CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1955/10/30

Document Type: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
03002342
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
U
Document Page Count: 
11
Document Creation Date: 
September 20, 2019
Document Release Date: 
September 26, 2019
Sequence Number: 
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
October 30, 1955
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PDF icon CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULL[15722000].pdf239.59 KB
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F47,17"1/10///,�,0:rved f�r Rejease, 2�1(9E9/6 c5;) ://i, 7:310314 / 3.5(c) 30 October 1955 �// 3.3(h)(2) Copy No. to 0 CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN DOCUMENT NO V NO 'CHANGE IN CLASS. El DECLASSIFIED CLASS. CHANGED TO: TS S C NEXT REVIEW DATE. AUTH: HR DATE:. 4.. NeoP REVIEWER: Office of Current Intelligence CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY TOP SECRET Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03002342 Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03002342 *we Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03002342 Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03002342 A 6-0 A.4%,,A %A/ �OPIY CONTENTS 1. SOVIET JOURNALISTS EXPRESS VIEWS ON GENEVA CONFERENCE AGENDA (page 3). 2. FURTHER EGYPTIAN-ISRAELI BORDER INCIDENTS LIKELY (page 4). 3. (page b). (page 6). 5. SYRIA AND SAUDI ARABIA REPORTED COMBINING WITH EGYPT TO OBTAIN CZECH ARMS (page 7). 6. INDONESIAN AMBASSADOR IN MOSCOW FAVORABLY IMPRESSED BY EGYPTIAN ARMS DEAL (page 8). 7. NEW RAILROAD THROUGH MONGOLIA NEARLY COMPLETED (page 9). 30 Oct 55 Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 2 TOP SECRET Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03002342 Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03002342 1. SOVIET JOURNALISTS EXPRESS VIEWS ON GENEVA CONFERENCE AGENDA �oviet journalists in Geneva have expressed the view that little progress can be made on the question of Germany and that East-West talks should be ad- dressed to other issues "that require immediate atten- tion," the Middle East in particular and also the Far East. When reminded that the foreign min- isters conference had been called to discuss Germany and European security, one of the journalists replied, "You cannot remain fixed when events have run away from an agenda established last summer." He said that if the United States introduced the question of the Middle East even informally at Geneva, the USSR would propose a con- ference. Reverting to Germany, he said, "We have plenty of time." Comment These remarks probably reflect the views of high-level Soviet officials. �The USSR appears to be preparing to shift attention from an anticipated stalemate at Geneva to the Middle East and the Far East which it believes offer better opportunities to achieve objectives such as promoting "neutralism" and exploiting the divisive effects of its "Geneva spirit" policy. The Soviet Foreign Ministry press chief announced on 27 October at Geneva that the USSR is considering a Chinese Communist proposal to hold a big power Far East confer- ence in the near future. 30 Oct 55 Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 3 TOP SECRET Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03002342 Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03002342 t.a 0111.1-.4 1111Pr' '4FIRe 2. FURTHER EGYPTIAN-ISRAELI BORDER INCIDENTS LIKELY Comment The Egyptian order and known Israeli preparedness suggest that new border incidents almost certainly will occur. Egypt is not ready for a war, and Israel is still seeking support in interna- tional circles. Either country could exploit the expand- ing violence on the frontier on the basis of self-defense. 30 Oct 55 Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 4 TOP SECRET Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03002342 Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03002342 74-1I ij Lj.,L t la A vow' Nfurf 30 Oct 55 Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 5 "re 1,1 Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03002342 Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03002342 1 A.-71.-A.- .41.11.-A 30 Oct 55 Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 6 rr 1-11-1 1-11 1-� PT, Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03002342 Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03002342 � Neer 5. SYRIA AND SAUDI ARABIA REPORTED COMBINING WITH EGYPT TO OBTAIN CZECH ARMS Unconfirmed reports have reached the American embassy in Cairo that the Egyptian arms agreement with Czechoslovakia is being amended to include Syria and Saudi Arabia. Reportedly a tripartite headquarters has been established in Cairo, with a pur- chasing pool to be formed with the aid of Saudi money which will allocate the purchased equipment to the areas of highest military priority. Comment Saudi Arabia and Syria have previously indicated an interest in obtaining arms. The proposed arrangement would be in line with Saudi and Egyptian attempts to establish a tripartite Egyptian-Syrian- Saudi pact as a counter to the Iraqi-Turk "Northern Tier" pact. Such a move, also, would meet no objections from the USSR. Previous information does not indicate, however, that a tripartite mechanism has yet been set up. Egypt and Saudi Arabia have signed a bilateral military pact, which the Saudi's have reportedly supported with a financial grant to Egypt of 40 million Egyptian pounds. The Egyptian-Syrian pact, however, though initialed, is not known to be formally signed, nor has it been given the re- quired ratification by the Syrian parliament. 30 Oct 55 Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 7 s-rf rt C, r, '7' Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03002342 Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03002342 V I S. .1 Nome' "a010' 6. INDONESIAN AMBASSADOR IN MOSCOW FAVORABLY IMPRESSED BY EGYPTIAN ARMS DEAL Indonesian ambassador Subandrio in Moscow has told an American embassy official that Egypt's deci- sion to purchase Czech arms is making a profound impression not only in the Middle East but also in the new countries of the Far East. He denied, however, that Indonesia planned to purchase arms from the Soviet bloc and inferred that Indonesia would be inclined to approach Britain or the United States instead. Subandrio gave the impression that he accepts Soviet expressions of good will at face value and believes that help in developing Indonesia can be ex- pected from the Soviet Union. He also apparently ac- cepts Soviet assertions that the Indonesian Communist Party is not subservient to the USSR, as indicated by its recent election campaign on "non-Communist platforms." Subandrio said the party's "respectability" made it easier for Indonesia to deal with the Soviet Union on a straight government-to-government basis. Comment An Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokes- man stated on 5 October that the Egyp- tian arms purchase was "understandable" as a reflection of an independent foreign policy and of the "gigantic task of construction and consolidation" which faces all Asian and African countries. Czechoslovakia has built two small factories for Indonesia, and East German experts are con- structing a sugar mill. So far Indonesia has not responded to general offers of technical and capital assistance extended by the Soviet Union, 30 Oct 55 Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 8 el no Cy 1".r* r) r."7' Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03002342 Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03002342 vi .J.L.A....AA.1-4 1 Nri "lowv 7. NEW RAILROAD THROUGH MONGOLIA NEARLY COMPLETED The new Sino-Soviet railroad through Mongolia, which Peiping Radio has just announced would be opened to traffic on 1 January 1956, will greatly reduce Communist China's U. S. S. R. SEA OF 0 HOTS'S' 00 KOMSOMOLSIC AST cirrATA SEA- 0 FORMOSA ag OCTOBER 1955 SelectecV RAllroatV I go 29.9 399 390 090 NautleallMile-a� 5 isp 290 390 390 SOP Statute Miles 51cA9) blockade vulnerability and provide the bloc with a more secure inner line of communication to China proper. 30 Oct 55 Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 9 TOP SECRET Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03002342 Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03002342 I vi �upe Being 750 miles shorter than the present Moscow-Peiping rail link with the Trans-Siberian Railway through Manchuria, this line will become a major artery for trade between the USSR and Communist China. Its estimated initial capacity of 2,700,000 tons each way annually will add more than 50 percent to the present capac- ity of Sino-Soviet rail connections. prepared by ORR) 30 Oct 55 Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 10 TOP SECRET Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03002342