CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1952/12/21

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Current/Central Intelligence Bulletin Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 02693995
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: June 6, 2019
• Document Release Date: June 27, 2019
• Publication Date: December 21, 1952

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SEC INFORMATION
21 December 1952
57
CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN
'DOCUMENT NO. 64
NO CHANGE INO CLASS.
CLASS. CHANGED TO:
Office of Current Intelligence TS S C
DECLASSIFIED
NEXT REVIEW DATE:
AUTH: H 70-2
DATE: REVIEWER:
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CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
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SUMMARY
GENERAL
I. Moscow Embassy comments on Soviet attitude toward Korean con-
flict (page 3).
FAR EAST
2. IL-28's reported flying along Yalu River (page 3).
SOUTHEAST ASIA
3. Magsaysay's prospects for Philippine presidency reportedly weak-
ened (page 4).
EASTERN EUROPE
4. Indications of inter-Satellite security conference (page 4).
5. Bulgaria may be lowering induction age (page 5).
WESTERN EUROPE
6. Spain reportedly willing to send volunteer units to Korea (page 5).
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GENERAL
1. Moscow Embassy comments on Soviet attitude toward Korean conflict:
Minister Beam in Moscow believes that the
Kremlin's sensitivity to Soviet defections in
World War II is a big factor in the present
Communist attitude toward the repatriation
of POW's in Korea. He considers, however, that the main obstacle
to an armistice now is a Soviet estimate that a continuation of the con-
flict favors the USSR's strategic position and increases Peiping's
dependence on Moscow.
Comment: Of the estimated 4,000,000 Soviet
personnel captured by the Germans during the first six months of World
War II, at least 1,000,000 are considered to have been defectors4 The
Kremlin may want to convince potential defectors in any future war that
'repatriation and punishment would be inevitable.
FAR EAST
2. IL-28's reported flying along Yalu River:
A large, straight-winged, twin-jet plane
moving at a comparatively low rate of speed
was observed on 17 December by an F-86
pilot flying over northwest Korea near the
Yalu River, Other UN pilots report having
sighted a similar type plane at about the same time on the Manchurian
side of the Yalu.
Far East Air Force believes that these
aircraft were IL-28 light bombers.
Comment: This it he first renorted nhser-
vation of such planes in the Korean theater.
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Negieiwell 111.11.1.
SOUTHEAST ASIA
3. Magsaysay's prospects for Philippine presidency reportedly weakened:
The general feeling among influential opponents 3.3(h)(2)
of President Quirino is that it would be unwise
to nominate Defense Secretary Magsaysay for
the presidency in 1953,
They believe that Magsaysay will soon lose his present post
and disappear as a political power. 3.3(h)(2)
The American Embassy comments that despite
the reported agreement between Magsaysay and the opposition Nation-
a/ista Party, the party might drop him quickly if his political value
deteriorated or a more reliable candidate appeared.
Comment: There are, many indications that
Quirino is intensifying his efforts to undermine Magsaysay's consider-
able prestige and popularity. The American Embassy has previously
Observed that Magsaysay's dismissal would put his career in the hands
of opposition party leaders who could then repudiate any secret agree-
ment.
EASTERN EUROPE
4. Indications of inter-Satellite security conference:
The Czech State Security Police headquarters
instructed all subordinate units on 14 October
to submit questions promptly for considera-
tion at a conference of security officials
of Czechoslovakia, Poland, Hungary and East Germany. Suggested
categories included joint border operations and prisoner interroga-
tion.
Comment: This is the firmest evidence
yet received of high-level inter-Satellite cooperation in matters of
security and border controL \
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5. Bulgaria may be lowering induction age:
Bulgaria has ordered all men of the 1933
and 1934 military conscription classes to
report for medical examinations prior to
1 December. According to the US Military
AltaAR in Ankara, the calling of two classes for pre-induction ex-
aminations has not occurred previously in peacetime and may indi-
cate induction of both classes next spring.
Comment: Bulgarian practice since
the war has been to call up men for military service during the year
in which they reach the age of 20. By the lowering of the normal
induction age to 19, as suggested by the possible induction of the
class of 1934, the Bulgarians would be following Soviet conscription
practice.
Albania is the only Satellite which has
been inducting 19-year-olds.
WESTERN EUROPE
6. Spain reportedly willing to send volunteer units to Korea:
General Franco is willing to permit Spanish
volunteers commanded by their own officers
to fight in Korea,
The general reportedly
r that many Spainiards would offer to serve if
given the opportunity by the United Nations.
Comment: Such an offer would be in line
with Spanish insistence that Spain has made the most significant
European contribution against world Communism. It would also
be the first indication that Spain might permit the use of its troops
beyond the Spanish frontier.
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