CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1952/02/28

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Current/Central Intelligence Bulletin Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 02692604
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: May 24, 2019
• Document Release Date: May 30, 2019
• Publication Date: February 28, 1952

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SEC UFORMATION
28 February 1952
Copy No. 't
CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN
DOCUMENT NO
NO CHANGE IN CLASS.
I EVGLASSIFIED
CHA!'3ED TO: IS
NE/J ri:VE2,-"vi DATE: S Civet
LUTH: l-171 704d-7
DATE. �FiEVIEVVER:
Office of Current Intelligence
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
TOP
ET
SECUBFflNFORMATION
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SUMMARY
FAR EAST
1, Burmese Socialists favor Chinese Communist attack on Nationalists�
(page 3).
2, Burmese pro-Communists would aid attack on Chinese Nationalists
(page 3).
NEAR EAST - AFRICA
3. Pakistan to sponsor Tunisian petition to UN Security Council (page 4).
.4, Greek Prime Minister alleges US support of opposition weakens
government (page 5).
WESTERN EUROPE
5, Soviet authorities increase pressure on Austrian economy (page 6).
6. Portugal may play important role in forthcoming Spanish talks with
United States (page 6).
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FAR EAST
1, Burmese Socialists favor Chinese Communist attack on Nationalists:
The Burmese Socialist Party, including its
Secretary General, U Ba Swe, is said to be
determined to accept the aid of "other friendly
powers," in other words, the Chinese Commu-
ationalist troops from Burma. The "inactivity
of the Anglo-American powers" leaves no other course, in the opinion
of the Socialists.
The Socialists are reported to believe that
Burmese neutrality would not be compromised since this military
assistance would be rendered at Burma's invitation.
The American Embassy in Rangoon comments
that since the possibility of a Chinese Communist attack on the Nationalists
in Burma clearly exists, the Burmese may prefer to offer an invitation
prior to the Chinese Communists' entry.
Comment: The Burmese Commander-
in-Chief, Ne Win, recently told the American military attache he
favored evacuation of the Nationalists through Rangoon and believed
the Burmese Government would accept his views in the matter.
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The recent elections in Burma have considerably
strengthened the Socialist Party. Reports have been received that when
Parliament convenes on 3 March the party plans to force a Cabinet shake-
up which will give it almost complete control.
2. Burmese pro-Communists would aid attack on Chinese Nationalists:
The pro-Communist Burma Workers and
Peasants Partyj
promised assistance
in any Burmese Government campaign against
the Chinese Nationalist troops in northeast Burma. It is also reportedly
seeking a similar declaration of cooperation from the insurgent Burma
Communist Party.
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Meanwhile, Karen permission is being sought
by the Burmese Communist Party to send troops through Karen territory
in order to attack the Nationalists.
The Burmese Government has already per-
mitted the Workers and Peasants Party to propagandize the Nationalist
issue fully, even to the extent of using trucks with loudspeakers in
Rangoon to attract volunteers for a special brigade to be used against
Li Mi's forces. Proffered cooperation of the Workers and Peasants
Party in a campaign against the Chinese intruders may be expected to
obtain considerable support from influential leftists in the Burmese
Government,
NEAR EAST - AFRICA
3. Pakistan to sponsor Tunisian petition to UN Security Council
The Pakistani delegate to the United Nations
has informeda member of the Secretariat
that Pakistan will ask the President of the
Security Council to place the Tunisian issue
on the agenda and to call a meeting in March. A subcommittee composed
of the Pakistani, Indian, Indonesian and Yemeni delegates is preparing
the documentation.
In general, the Arab-Asian nations have not
been enthusiastic sponsors of the Tunisian case; they are assuming the
responsibility of presenting it in order to maintain Moslem solidarity.
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4. Greek Prime Minister alleges US support of opposition weakens government:
rDeputy Prime Minister Venizelos has informed
Secretary of State Acheson that many Greeks feel
that the United States is supporting opposition
leader Marshal Papagos and that this impression
is making it "practically impossible" for the present government to carry
on. Venizelos suggested that the present government should be allowed
to continue without interference or that a new three party coalition in-
eluding Papagos should be formed.
Venizelos attempted to minimize the importance
of the purge of pro-Papagos army officers and told Acheson that he had
already assured the chief of the American Military Mission that the re-
moval of former Inspector General Kitrilakis would be cancelled if the
United States wished.
Venizelos added that a Liberal attempt to
restrict the release of political prisoners would be difficult since it would
be ccnstrued by Prime Minister Plastiras as a violation of the Liberal-
EPEK agreement made when the government was formed.
Comment: Prime Minister Plastiras' return
to health seems to have stiffened Liberal -EPEK determination to stay
in power as long as possible. Venizelos�has apparently now decided
that the best method of recouping Liberal fortunes lies in continued partner-
ship with Plastiras.
His interview with the Secretary of State,
called at his own initiative, appears to be another attempt to weaken
Papagos. The US Embassy in Athens reports that Venizelos' statement
concerning cancellation of the order removing General Kitrilakis was
a "flat falsehood."
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WESTERN EUROPE
5. Soviet authorities increase pressure on Austrian economy:
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Additional evidence of mounting Soviet pressure
on the Austrian economy and increased efforts
to exploit Austria for scarce materials were
noted by the American Joint Indications Com-
m wee ince February, Soviet delay in issuing permits
for industrial goods and raw materials to be shipped to western Austria
has allegedly created such a backlog of goods in storage that the Austrian
Government will protest to the Soviet High Commissioner.
Soviet enterprises in Austria have reportedly
been ordered to step up their deliveries to the East, and plans are
believed to be under discussion for the exchange of "surplus" crude oil
from Zistersdorf for Ruhr industrial products. Soviet buyers have been
directed to secure increased quantities of commercial and special steels
through Austrian channels. They have reportedly offered record prices
for aluminum.
Comment: While interference by the USSR
in Austrian trade has heretofore been negligible, recent Soviet efforts
to secure larger allocations of raw materials have been coupled with
warnings to Austria that interzonal controls might be enforced. The
delays in issuing permits could also be a warning to the Austrian Govern-
ment to modify its semi-official campaign against Soviet enterprises in
Austria.
6. Portugal may play important role in forthcoming Spanish talks with
United States:
The American Embassy in Madrid believes 3.3(h)(2)
that the favorable response in the Spanish
press to Portuguese Foreign Minister Cunha's
appeal for a tripartite agreement among
Portugal, Spain, and the United States may indicate that Portugal will
bulk larger during the forthcoming US-Spanish military negotiations
than had been anticipated. The Spanish press hailed Cunha's appeal
as the "most affirmative" development of the North Atlantic Council
meeting in Lisbon.
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Comment: Cunha has taken advantage of the
latest NATO meeting to reiterate his government's pessimistic viewpoint
with regard to adequate NATO safeguards against Soviet agression based
on any line except the Pyrenees. Portugal has complicated its NATO
contributions by insisting on the need to reserve the bulk of Portuguese
land forces for defense of the Iberian peninsula.
Soint Portuguese-Spanish support for the
Pyrenees line concept could be anticipated from Cunha's remarks. This
campaign in the Spanish press will furnish ammunition to the Franco
regime in any attempt to justify substantial economic and military as-
sistance from the United States with only minimum Spanish commitments
beyond the Pyrenees.
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