CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1952/06/21

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Current/Central Intelligence Bulletin Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 02064598
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: May 24, 2019
• Document Release Date: May 30, 2019
• Publication Date: June 21, 1952

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SECUBY INFORMATION
21 June 1952
Copy No. 53
CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN
Office of Current Intelligence
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AUTH: HR 70-2
DATE:1744M REVIEWER:
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
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SECURI NFORMATION
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SUMMARY
GENERAL
1. Venezuelan measures against Soviet Charge may react against
� Western diplomats in Moscow (page 3).
2. French High Commissioner questions US policy toward Berlin
(page 4).
FAR EAST
3. Burmese Premier may resign (page 4).
4. Overthrow of Thai Premier reportedly planned (page 5).
WESTERN EUROPE
5. Italian Government not expected to dissolve neo-Fascist party
(page 6).
LATIN AMERICA
6. Revolt reportedly planned in Surinam (page 6).
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GENERAL
1. Venezuelan measures against Soviet Charge may react against Western
diplomats in Moscow:
Ambassador Kennan warns that if the
Soviet representatives in Venezuela are
not treated with full courtesy until they
leave, there may be serious repercussions
in Moscow not only against the Venezuelan
representative but possibly against other
missions. The Ambassador points out
that it is important not to set a precedent
for mistreatment of diplornats in the case of a break in relations.
'Meanwhile, Czechoslovakia has asked
Venezuela for permission to represent Soviet interests there, and
the Czech Vice Foreign Minister informed the Venezuelan Minister
In Prague that unless the Soviet staff in Caracas were permitted to
leave Venezuela freely, the Soviet Union is prepared to take "what-
ever steps the situation requires."
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Comment: In response to Venezuelan
provocations during the prececithg week, the USSR on 13 June broke
relations, charging "hooliganism" and violations of international
law, on the night of the 3.3(h)(2)
break, the Soviet Embassy was surrounded by police, and a Soviet
official was badly beaten when he tried to leave.
The Soviet Embassy in Caracas has asked
that the International Red Cross investigate the "mistreatment" by
the Venezuelans.
Ambassador Kennan on 14 June empha-
sized that the Soviet note to Venezuela stated that Venezuela was
"obviously acting under the direction of its North American masters."
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2. French High Commissioner questions US policy toward Berlin:
The French High Commissioner in Ger- 3.3(h)(2)
many his 3.3(h)(2)
doubts regarding the soundness of the
American opinion that fear of war would
deter the Russians in their pressure
campaign on Berlin. He believes that Moscow would probably
insist on either a unified Germany or a divided country in which
the Russians would not allow foreign interference and activity in
"their" portion.
The High Commissioner states that a
crisis might eventually become inevitable if the United States per-
sists in its "plan to make Berlin a wedge driven into the totali-
tarian bloc" while the Russians "seek to strangle what they con-
sider a center of agitation." He believes, however, that the
crisis would be avoided if quadripartite conversations were held
and led to even a provisional solution.
FAR EAST
3. Burmese Premier, may resign:
Burmese
Premier Nu "agreed" to remain in office
for one month to give his colleagues an
opportunity to choose a successor,]
although Nu may only have been testing his strength, he might re-
tire if anyone but Defense Minister Ba Swe were selected.
Comment: This is the second recent
report that Nu may be actually considering retirement, but he has
threatened to resign several times since assuming office in 1948.
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Nu has been regarded as the leading figure
of the moderate faction in the Burmese Government, and is inclined
toward cooperation with the West. The ambitious Ba Swe, on the
other hand, has a record of affinity for Communism, despite his
recent anti-Communist statements.
Overthrow of Thai Premier reportedly planned:
Police Director General Phao is reportedly
planning to depose Premier Phibun by a
coup d' etat,
the influence of General Sarit, Phao's chief rival, has been weakened
by loss of control over certain army units formerly supporting him.
If Sarit fails to rebuild his position soon, his
army supporters may attempt a coup which might result in "general
fighting throughout the Kingdom."
Comment: Press reports of 20 June state
that a general alert has b-61ii� ordered in Thailand. However, Phao
is currently in Europe and probably would not leave the direction of
a coup to his subordinates.
The American Embassy in Bangkok states
that Sarit has strengthened his position in recent months and that
there is little imminent possibility of an open conflict between the
Phao and Sarit factions.
The possibility of a coup by either Phao
or Sarit cannot be discounted as their rivalry is a constant threat
to stability in Thailand.
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WESTERN EUROPE
5. Italian Government not expected to dissolve neo-Fascist party:
Despite the overwhelming parliamentary
approval of a bill empowering the govern-
ment to dissolve the neo- Fascist Italian
Social Movement in the "extraordinary
ease of necessity and emergency," Christian Democratic spokes-
men intimate that no such move is likely in the immediate future.
Government officials fear that even if the
party were proscribed, a similar movement would spring up before
the 1953 national elections. The new movement might benefit from
the "martyrdom" and be free of the present party's less popular
ties with the old Mussolini regime.
The US Embassy in Rome comments that
the new law may still inhibit the neo-Fascist press and provide a:
legal basis for jailing some of the party's leaders.
Comment: Ever since the Italian Social
Movement showed an alarming increase in strength by polling third
place in the local elections in southern Italy last month, the centrist
parties and the Communists have been increasingly vocal in their
demands for the party's suppression.
LATIN AMERICA
6. Revolt reportedly planned in Surinam:
The political situation in Surinam has
"deteriorated rapidly" in the last few
weeks and a revolt against the Netherlands
is planned, according to a local Dutch
government official. The four reported leaders were members of
a seven-man delegation which returned this month from The Hague
after suspension of negotiations for a new political relationship
with the Netherlands.
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The Commander of the Dutch forces in
Surinam, who doubts the "reliability" of sixty percent of the native
police, has reinforced the army garrison at the capital and taken
steps to protect the major airport. He has also ordered the army
to hold maneuvers in the capital city of Paramaribo and feels that
this show of force will deter disturbances.
Comment: Surinam, which supplied al-
most half of the total US bauxite requirements in 1951, has been
increasingly desirous of greater political freedom. This is the
first hint of a revolt, however,
One of the alleged plotters is a labor leader
with considerable influence among the bauxite miners.
Dutch army and marine units, superior in
numbers and training to the native police, should be able to control
the present threat.
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