CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1953/05/09

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Current/Central Intelligence Bulletin Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 02901106
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: July 15, 2019
• Document Release Date: July 22, 2019
• Publication Date: May 9, 1953

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SECURI NFORMATION
9 May 1953
Copy No. 1,;
2$ CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN
DOCUMENT NO.
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In discussions with the British and American
ambassadors in Paris, the French have reiterated their view that in-
sistence on revision would shift to the West the blame for stalling the
treaty and give the Soviet "peace" offensive a resounding victory at no
cost.
Comment: While there has been some indica-
tion that the French have wished to delay a showdown on the questions
of Germany and EDC, their objections to the US-proposed strategy on
the Austrian treaty appear sincere.
There is also reason to believe that the pre-
vious support London and Vienna have given to revision of the draft
treaty is based on the assumption that Washington will accept Article
35--the economic provisions--as it stands should this prove to be the
only obstacle to a settlement.
8. French sentiment developing for four-power talks:
French Socialist leader Guy Mollet believes
that there is very strong sentiment in France
for putting the Russian "peace" offensive to
the test of four-power talks. Though few
Frenchmen believe that Soviet aims have changed or that talks would
have major results, Mollet feels that the Russians are off-balance and
that the West would benefit by forcing the pace.
Comment: While Mollet is presumably
influenced by the desire to satisfy the wing of the Socialist Party led
by rules Moch, whose UN disarmament proposal seems to be gaining
support in French government ranks, there is sentiment in all French
parties for another attempt at four-power talks.
In the recent municipal election campalgn
the Socialists advocated calling a four-power conference in case the
party finally decided to oppose EDC. Many party members reportedly
consider delay on the treaty desirable on the grounds that the Russians
are more likely to make concessions before than after ratification.
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LATIN AMERICA
9. Bolivia believed ready to settle tin problem':
Ambassador Sparks believes that the Bolivian
Government is now prepared to settle with the
former owners of the three nationalized mining
companies. He describes this as a radical
change in pa Icy influenced by American pressure for settlement of the
compensation problem and refusal to discuss a term contract.
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The same pressure, however, has made the
United States vulnerable to strong criticism in Bolivia and throughout
Latin America. The ambassador notes that the new Bolivian policy can
be implemented only if Bolivia retains its American market for tin.
The majority opinion in Bolivian government
circles, according to the foreign minister, is that the United States
does not intend to reach an agreement but is merely waiting for eco-
nomic deterioration to cause the government's overthrow.
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