Identity Statement

Reference Code

HU OSA 408-6-1

Title

Records of the Ministry of State Security (Stasi)

Date(s)

1950 - 2007

Description Level

Series

Extent and medium (processed)

7 Archival boxes, 0.88 linear meters

Context

Archival history

The original documents are kept in the Gauck Office (Der Bundesbeauftragte für die Unterlagen des Staatssicherheitsdienstes der ehemaligen Deutschen Demokratischen Republik, BStU) where László Varga researched for two months on a grant from the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in 2000.

Content and Structure

Scope and Content (Abstract)

With no possibility to research at home, Varga was granted access to the documents of the East German state security service, commonly known as Stasi, in 1993. In every case he came up against a problem at home, such as limited research or lack of documents, he went to the Gauck Office (BStU, Bundesbeauftragter für die Stasi-Unterlagen) in Berlin to find answers.

During the two months of his research, staff of the Office learnt Varga’s research focus and kept sending him relevant documents for years.

A substantial part of the files document the cooperation between Stasi, KGB (the Soviet State Security Committee) and the Hungarian state security service. Another part shows the failure of reforming and keeping the Stasi alive in 1959-90.

In Hungary, the relationship of the state security service with its counterparts in the other communist countries is one of the areas the least open for research, thus these documents are of utmost importance. On the other hand, during the regime change, the Hungarian service followed the same scenario as the Eastern German organization, but was much more successful.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information

This series is the most important collection of Stasi records in Hungary, which give an insight into the operation of BStU, too.

Accruals

Not Expected

System of arrangement

Arranged thematically, and chronologically.

Conditions of Access and Use

Conditions governing access

The general rules of research in OSA Research Room apply.

Conditions governing reproduction

A dokumentumok oktatási és kutatási célból digitálisan másolhatók az OSA kutatótermében.

Description Control

Archivist's note

Processed by László Varga, March 2, 2015.