Chapter 9 zinoviev and Kamenev’s Kremlin deal
Of all the party members Stalin picked up for their trials, Zinoviev and Kamenev were the most effective to Stalin. They were Lenin’s closest comrades-in-arms and were good at rallying the party members around him. Stalin was going to settle the score with them this time, and he was going to do it all.
Interior ministry workers responsible for “processing” Zinoviev and Kamenev were people Stalin knew very well: Agranov, Molchanov and Mironov.
In talking about the Kirov case, I have introduced the reader to Mironov. Now is the time to go into detail about his case. Mironov was in charge of many of the most important big cases at the Ministry of Internal Affairs. When Argo reached the Kremlin to report to Stalin, he often took Mironov with him. Among the many cases that Milonov dealt with under Stalin’s personal leadership were known as the “Industrial Party” case. The case, which took place in the 1930s, caused too much of a stir.
Stalin soon took notice of Milonov’s brilliance and began giving him special assignments. Milonov had to report to Stalin himself on the completion of these tasks. Because of this, he soon rose through the ranks. In 1934, on Stalin’s proposal, he was appointed minister of internal Affairs and, a year later, deputy to Argoda. Since then, he has headed the General Administration of State Security. He was also responsible for all the business of the Interior Ministry. For a time, rumors circulated among the interior ministry staff that Stalin was going to remove Argoda and replace it with Mironov. But some well-informed people don’t believe it. Stalin, they knew, needed machiavellian experts at political intrigue to head the interior ministry. Unlike Argoda, Milonov was a practical economist and counterintelligence expert.
A remarkable memory is one of Milonov’s strengths. In this respect Argoda is left in the dust. For this reason, When Argoda reported to Stalin, he always brought Milonov with him, even if it was not directly related to the work Milonov was doing. After all, Argoda had to remember Stalin’s orders and instructions without missing a single detail. Usually, after you come back from the kremlin, millon’s desk immediately, for the fruit in great detail for each indicator, to write down the Stalin and or with Stalin’s words – this is very important for the fruit of, especially when Stalin admonished him should use the Marx’s “quotation” speech at the politburo, forcing the politburo by Stalin’s secret intentions when a resolution. Every time He received a similar admonition, Stalin began plotting to get rid of a politburo member or central committee member.
Mironov had a great deal of power and prestige. But this did not bring him happiness. It was chiefly because he was a gentle and conscientious man. Being forced to play the role of persecuting the old Bolsheviks made him feel very depressed. To get rid of these unpleasant duties, Milonov tried for a time to get a position in a foreign spy agency, and then he wanted to be transferred to the Foreign Trade People’s Committee as a deputy people’s Committee. But when it came up for central approval, Stalin forbade mironov’s transfer and told him not to even think about it.
Mironov’s pessimism and disappointment in life were compounded by his private misfortunes. He had a very beautiful wife, Nadja, and he was madly in love with her. She, on the other hand, was always delighted by the temptation of others. That was the end of Mironov’s family life.
One night (it was the spring of 1936) Mironoff called me and asked if I could come to his office. He was going to tell me something “very interesting.” So I went.
Milonov looked pale and excited. He cut to the chase and addressed me in the following words:
“I have just spoken to Gaminiev. When I had Kaminiev brought from the inner prison, I had prepared in my mind how to make him understand the crime against which he had been framed, and what promises to be made to him. But the sound of the guards’ boots, and the noise of the anteroom, made my mind wander, and I thought of nothing but how to conceal my confusion.”
The door opened, and Caminiev entered, escorted by guards. Without looking at him, I signed a few notes on the bill of lading and let the guards out. Here, in the middle of the office, stood Kaminev, looking old and tired. I pointed to his chair. He sat down and gave me a puzzled look. To tell the truth, I felt embarrassed. After all, it was Gaminiev! I have heard him speak with great reverence. When he delivered his speech, the whole hall burst into applause, even Lenin, who was sitting in the chairman’s league, applauded him. I wondered afterwards that the prisoner sitting here was the same Gaminiev, and that I had full power over him…
‘What’s happened now? “Asked Kaminiev suddenly.
“A number of arrested members of the opposition have accused you in their confessions, Comrade Kaminiev… Citizen Kaminev, “I corrected myself at once, addressing him. “They confessed that from 1932 you worked with them to prepare terrorist acts against Stalin and other members of the Politburo, and that you and Zinoviev secretly sent Kirov to kill him.”
‘It’s a lie! You know it’s a lie! ‘ “Gaminiev thundered.
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