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A recently released Turkish intelligence report concerning Trotsky

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In February, Turkey’s National Intelligence Organisation (MİT) made available in the ‘Special Collection’ section of its official website an intriguing intelligence report on Leon Trotsky. The document is signed by Aziz Hüdaî Bey, the Regional Chief for Istanbul of the intelligence service then known as the National Security Service Directorate (MAH).

This 93-year-old report reveals that the MAH sought not only to monitor Trotsky himself but also to track Soviet intelligence activities directed against him; it further lays bare Ankara’s efforts to steer this complex affair in accordance with its own interests.

As this intelligence report was housed solely in the MİT archives for many years, it remained unknown to researchers and historians until now.

Below is the full text of this historic document, which the MİT has now made available electronically:

Istanbul

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16. 1. 932

Addendum: dated 31.12.931 and numbered 1501

“Our Armenian interpreter … has begun working to improve his standing with us. He made contact with Davranof—who is acting in Serkis’s stead and is referred to in our reports as a GPU agent—and received the following initial proposal from him.

“We intend to monitor Trotsky closely. Who visits him; where he goes and whom he meets; the principal activities he pursues at home; and with whom and where he corresponds?” In accordance with our instructions, our agent accepted this assignment. Davranof then requested the names of those charged with Trotsky’s protection and surveillance and enquired which of them had been recruited. At first our agent declined to answer, deeming the question procedurally objectionable, but ultimately complied in line with our directives. We shall furnish Davranof with one name and one contact. They will no doubt seek to verify this contact or bypass our agent altogether in order to gain direct access. This will enable us to identify some of Davranof’s operatives and discern their objectives.

To facilitate our agent’s work, Davranof said: “If you encounter difficulty securing a contact, approach Salih efendi, the policeman who accompanied Trotsky on the island, and confide in him. This gentleman, who already supplies information to others, will no doubt assist you too. We shall pay both you and the contact in accordance with the value of the work to be carried out. Furthermore, a man from England will be arriving shortly to meet Trotsky.

“Find out who he is and why he has come here,” Davranof instructed, adding that Arshakuhi—the wife of Arshaig, one of the coal-depot owners in Fındıklı—had been invited to Greece by Shahverdiyan and had formerly served as his clerk. Davranof’s assertions are correct. While a policeman named Salih efendi was indeed among Trotsky’s guards on the island, he did not accompany Trotsky to Kadıköy.

He arrived with the man Davranof had said would be coming from England. His name is Osias Rosenzweig. They were joined by a Frenchman, Raymond Mouliniere, and both stayed at Trotsky’s house. Although English by birth, Rosenzweig was German by nationality. He claimed to be a music teacher.

The latter was French and spoke fluent Turkish and Greek. The purpose of their visit and their stay at Trotsky’s house is as yet unknown.

We shall furnish Davranof, via our agent, with certain intelligence concerning Trotsky. The funds and directives he provides will serve as the basis for uncovering a new network on our part. Respectfully submitted, Sir.

İ. B.

Regional Chief

To be continued