CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1959/08/25

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02989914
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RIPPUB
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U
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12
Document Creation Date: 
February 25, 2020
Document Release Date: 
February 27, 2020
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Publication Date: 
August 25, 1959
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Approved for Release. 2020/02/21 CO2989914 �TOP�SECRET� 3.5(c) 3.3(h)(2) 25 August 1959 Copy No. C (i�i CENTRAL IYTELLIGENCE BULLETIN DOCUMENT NO. NO CHANGE IN CLASS I DECLASSIFIED CLASS. CHANGED TO: IS S�C NEX1 REVIEW DATE. 20L IN;jAT144/H iStIREVIEWER �TOP�SECRET Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 CO2989914 Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 CO2989914 . TOP SECRET Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 CO2989914 Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 CO2989914 NIS 25 AUGUST 1959 I. THE COMMUNIST BLOC IL ASIA-AFRICA Laos--French and British repre- sentatives in Laos now believe situation critical; Hammarskjold suggests mediation formula to Nehru. Yemen-- The Imam's purge con- tinues; Cairo considering with- drawal of some experts in its train- ing mission. III. THE WEST French schedule further reconnais- sance flights over Libya. Brazil�Riots over economic condi- tions a possibility in Sao Paulo. Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 CO2989914 V Aff" Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 CO2989914 ikosiretr�Stt�ITZ-1� 4/ Fl DAILY BRIEF I. THE COMMUNIST BLOC II. ASIA-AFRICA Laos: ie French military attach�n Laos has revised his previous optimistic estimate of the military situation in northeastern Laos and now believes the situation is critical. The British ambassador too believes the situation has turned critical during the past two weeks. Secretary General Hammar- skjold, meanwhile, has sent a letter to Nehru suggesting that the latter approach both Hanoi and Vientiane to work out a formula calling for a "mediator who would be from a neutral and non-Asian country! (Page 1) Yemen: The Imam is continuing his purge of dissident and reformist elements, both civilian and military. The Imam's attitude toward the UAR training mission is uncertain, and Cairo is considering the withdrawal of some of its ex- perts. The American Legation in Taiz reports widespread dis- may among Rules followers, and a number of Yemeni officials have stated openly that there is "little hope for improvement of the country as long as the Imam lives." (Page 3) III. THE WEST France-Libya: khe French Ministry of Defense has noti- fied the US air attach�f plans for additional French Air Force 'V. reconnaissance flights over Libya to observe suspected Algerini CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN 25 August 1959 , II r///777 A ' Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 CO2989914 'Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 CO2989914 K/'; (71-3-Clert=1�� Ethel activity. The overflights, set for 26 August and 2 September, are to follow the same routes as those of 29 July and 5 August which apparently went unnoticed by the Libyan Government-) Brazif: Riots protesting the shortage of basic foods and tle�co:Titinuing increase in the cost of living may erupt In the industrial Sao Paulo area. The illegal Communist Li party is probably ready to participate actively in any public (br- disturbances. State police would have difficulty in control- ling any large-scale riots and might have to summon army help. (Page 4) 25 Aug 59 DAILY BRIEF , TOP SECRET / 11 n'PP '4� E����.4-- r:�44 Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 CO2989914 Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 CO2989914 N." SECRET I. THE COMMUNIST BLOC IL ASIA-AFRICA Situation in Laos [The French military attache in Laos says that he has re- vised his earlier optimistic appraisal of military developments in northeastern Laos and now feels the situation is critical. The British ambassador believes the situation in Sam Neua Province turned critical during the past two weeks and that Communist dissidence is expanding to the point where it is doubtful whether the government can hold the provinces. Pro-Communist refugees in northeastern Thailand are re- ported to have crossed into Laos in small bands totaling several hundred. These refugees may be used to foment unrest among the more than 14,000 Vietnamese already estimated to be living in southern Laos. Press stories of "panic" in the royal capital of Luang Prabang as a result of reports that rebels had probed to within 30 miles of that city probably are greatly exaggerated. There have been re- cent reports of some small-scale Communist activity in the east- ern part of the province of Luang Prabang, and rumors of this activity may have stimulated a few inhabitants of Luang Prabang to flee the city. 25 Aug 59 SECRET CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 1 Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 CO2989914 Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 CO2989914 EA.,1�.1.:4 1 NNW If, as expected, the USSR turns down the British plan to send a UN observer to Laos, London may suggest a joint UK- Soviet proposal to the Laotian Government to recall the ICC. Britain, anticipating Laos refusal, believes this move would make clear that the only possible peaceful solution is through the UN. As an alternative, London favors enlisting the "good offices" of Nehru. UN Secretary General Hammarskjold wrote to the Indian prime minister on 22 August suggesting that he approach Hanoi and Vientiane in an effort to work out a formula paving the way for the appointment of a "neutral" mediator who, Hammarskjold feels, should probably not be Asian. Hammar- skjoldis letter was the result of definite indications from the Laotian emissary that discussions with Nehru would have more chance of success than an approach through the Geneva cochair- men.] SECRET 25 Aug 59 CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 2 Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 CO2989914 Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 CO2989914 No, Imam Continuing Purge in Yemen The purge of dissident and reformist elements which the Imam began immediately following his return from Italy ap- pears to have developed into a sweeping roundup of the mil- itary and civilians, including tribal elements and government personnel. Many of these will probably be executed or at least mutilated as the Imam threatened in his bloodthirsty speech on 12 August. Some of the elements involved took part in disturbances during the Imam's absence; some supported the reformist program which was attempted by Crown Prince Badr and which the Imam probably interprets as an attempt to undercut his own authority. The American Legation on 17 August reported rumors that Wes followers are planning to flee the country. Yemeni of- ficials are much concerned over possible changes by the Imam and have openly stated that they have "little hope for improve- ment of the country as long as the Imam lives." The government machinery appears to be nearly at a standstill. The Imam's attitude toward the UAR training mission is uncertain, and Cairo is considering the withdrawal of some of its experts. 25 Aug 59 TOP SECRET CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 3 Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 CO2989914 Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 CO2989914 SECRET NNW III. THE WEST Brazilian Economic Unrest May Lead to Riots Social unrest over the cost of living and shortages of staple foods has mounted in the past week in industrial Sao Paulo and could lead to strikes and riots which would probably be exploited by the Communists, according to the American Consulate Gen- eral. Sao Paulo states officials are concerned over the situation, and the governor reportedly conferred with President Kubitschek on 14 August about security measures,. The police would prob- ably have difficulty controlling a mass demonstration and might have to summon army reinforcements. The cost of living in Sao Paulo increased over 17 percent in the first five months of the year and probably rose even more in July and August as a result of the food shortages. The fed- eral government's emergency program to control prices and in- crease food production, instituted last March, brought some temporary relief but has not yet had a major impact on the sit- uation. A business recession in Sao Paulo and extensive unemploy- ment in the construction industry are probably contributing to the unrest. The American Embassy has reported growing public im- patience in Rio de Janeiro with shortages and price increases, and demonstrations have occurred in other cities. The press has reported an announcement by the Brazilian � Federal Price Control Agency that the government may take over foreign-owned meat-packing firms in an effort to relieve the cur- rent shortage of meat. This threat is probably intended partly to divert attention from other more serious basic shortages, as well as to force the meat-packing companies to resume operations under government price controls. Protests over the cost of living and the business recession will probably reinforce President Kubitschek's reluctance to adopt an austerity program as a basis for reopening loan t lks with the International Monetary Fund. Brazil's dollar receipts were unex- pectedly high in July, but a new foreign-exchange crisis is likely within a few months. 25 Aug 59 SECRET CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 4 Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 CO2989914 Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 CO2989914 �SWAMI Nrse 'tear' CORRECTION: In the Central Intelligence Bulletin of 22 Au- gust 1959, change the last sentence of the first paragraph of Item_1Pae1 "CIges in Soviet Closed Areas," as follows The Arctic city of Vorkuta, notorious as a major forced- labor camp during the Stalinist period, is the site of a Soviet civil airfield suitable for some Long Range Air Force use and is on the rail line to Polyarny Ural, a lo- cation suspected of being associated with the program for producing intercontinental ballistic missiles and earth satellite vehicles. 25 Aug 59 CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 5 Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 CO2989914 -PAAW-M1."Nrrrn A Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 CO2989914 Noe 1110"' THE PRESIDENT The Vice President Executive Offices of the White House Special Assistant for National Security Affairs Scientific Adviser to the President Director of the Budget If ice of Defense and Civilian Mobilization Director, National Aeronautics and Space Administration Special Assistant for Security Operations Coordination Board of Consultants on Foreign Intelligence Activities Special Assistant for Foreign Economic Policy Executive Secretary, National Security Council The Treasury Department The Secretary of the Treasury The Department of State The Secretary of State The Under Secretary of State The Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs The Deputy Under Secretary for Political Affairs The Deputy Under Secretary for Administration The Counselor Director, International Cooperation Administration The Director of Intelligence and Research The Department of Defense The Secretary of Defense The Deputy Secretary of Defense Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs The Secretary of the Army The Secretary of the Navy The Secretary of the Air Force The Chairman, The Joint Chiefs of Staff Commandant, United States Marine Corps The Director, The Joint Staff Chief of Staff, United States Army Chief of Naval Operations, United States Navy Chief of Staff, United States Air Force Assistant to Secretary of Defense for Special Operations Director for Intelligence, The Joint Staff Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Department of Army Director of Naval Intelligence, Department of Navy Assistant Chief of Staff, Intelligence, Department of the Air Force Supreme Allied Commander, Europe Commander in Chief, Pacific The Department of Commerce The Secretary of Commerce Federal Bureau of Investigation The Director Atomic Energy Commission The Chairman National Security Agency The Director National Indications Center The Director CONFIDENTIA L Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 CO2989914 01;IN PrTOPSECRET 1."� 0 0. 0 0 $ .0 0 0 0 0 if 0 0 / 0 0 0 0 0 - 0 - 0 :#,./ % // 0 -TOP-SKRET- g' e$4 ie