CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1953/05/27

Document Type: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
02901120
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
U
Document Page Count: 
5
Document Creation Date: 
July 15, 2019
Document Release Date: 
July 22, 2019
Sequence Number: 
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
May 27, 1953
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PDF icon CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULL[15671650].pdf170.92 KB
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erit,3031.4r7rove d 07/ for Release: 4 TOPS ET 2019/06/26 CO29011 T29,mi,r SECUR INFORMATION 3.5(c) 27 May 1953 Copy No. 6 7 CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN / rOCUVENT NO. 1M I TO: TS NEX RaviEW DATE; AUTH: 1-iF1 70-2 D AT E. 1)?1_: I r .544 3.5(c) Office of Current Intelligence CEN'TRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY TOP S ET SECURI NFORMATION 3.5(c) / Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2901120 Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2901120 TOP SE SEC ET ITY INFORMATION SUMMARY "MI GENERAL \VComment on Soviet refusal to resume Austrian treaty talks (page 3). SOVIET UNION 2. Tet light bombers moved to Kamchatka (page 3). SOUTHEAST ASIA 3. Vietnamese in Thailand recruited by Viet Minh (page 4). 4( Negotiations for evacuating Nationalists from Burma may soon be stalled (page 4). NEAR EAST - AFRICA 5, Arab Legion reported regrouping on Israeli frontier (page 5). * * * * 2 TOPSECT 3.5(c) 3.5(c) 3.5(c) Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2901120 Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2901120 kir 1-�12, J. CURITY INFORMATION 3.5(c) GENERAL 1. Comment on Soviet refusal to resume Austrian treaty talks: The Soviet rejection of a bid for four-power discussion of an Austrian treaty appears to be primarily a delaying action. By emphasizing the futility of further discussion on the deputies' level, the USSR may be attempting to retain its bargaining position for higher-level talks where broader issues can be negotiated. The USSR may also be hoping through a prolonged exchange of notes to promote further dissension among the Allies. Pravda recently stressed that the Soviet Union could not accept any preconditions to discussions of major world issues. The Soviet refusal, therefore, also reflects the new government's sensi- tivity to being "forced" into negotiations. The Kremlin may consider that it can conduct Its present "peace offensive" by a continuation of minor conciliatory gestures, and through the Korean negotiations, without making major concessions in Europe. SOVIET UNION 2. Set light bombers moved to Kamchatka; 3.3(h)(2) IL-zts jet itgrit DomuerS have been transferred from Khabarovsk and Sokol to the Elizovo area of Kamchatka. 3.3(h)(2) the total may be much higher and that the movement is continuing. Comment: Indications that the bomber division based in the Elizovo area near Petropavlovsk was being supplied with jet light bombers were first noted in late April. - 3 - TOP SECRET 3.5(c) Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2901120 Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2901120 w1 Jr C I SEC ITY INFORMATION 3.5(c) The IL-28 has an operational range of about 700 nautical miles. Deployment of IL-28's to known airfields on Kamchatka would bring at least one US air base in the Aleutians within their range and, in addition, permit Soviet reconnaissance of air and sea lanes in the area. SOUTHEAST ASIA 3. Vietnamese in Thailand recruited by Viet Minh: 3.3(h)(2) a, Thai town across the 3.3(h)(2) border from Paksane is reportedly the group- ing point for Viet Minh recruits from Thailand. The message mentions that the approximately 750 recruits there were drawn from several Thai border provinces. 3.3(h)(2) grenades, medicine and clothing, as well as recruits, are being sent to the Viet Minh in Laos by Vietnamese residing in northeastern Thailand. In the event of a resumed Viet Minh campaign in Laos next fall, the Vietnamese population in Thailand, which numbers approximately 50,000, could constitute an important source of supplies, manpower and intelligence. 3.3(h)(2) 4. Negotiations for evacuating Nationalists from Burma may soon be stalled: Chinese Nationalist foreign minister George Yeh has termed "absurd" the Burmese plan for estab- lishing a temporary safety zone for Nationalist troops in the Mong Hsat area. He told the Ameri- can charge is Impossible for the mixed committee to visit Mong Hsat until the Burmese order a general cease-fire. In addition, according to the foreign minister, General Li Mi ref uses to order his troops to cooperate in any evacuation before a general cease-fire. - 4 - "1"CoP_,FrECI" 3.5(c) Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2901120 Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2901120 3.5(c) Nat.-TOP SECiTI SECURITY INFORMATION Yeh also made it clear that both he and Chiang Kai-shek shared Li Mi's views, explaining that it would be impossible for Mong Hsat to be "isolated" in a safety zone while the Burmese con- tinued to attack subordinate units elsewhere. Comment: According to reports from the American embassy in Bangkok, there is very little more the committee can do until the Nationalists arrange for it to proceed to Mong Hsat. The Burmese have steadfastly refused to con- sider a general cease-fire, although they have agreed to one in the evacuation areas. NEAR EAST - AFRICA 5. Arab Legion reported regrouping on Israeli frontier: Ambassador Green reports that the situation 3.3(h)(2) along the Israeli-Jordanian border is "more potentially explosive" now than at any time in the past 10 months. He has been authoritatively informed that Arab Legion units on the border are being reinforced and regrouped in preparation for any eventuality. The ambassador warns that his counsel of moderation may fall on deaf ears because the Jordanian prime minister appears to lack his predecessor's restraint. Comment: In the past the presence of the Arab Legion, which is under British control, has been a moderating influence in Jordan's relations with Israel. This fact, along with the superior strength of the Israeli forces, suggests that the legion's moves are precautionary. On the diplomatic front, the Jordanian govern- ment has asked the United States, as a guarantor of the status quo, to take steps against Israel's "aggressive activities." - 5 - TOP � CRET 3.5(c) Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2901120