The History of Romanian Intelligence before 1989: A Cloaked Legacy - thediplomaticaffairs.com

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Geneva, Switzerland

Intelligence Op-Ed World July 12, 2023

The History of Romanian Intelligence before 1989: A Cloaked Legacy

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The history of Romanian intelligence before 1989 is a complex and intriguing tale of clandestine operations, political intrigue, and the relentless pursuit of power. Under the communist regime of Nicolae Ceaușescu, Romania’s intelligence apparatus played a pivotal role in maintaining control and suppressing dissent. Romanian intelligence traces its roots back to the establishment of the communist regime in the aftermath of World War II. The Securitate, Romania’s secret police, was founded in 1948 and modelled after the Soviet Union’s KGB. Initially, its primary objective was to suppress political opposition and maintain the communist regime’s grip on power. The Securitate was notorious for its extensive network of informants, pervasive surveillance, and brutal methods of interrogation. The Securitate operated under the direct control of Nicolae Ceaușescu, who elevated it to a position of tremendous power within the Romanian state. The organisation’s structure consisted of various departments, each responsible for specific areas of intelligence gathering and control. These departments encompassed counterintelligence, political surveillance, economic espionage, and monitoring dissident movements. The Securitate effectively infiltrated all aspects of Romanian society, including government, media, academia, and cultural institutions.

Throughout its existence, the Securitate engaged in widespread repression and surveillance, targeting perceived enemies of the state. Political dissidents,intellectuals, religious leaders, and ethnic minorities were subjected to surveillance, harassment, and imprisonment. The Securitate employed an extensive network of informers, known as “informators,” who were tasked with reporting on any signs of dissent or anti-regime activities. This pervasive surveillance created an atmosphere of fear and mistrust among the population, stifling any potential opposition. Romanian intelligence agencies were not limited to domestic operations. The Security Service is actively engaged in international espionage, primarily targeting Western countries. It sought to gather political, military, and economic intelligence while also attempting to infiltrate Romanian exile communities and monitor emigrant activities. Romanian diplomats and intelligence officers stationed abroad were instrumental in gathering information and conducting covert operations in support of the regime’s interests. One of the most notorious events involving Romanian intelligence was the attempted assassination of Radio Free Europe journalist Emil Georgescu in 1973. Georgescu, who regularly criticised the Ceaușescu regime, was targeted by the security forces, resulting in a failed assassination attempt in Munich, Germany. This incident highlighted the extent to which the Securitate was willing to go to silence critics, even beyond Romania’s borders. Ion Mihai Pacepa, a high-ranking Securitate officer, defected to the West in 1978, providing valuable insights into the inner workings of Romanian intelligence. His revelations exposed the extent of Ceaușescu’s repression and the Securitate’s international activities, causing significant embarrassment to the regime. The Securitate’s grip on power came to an abrupt end in December 1989 during the Romanian Revolution. Widespread protests and violent clashes erupted throughout the country, leading to the overthrow and execution of Nicolae Ceausescu. With the fall of the Ceausescu regime, a dark chapter in the history of the Romanian security services was closed.

By Roxana Stanica

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