac of Kotor is sentenced to six years for collaboration.

Bulgaria / Turkey – December 2, 1950 (KCA)
Turkey reopens its frontiers with Bulgaria.

Romania – December 3, 1950 (PIR)
The first elections for deputies in the popular councils take place.

Yugoslavia – December 8, 1950 (KCA)
It is officially announced that Radoc Jovanovichhas been appointed Yugoslav Minister in Athens.

GDR – December 11, 1950 (KCA)
After receiving no response from Adenauer, Grotewohl invites him over the East German radio to speak through that network to Germans in East Germany.

Yugoslavia / U.S. – December 11, 1950 (LYE)
The US Senate approves a Bill for the provision of the $38 million requested. The Yugoslav Emergency Relief Act provides $50 million in relief, of which some $31 million worth of ten types of foodstuffs would reach Yugoslavia before or shortly after the end of the year. Another $38 million will be provided later in 1951 under the Marshall Plan provisions of the Economic Cooperation Administration. The Senate approves the package 60 votes to 21, the House vote on December 13, 225 to 145.

Romania – December 12-13, 1950 (PIR)
The Plenary of the CC of PMR approves the first Five-Year Plan for economic development (1951 – 1955).

Hungary – December 14, 1950 (HC)
The People’s Economic Council releases its 644/1950 resolution on the organization of the newly established Nutrition Ministry. It also releases the  647/1950 resolution about the splitting of the Ministry of Heavy Industry into a Ministry of Metallurgy and Machinery and a Ministry of Mining and Energy, as well as its 659/1950 resolution about the production of cotton.

GDR – December 15, 1950 (KCA)
The East German Volkskammer passes a “Law for the Protection of Peace”, making punishable war propaganda of any kind.

Hungary – December 15, 1950 (KCA)
It is officially announced in Budapest that a Government decree has been signed introducing compulsory military training for all university students to take effect on February 1, 1951, aiming to secure “the requirements of officers for the People’s Army.”

Soviet Union / FRG / France / UK / US – December 15, 1950 (KCA)
The Soviet Government sends notes to representatives of the Western Powers in Moscow protesting their alleged violation of the Potsdam and other agreements by rearming Western Germany. 

GDR / FRG – December 15, 1950 (KCA)
Grotewohl again appeals to Adenauer for joint negotiations on the unification of Germany.

Hungary – December 16, 1950 (HC) 
The Presidential Council elects Imre Nagy as the Minister of Nutrition, Mihály Zsofinyecz as Minister of Forge and Industrial Machinery, and Sándor Czottner as the Minister of Mining and Energy. All three of them are members of the Hungarian Workers’ Party.

Romania – December 16, 1950 (PIR)
Law no. 8 for the Five-Year Plan for national economic development between 1951 and 1955 is published (and voted by MAN on December 15).

Romania – December 16, 1950 (PIR)
MAN adopts the Law for the annulment of appropriation rates owed to peasant households which had received land during the 1945 agrarian reform.

Soviet Union / France / UK / US – December 20, 1950 (KCA)
Moscow presents the responses of the Western powers to the Soviet note of November 3, suggesting that the Council of Foreign Ministers should meet for four-power talks on Germany. The notes from the Western governments express the opinion that any four-power discussions should include not only the issue of Germany, but should also explore “the principal problems whose solution would make possible a real and lasting improvement” in the relations between the powers. The notes suggest that the representatives of the four Powers should meet to find an acceptable agenda for such talks and draw up an agenda.

Yugoslavia – December 21, 1950 (KCA)
It is announced in London that the British Government will make an additional credit of 2 millon British pounds to Yugoslavia, bringing its total aid to Yugoslavia to 5 millon pounds.

Yugoslavia / Italy – December 23, 1950 (KCA)
Italy and Yugoslavia sign agreements on questions regarding the Italian Peace Treaty.

Yugoslavia / Norway – December 24, 1950 (KCA)
It is announced in Belgrade that Norway has granted Yugoslavia a five-year credit to help the latter overcome its food shortage.

Yugoslavia – December 26-29, 1950 (KCA)
The Yugoslav National Assembly meets to discuss the budget for 1952 and decides to extend the Five-Year Plan by one year to the end of 1952, raising all production targets by 20%.

Bulgaria – December 27, 1950 (KCA)
The Bulgarian Sobranje passes a law for the protection of peace, providing penalties of up to 15 years of imprisonment for warmongering and war propaganda.

Yugoslavia / Romania – December 27, 1950 (PVC)
A Romanian border guard is shot down in the latest Yugoslav-Romanian border incident. In a speech delivered at the national assembly the next day, Tito strongly condemns the provocation of Yugoslav boarder guards.

Romania – December 28, 1950 (PIR)
Decree no. 259 for the organization and functioning of Popular Councils is published.

Yugoslavia – December 29, 1950 (RYN)
In a speech before the National Assembly, Edvard Kardelj presents a detailed explanation of Yugoslav support to the U.N. policy thwarting the “adventurist” policy of the North Korean Government, but also  its protest to interventionist action. The speech enunciates principles corresponding closely to those of the platform of peaceful coexistence created in 1955.

Yugoslavia – December 29, 1950 (PVC)
Charles Peake informs the Foreign Office about Tito's speech during the annual debate on the Yugoslav estimates. Tito argues for the increase of the defence costs by an additional 300 million dinars.

Hungary – December 30, 1950 (KCA)
The Hungarian Government announces stringent measures to speed up industrial production for rearmament, and in conjunction with these measures introduces petrol rationing.

Romania – December 30, 1950 (PIR)
Alexandru Drăghici and Mihail Burcă, both holding the rank of general-major, are appointed deputies of the Minister of Internal Affairs.

Romania – December 30, 1950 (PIR)
Mihail Manoilescu, former minister of External Affairs (1940), dies.

Soviet Union – December 30, 1950 (KCA)
Moscow issues its response to the notes from the Western Powers, accepting the suggestion to draw up an agenda, but insisting that the proposed four-power talks should be confined to the demilitarization of Germany and “other issues concerning Germany.”

Romania – December 31, 1950 (PIR)
The balance sheet of collectivization is: 1,027 GAC’s, with 67,719 families registered and 277,719 ha included in cooperatives.

Yugoslavia – December 31, 1950 (KCA)

1945

1946

1947

1948

1949

1950

1951

1952

 

© Cold War History Research Center, Budapest 2012