CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1953/10/27

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Current/Central Intelligence Bulletin Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 02970162
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: July 15, 2019
• Document Release Date: July 22, 2019
• Publication Date: October 27, 1953

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SECU NFORMATION
CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN
DOCUMENT NO. -7.9
NO CHANGE IN CLASS.
DECLASSIFIED
CLASS. CHANGED TO: TS S C
NEXT REVIEW DATE: 20 0 9
AUTH: HR 70-2
DATE: REVI
Office of Current Intelligence
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
27 October 1953
Copy No. 84
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'41are ECURITY INFORMATION
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SUMMARY
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FAR EAST
1, South Korean corps commander urges support for pro-American
generals (page 3).
SOUTHEAST ASIA
2. Vietnam premier would await greater strength before questioning
French Union concept (page 3).
3.3(h)(2)
NEAR EAST - AFRICA
4. Iran reportedly will request economic mission to help solve
problems (page 4).
Iranian oil commission lacks knowledge and program (page 5).
VV, Arab League reportedly votes aid for Jordan's border defense
(page 5).
USSR may bid on Greek request for fuel oil (page 6).
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� 4,100 CURITY INFORMATION
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FAR EAST
1. South Korean corps commander urges support for pro-American
generals:
General Chong Il-kwon, commander of
the South Korean II Corps, is anxious
for the United States to support American
oriented and trained South Korean generals
should the army resist an order to march north. He also wants the US
to make "flexible plans" covering, among other thin s the ossibi
of Rhee's death and a coup d'etat, 3.3(h)(2)
Comment: This is the second time in
recent weeks that General Chong has hinted at the possibility of a
coup or that the South Korean army might refuse to obey an order
from Rhee to renew the war. Chong is a competent and respected
military leader. He is also highly ambitious and may hope that such
statements will generate American support for his appointment as
chief of staff.
3.3(h)(2)
SOUTHEAST ASIA
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2. Vietnam premier would await greater strength before questioning
French Union concept:
In an off-the-record press conference in
Hanoi on 23 October, Vietnamese premier
Tam stated to local newsmen that in view
of its dependence on French military aid,
Vietnam must remain in the French Union for the time being. He
said that Vietnam could reconsider its position when it is stronger.
Comment: Realization on the part of
Vietnamese leaders of the necessity for French military support
will make them conciliatory in forthcoming negotiations in Paris.
Most of them are nonetheless determined that the present concept
of the French Union shall eventually be drastically revised.
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3.
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)(2)
NEAR EAST .- AFRICA
4. Iran reportedly will request economic mission to help solve problems:
The director of the Iranian National Bank
stated on 24 October that Iran planned to
ask that a joint mission from the Interna-
tional Monetary Fund and the International
Bank for Reconstruction and Development be sent to Iran as soon as
possible.
The Fund representatives would be asked
to examine Iran's financial situation and make recommendations for
its improvement. The International Bank members would investigate
the possibility of a loan to Iran and aid in reaching or administering
an oil settlement.
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5.
Comment: Such a mission could be useful
in formulating a new monetary policy to improve Iran's serious financial
situation. It is not likely, however, that the International Bank would
grant a loan until the oil industry is again in operation.
In January and February 1952, the Interna-
tional Bank attempted to help solve the oil dispute but failed to find a
solution acceptable to former prime minister Mossadeq.
Iranian oil commission lacks knowledge and program:
3.3(h)(2)
The Iranian oil commission which met with
Herbert Hoover, Jr., petroleum adviser to
the Department of State, on 22 and 23 October
has shown little understanding of the purpose
of the meetings and has revealed an unawareness of oil problems gen-
erally, the American embassy reported on 24 October.
The commission has been mainly preoccupied
with determining potential markets, prices and the level of production
which the National Iranian Oil Company could attain unaided. It has
given little consideration to management of the industry.
Comment: This lack of knowledge and
planning, which, according to Ambassador Henderson, extends to
Prime Minister Zahedi and the shah, indicates that considerable
time will elapse before the Iranians will be able to negotiate seriously
on the oil problem.
6. Arab League reportedly votes aid for Jordan's border defense:
The Arab League Political Committee
reportedly decided on 23 October to give
Jordan a total of two million pounds for
reanforcing the Jordanian national guard
and strengthening the defenses of the villages near the Israeli
frontier. The committee also requested those Arab states not
bordering on Israel to send troops to Jordan.
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Comment: Despite the committee's
request, there is considerable doubt that any Arab state will
send troops to Jordan. Popular pressure for more drastic action
exists, but troop maneuvers reported thus far are merely precau-
tionary measures.
7. USSR may bid on Greek request for fuel oil:
The USSR will probably bid on the Athens
Power Company's request for 200,000 tons
of fuel oil. The company is the largest
consumer in Greece and the contract would
provide the Soviet Union with an opportunity for an impressive success
In marketing fuel oil in that country.
3.3(h)(2)
The American ambassador, in noting this
possibility, stated that refusal of a low Soviet bid would prove awkward
for the government, which is eager to export agricultural products to
the USSR. Refusal would also supply new and potent material for Com-
munist propaganda.
Comment: The Greek-Soviet trade agree-
nnn
Lireece nas Deen the target of increasing Orbit interest in trade and
diplomatic relations, and the USSR, in contrast to previous practice,
might feel it worth while to submit a bid well under the world market.
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