Petersburg and took part in the Revolution of November 1917. He
joined the Cheka in early 1918. Latsis then became one of Feliks
Dzerzhinsky’s key deputies, institutionalizing terror first in Siberia
and then in the Ukraine. He had a reputation for cruelty and the
killing of hostages. Latsis later told a journalist that class terror was
dedicated to the eradication of the bourgeoisie as a class, and it was
unrestrained by any rules of conduct. In a Cheka publication, he
wrote: “During investigations do not look for evidence that the ac-
cused acted in word or deed against Soviet power. The first question
you ought to ask is to what class does he belong.” Following thecivil
war, Latsis left the Cheka for positions in industry and academics. In
1932 he was made head of the Plekhanov Economic Institute, and he
wrote a number of books on the role of the Cheka in the civil war. He
was arrested in 1937 and shot the following year. Despite his record
in the civil war, he was posthumously rehabilitated.LEADERSHIP PROTECTION. A major role of the Soviet security
service from the 1920s to 1991 was the protection of the party lead-
ership. While Vladimir Lenindismissed the need for a large security
detail, Joseph Stalinsaw two reasons for a new and enhanced com-
ponent to ensure his personal security. Stalin believed that he was in
mortal danger from opponents, and he saw the use of a security de-
tail to collect information and gossip about his colleagues and their
families. Stalin’s chief bodyguards became his close colleagues.
Karl Paukerwas a family friend who frequently dined with Stalin,
while Nikolai Vlasikwas a close associate for two decades. Stalin
had both men arrested: Pauker was shot, and Vlassik would have
been had Stalin not suffered a fatal stroke in 1953. Under Stalin, the
Guard Service had responsibility for every aspect of the leader’s per-
sonal and professional life.
In the KGB, the Ninth Directorate had responsibility for protect-
ing the party and state leadership, similar to the American Secret Ser-
vice. The KGB’s 15th Chief Directorate had responsibility for im-
portant buildings, such as the Kremlin, as well as sensitive military
installations. The security of the leadership—and the capital—was
further guaranteed by the Dzerzhinsky Division, a well-armed and
well-trained MVDunit stationed inside Moscow. The division was
reportedly under the direct control of the KGB chair.LEADERSHIP PROTECTION• 14306-313 G-P.qxd 7/27/06 7:56 AM Page 143