CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1953/04/07

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Current/Central Intelligence Bulletin Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 02893543
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: July 15, 2019
• Document Release Date: July 22, 2019
• Publication Date: April 7, 1953

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TOPS' RET SECU INFORMATION
7 April 1953
Copy No. b
CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN
DOCUMENT NO.
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Office of Current Intelligence
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
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SUMMARY
GENERAL
Yugoslav official sees basic shift in Soviet policy (page 3).
Reactions of French and Dutch officials to Soviet peace moves
(page 3).
SOVIET UNION
/ Moscow embassy comments on release of Soviet doctors (page 4).
FAR EAST
/. Shift in Communist emphasis from Korea to Japan seen (page 5).
SOUTHEAST ASIA
5. Burma suspends negotiations for American arms (page 5).
SOUTH ASIA
6. India may purchase jet aircraft from France (page 6).
NEAR EAST - AFRICA
7.
EASTERN EUROPE
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. Hungarian celebration marked by absence of anti-American attacks
(page 7).
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GENERAL
1. Yugoslav official sees basic shift in Soviet policy:
Yugoslav Foreign Secretary Popovic told thi3.3(h)(2)
American Charge in Belgrade on 3 April that
the Soviet Union's recent specific overtures to
the West represent a basic shift of foreign
policy, forced upon Malenkov by the inherited "inner contradictions"
of the Soviet world.
Although Popovic admitted that it is impossible
accurately to gauge the sincerity of the moves, he warned against neglect-
ing to exploit every opening offered by this new Soviet pattern.
Comment: The above analysis acquires
significance in the light of deep-seated Yugoslav distrust of any Soviet
tactic and previously expressed Yugoslav fears that the Kremlin would
somehow manage to conclude a general settlement with the Western
powers to the detriment of Yugoslavia.
2. Reactions of French and Dutch officials to Soviet peace moves:
French NATO representative Alphand is 3.3(h)(2)
extremely concerned lest the Soviet peace
maneuvers result in the disintegration of
NATO. He told Ambassador Draper that
the Soviet moves are already beginning to
have an effect on the European population
and urges a definite US commitment to
prevent this.
Two ranking Dutch Foreign Ministry
officials, skeptical of Soviet intentions, suggest that the United
States test Soviet sincerity by an immediate call for conclusion
Of the Austrian peace treaty.
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Comment: There have been several indi-
cations that the French Government is highly vulnerable to Soviet
approaches for an East-West detente.
Dutch Foreign Minister Luns has stated
that until Soviet sincerity is tested by concrete action, the West
could not afford to relax its military preparedness program.
The Austrian problem is one on which the
Soviet Union may find it easier to negotiate than on other Western
European problems.
SOVIET UNION
3. Moscow embassy comments on release of Soviet doctors:
The American Embassy in Moscow commeh)(2)
that the vindication of the physicians impli-
cated in the doctor plot provides the most
concrete evidence thus far of the new regime's
break with the old, since Stalin either personally engineered the plot
or fully approved its initiation.
The Embassy further believes that this dis-
closure indicates that a bitter high level controversy exists now or has
recently been concluded. The recent events suggest that Malenkov and
� Beria are at present harmoniously dominant in a regime which is based
on a balance between party, police and army. However, the fate of
purely Stalinist elements and the position of the army, as one of the
principal victims of the doctor plot, may be matters of extreme
importance.
Within the limits observed by the Embassy,
Soviet public reaction to the announcement has been favorable, evidently
in the belief that a more liberal era may ensue. Doubts may arise,
however, as to the stability of a system of government in which such
fantastic reversals can take place.
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FAR EAST
4. Shift in Communist emphasis from Korea. to Japan seen:
the Far East to Japan,
lapse there.
The Japanese Government does not expect t13.3(h)(2)
current Communist peace offensive to bring
results favorable to Japan, but thinks that the
Communists may now shift their emphasis in
with a primary aim of causing an economic col-
The government believes that the Chou En-lai
offer is sincere, and that the Communists will not permit the talks to
fail. It expects, however, that the POW negotiations will be protracted
to place the United Nations at a psychological disadvantage. The Com-
munist bloc is expected to support a drive for a unified, neutral Korea
and UN membership for Communist China,
Comment: This Japanese analysis reflects the
concern of the Yoshida government over the future of the country's econ-
omy, which has been strongly dependent on income arising from the
Korean hostilitieq.. The neutralization of the American position in japan
and prevention of Japanese rearmament are undoubtedly major objectives
of Soviet Far Eastern policy which would be served by ending the war.
SOUTHEAST ASIA
5. Burma suspends negotiations for American arms:
Burma's army commander, General Ne Wi:3.3(h)(2)
told the US Army Attache in Rangoon that he
thought it advisable to suspend temporarily
the current arms procurement negotiations
pending clarification of American-Burmese
relations.
Comment: Burma decided to negotiate for
the purchase of American arms in February after a long search for
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an alternative to British sources. The prospect of acquiring American
arms probably motivated the reported attempts by Ne Win and Defense
Minister Ba Swe to prevent the Chinese Nationalist issue from seriously
affecting Burma's relations with the United States.
SOUTH ASIA
6. India may purchase jet aircraft from France:
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Comment: The purchase of French planes
despite the technical problems ini7olved is a major departure from India's
past procurement policies. Having experienced delays in obtaining planes
from Britain, India may be turning to France in the hope of getting quicker
deliveries.
During 1953 France is to discontinue production
of the Ouragan in favor of a new jet, the Mystere.
NEAR EAST - AFRICA
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3.3(
EASTERN EUROPE
8. Hungarian celebration marked by absence of anti-American attacks:
)(2)
The Hungarian Liberation Day ceremonies 3.3(h)(2)
on 4 April were marked by the absence of
attacks on American policy either in posters
or speeches and the failure of any special
delegations from the USSR or any major East European Satellite to
attend the ceremonies. Deputy Premier Hazi's speech was generally
conciliatory and Premier Rakosi showed unusual cordiality toward
American Charge Abbott.
Comment: This year's celebration is in
marked contrast to previous Liberation Day ceremonies throughout
the Satellites, which in the past have featured violent anti-American
attacks in speeches and posters and have been attended by imposing
Orbit delegations.
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