CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1953/05/16

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Current/Central Intelligence Bulletin Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 02901111
• 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 16, 1953

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SECU INFORMATION
16 May 1953
Copy No.
CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN
DOCUMENT NO
NO CHANGE IN CLASS.
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Office of Current Intelligence
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
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SECURI NFORMATION
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SE ITY INFORMATION
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SUMMARY
FAR EAST
Rhee persists in desire for security treaty with United States (page 3).
2. Yoshida likely to head next Japanese government (page 3).
3.3(h)(2)
SOUTHEAST ASIA
.,.'Laos dissatisfied with Thai security measures on border (page 4).
45?" Native troops in Indochina mutiny against French (page 5).
6.
7.
8.
9.
NEAR EAST - AFRICA
Iran takes special precautions to protect Point W personnel (7age 5).
3.3(h)(2)
zgypt reportecuy to empLoy more uerman mixers (page b).
EASTERN EUROPE
WESTERN EUROPE
10. Adenauer reportedly disapproves of Churchill proposals (page 7).
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FAR EAST
1. Rhee persists in desire for security treaty with United States:
Ambassador Briggs and Adviser Murphy
report that South Korean support for an
armistice is doubtful unless the United
States agrees to a security pact with the
Rhee government.
Murphy states that President Rhee is becom-
ing more reconciled to a truce based on the
UN 7 May counterproposals, but that he will continue to create diffi-
culties for American policy unless he secures some "satisfactory"
security arrangement.
Comment: The difficulties inherent in any
security arrangement are complicated by the emotional attitudes of
government leaders on the Korean unification issue. For example,
Foreign Minister Pyun said on 14 May, as Rhee had earlier, that
South Korea would "rely on its own forces" to push into North Korea
rather than await the outcome of postarmistice negotiations on unifi-
cation.
Yoshida likely to head next Japanese government:
American officials in Tokyo believe that the
re-election of Shigeru Yoshida as prime
minister early next week is virtually assured.
Yoshida probably will be forced to form a
single-party minority cabinet because of
opposition to a coalition within the Liberal
and Progressive parties.
Financial interests are exerting pressure on
the Progressives to support Yoshida's Liberals in an effort to stabilize
the government. There are also reports that some 30 Progressives
may back Yoshida, which would make it possible for the Liberal Party
to gain a working majority.
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ur SECUZITY INFORMA iloN
Comment: The mechanics of the vote and
Yoshida% strength apparently iFsTire him of being one of the candidates
and the likely winner in the decisive second ballot which is a run-off
between the two highest candidates on the first ballot.
3.
SOUTHEAST ASIA
4. Laos dissatisfied with Thai security measures on border:
The American charge in Vientiane reports
that the Laotian government is dissatisfied
with Thailand's efforts to neutralize the pro-
Viet Minh Vietnamese along the border.
The government complains that no control has been exercised over
the Vietnamese' most dangerous leaders, who are now crossing the
Mekong River into Laos.
The charge comments that an early solution
to this problem is necessary since a renewal of a major Wet Minh
campaign against Laos in the fall appears to be "almost certain."
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Comment: The American embassy in
Bangkok had already reported that Thai efforts to control the Viet-
namese have been cautious in order to avoid unnecessary incidents.
It is highly unlikely, in any event, that Thailand will ever be able to
seal the border completely.
5. Native troops in Indochina mutiny against French:
Two companies of troops of the Muong ethnic
minority at a garrison in the Tonkin delta
mutinied on 11 May and deserted to the Viet
Minh, according to Governor Tri of North
Vietnam. This episode climaxes long-standing dissatisfaction at the
treatment accorded the Muong by their French superiors. Governor
Tri further stated that about three months ago an entire Muong bat-
talion had mutinied, but that the episode was hushed up.
Comment: Only one incident of mutiny has
been admitted by the French in the past.
NEAR EAST - AFRICA
Iran takes special precautions to protect Point IV personnel:
3.3(h)(2)
Comment: Prime Minister Mossadeq, when
informed of the 16 April attack against the Point IV offices in Shiraz,
assured Ambassador Henderson that he was again ordering all provinces
to give maximum protection to Americans, and that he personally assumed
responsibility for their safety. He pleaded for continuance of Point IV
in Shiraz.
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SECJJ1TY INFORMATION
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8. Egypt reportedly to employ more German officers:
Colonel Otto Skorzeny, a notorious Nazi
adventurer, has been secretly commissioned
by General Nagib to establish an air academy
in Egypt,
Comment: Although this information is
unconfirmed, deteriorating Anglo-Egyptian relations and the possibility
of guerrilla warfare increase the opportunities for former German offi-
cers of Skorzeny's type to find employment in Egypt. Reports indicate
that certain former Nazis have recently been employed by the Egyptian
government.
Skorzeny, who has wide contacts with former
SS officers, has been trying to sell his services for several years. He
was in Cairo in January, allegedly on "personal business," It has pre-
viously been reported that he had offered to recruit former German
officers for service in Egypt.
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WESTERN EUROPE
10. Adenauer reportedly disapproves of Churchill proposals:
3.3(h)(2)
Chancellor 3.3(h)(2)
Adenauer informed French foreign minister
Bidault on 13 May of his objections to Unurchill's
recent speech in the House of Commons, and
maintained that there should be no Allied-Russian negotiations until the
EDC becomes operative. The chancellor was particularly upset by
Churchill's references to a possible "eastern Locarno" formula for
easing East-West tensions in Europe.
113idault unsuccessfully 3.3(h)(2)
attempted to urge Adenauer to support a bid for talks with Moscow,
with disarmament as the first agenda item. �
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Comment: Despite his basic opposition to
four-power talks at this time, Aaenauer may now publicly adopt a
more positive attitude to improve his position on German unity prior
to the September national elections.
Biclault's proposal, first put forward on 25
April, has already been rejected by American and British officials.
He may, however, insist on sending formal notes to the Allies request-
ing that such an approach be made to the Soviet Union.
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