CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1952/03/12

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Current/Central Intelligence Bulletin Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 02623672
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: May 24, 2019
• Document Release Date: May 30, 2019
• Publication Date: March 12, 1952

Approved for Release: 2019/05/08 CO2623672
SEC NFORM
ATION
12 March 1952
Copy No.
CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN
DOCUMENT NO.
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Office of Current Intelligence
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
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SECU NFORMATION
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SUMMARY
FAR EAST
1, Heavy Viet Minh attacks in Tonkin foreseen (page 3).
2, Thai Premier admits intention to resign (page 3).
3. Chinese Premier says he cannot tolerate presence of Chinese
Nationalists in Burma (page 3).
NEAR EAST - AFRICA
4. Iranian Senate aroused over violation of senatorial immunity
(page 4).
5. Israel wishes closer ties with Italy and India (page 4).
6. Libyan King wants American military installations in Cyrenaica
(page 5).
* * * *
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FAR EAST
1, Heavy Viet Minh attacks in Tonkin foreseen:
3.3(h)(2)
The disposition of Viet Minh troops as reported
by a usually reliable Vietnamese source in
early March indicates "potential heavy attacks"
against the French defense perimeter in the
vicinity of Hanoi.
Comment:
the Viet Minh offensive force has been largely spent and that, although
continuing infiltration tactics, the Viet Minh will require some time for
rest and regrouping. While French estimates during the past several
months have been unduly sanguine, the known strongth of Viet Minhforces
does not appear sufficient to capture and hold key positions inside the
French defenses.
2. Thai Premier admits intention to resign:
3.3(h)(2)
Premier Phibun confirmed to the American 3.3(h)(2)
Ambassador in Bangkok recent reports that
he wished to resign and become Speaker in
Parliament. He mentioned the date of 15 March,
when the present elections are expected to end.
Comment: Phibun's statement of intention to
resign should not be considered final in view of past instances when he
has continued as Premier because of the failure of rival politicalfactions
to agree on any other candidate.
3. Chinese Premier says he cannot tolerate presence of Chinese Nationalists
in Burma: 3.3(h)(2)
?I
The Burmese Ambassador in Peiping reported
to Rangoon a conversation with Chinese Commu-
nist Premier Chou En-lai in which the latter
stated that his government could not tolerate
the presence of Nationalist troops in Burma
U imper a ism came in." Chou asked if Burma were aware that the
-3.
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United States and Thailand were collaborating with these forces, and that
2,000 additional Nationalist troops had recently been parachuted into Burma.
The Chinese Communist Premier professed
appreciation of Burma's difficulties in dealing with the Nationalists, but
stated that he "keenly desires" Burma to liquidate them as a matter of
urgency.
NEAR EAST - AFRICA
40 Iranian Senate aroused over violation of senatorial immunity:
The recent search of an Iranian Senator's
home by the police has resulted in demands
for the resignation of the Acting Minister of
justice. The Senate, which considers the
search a violation of the constitutional immunity of its members, has
already demanded apologies from the Acting Minister. The Embassy
comments that the incident may be used to demand Prime Minister
Mossadeq's resignation.
Comment: Many Senators have become
alarmed in recent weeks over the consequences of Mossadeq's policies
and have reportedly been considering a vote of no-confidence it) -the
Prime Minister. There is no evidence, however, that the Senate, whose
present session will end on 16 March, is any more capable of decisive
action than in the past.
5. Israel wishes closer ties with Italy and India:
3.3(h)(2)
3.3(h)(2)
The Turkish Minister in Tel Aviv has received
information that Israel is seeking closer ties
with countries in the Mediterranean area and
in Asia because it fears that the Israeli position
In the proposed Middle East Command will be
inferior, from both a political and a military standpoint, to that of the
Arab States.
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Accordingly, Israeli Foreign Minister Sharett
intends to visit Rome on 17 to 20 March, and Foreign Undersecretary
Eytan has gone to New Delhi. They hope through these official visits to
discover the attitude of Italy and India toward establishing closer relations
with Israel.
Comment: Discussions between Israeli officials
and American and British representatives have revealed Israel's strong
interest in the development of the proposed Middle East Command, as
well as a fear that Western military aid to the Arab States, under the
provisions of this defense plan, may endanger Israel's security.
6. Libyan King wants American military installations in Cyrenaica!
King Idris of Libya has made it unmistakably
clear that he would welcome the establishment
of American military installations in his home
province of Cyrenaica. The Governor of
Cyrenaica was even more outspoken in his approval, citing as reasons
the economic benefits resulting from the presence of US troops.
The American Minister points out that rivalry
between Cyrenaica and the more populous and prosperous province of
Tripolitania -- which has the important US airbase, Wheelus Field --
strongly colors the viewpoint of Cyrenaican authorities. He observes
that strategically important Cyrenaica is nevertheless almost unique in
actively encouraging the establishment of American bases and that this
friendliness ought not to be neglected in over-all military planning for
the Middle East.
3.3(h)(2)
TO RET
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