CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1956/11/18

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Current/Central Intelligence Bulletin Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 03002994
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 14
• Document Creation Date: October 25, 2019
• Document Release Date: October 31, 2019
• Publication Date: November 18, 1956

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18 November 1956
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FOREIGN NATIONALS
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CONTINUED CONTROL
SC No. 05752/56
Copy No. 112
CURRENT
INTELLIGENCE
BULLETIN
; . -.4T NO.
NO C,HANGE IN CLASS.
C-1 DECLASS
CLASS. CHANGED TO; TS S
. H 70-2
NEXT REVIEW DATE;
AUTH
DATE_ 1EVIEWER; ../;�
OFFICE OF CURRENT INTELLIGENCE
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
This document contains classified information affecting
the national security of the United States within the
meaning of the espionage laws, US Code Title 18, Sections
793, 794, and 798. The law prohibits its transmission
or the revelation of its contents in any manner to an un-
authorized person, as well as its use in any manner
prejudicial to the safety or interest of the United States
or for the benefit of any foreign government to the detri-
ment of the United States.
THIS DOCUMENT MUST BE KEPT IN COMMUNICATIONS
INTELLIGENCE CHANNELS AT ALL TIMES
It is to be seen only by US personnel especially indoctrinated
and authorized to receive COMMUNICATIONS INTELLIGENCE
information; its security must be maintained in accordance
with COMMUNICATIONS INTELLIGENCE REGULATIONS.
No action is to be taken on any COMMUNICATIONS INTELLIGENCE
which may be contained herein, regardless of the advantages to be
gained, unless such action is first approved by the Director of Central
Intelligence.
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CONTENTS
L THE SITUATION IN SYRIA
(page 3).
2. TURKISH MILITARY ALERT MEASURES (Top Secret) (page 4).
3. EGYPT TO INIRF. ARV. TF.RRORIBT PRESSURE ON ISRAELIS
AND BRITISH (page 5).
4. BOHLEN REPORTS RUMORS THAT KHRUSHCHEV MAY BE
SHIFTED (Confidential) (page 6).
5. USSR SEEKS TO RECOUP PRESTIGE THROUGH NEW DIS-
ARMAMENT PROPOSALS (Confidential) (page 7).
6. LATEST SOVIET NUCLEAR TEST (Secret) (page 9).
7. NASR'S COMMENTS ON RELATIONS WITH USSR
Eider) (page 10).
8. ARAB LEAGUE MEETING
(page 11).
9. STRIKES CONTINUE IN HUNGARY (Confidential) (page 12).
10. RESUMPTION OF LONG RANGE AIR FORCE OPERATIONS
IN SOVIET ARCTIC APPEARS IMMINENT
(page 13).
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bECKET
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1. THE SITUATION IN SYRIA (as of 1500, 18 November)
concentration of Syrian tanks and
roop-carrying vehicles in the suburbs
f Damascus
nor to the parliamentary session of
17 November, provides further indi-
cation that an internal Syrian crisis
ay be near.
the equipment was ordered to
amascus by the leftIst army G-2 and military strongman,
Lieutenant Colonel Sarraj, to intimidate the
counter any contemplated antileftist action.
Sarraj is preparing to arrest a number of con-
servative deputies to head off a rightist coup.
"there are the mak-
ings of a crisis between the army and the politicians," appar-
ently over action to be taken as a consequence of the recent
conference of Arab chiefs of state in Beirut.
Syrian intelligence had uncovered a plan to
stage a rightist coup in Syria, which was to have commenced
in early November with a riot in Aleppo, accompanied by an
Israeli attack on Syria, and an uprising of the Druze minority
which had been receiving arms from Iraq.
� a new crisis
is developing in Syria, and both leftist and rightist groups
are known to be well armed.
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2. TURKISH MILITARY ALERT MEASURES
The Mawkish government has instituted
a series of measures to increase the
readiness of its armed forces on the
Syrian frontier, according to the Amer-
Ankara. Internal security has also been
strengthened.
Leaves for allpersonnel have been can-
celed and all training that interferes with operational readi-
ness has been dropped. An armored battalion has been moved
to southern Turkey, reinforcing a division stationed near the
Syrian border. The Turkish air force is on stand-by alert.
The antiaircraft units, hitherto grouped in gun parks, have
moved to assigned sites and are manned on a 24-hour basis.
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3. EGYPT TO INCREASE TERRORIST PRESSURE ON
ISRAELIS AND BRITISH
Egypt has decided to un-
dertake increasingly bold terrorist
operations against Israel and against
British installations in the Near East. Although the purpose
may be to support demands for withdrawal of foreign troops
from Egyptian territory and to appease dissatisfaction with
the Nasr regime's conspicuous lack of military success, the
new Egyptian initiative increases the possibility of renewed
fighting in the area.
sabotage, particularly against power stations, and commando
operations inside Israel be resumed "immediately."
800 terrorists would have arrived in Jordan
Control over most of these individuais
who previously operated out of the Gaza strip, would be as-
sumed by Syria, and the balance would be integrated with the
Jordanian national guard.
there was no
objection to encouraging Libyan volunteers to proceed se-
cretly to Sollum in western Egypt near the Libyan border.
t these armed groups could be
used to harass British installations or to overthrow the Libyan
government.
Other evidence of increasing Egyptian
haraesment of British installations is indicated by recent in-
structions to proceed with plans for sabotage of oil installa-
tions and of facilities at the British base at the new Mafraq
airfield in Jordan.
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4. BOHLEN R,EPORTS RUMORS THAT KEIRUSHCHEV MAY
BE SHIFTED
The American embassy in Moscow re-
ports that it has received rumors during
the past few days that Khrushchev is in
trouble and may be removed as first
party. One rumor relayed on 14 November
that "Khrushchev
is on his way out" and that "Malenkov's star is rising:' On
15 November, an visiting in
Moscow claimed that a member of the Gomulka delegation
had informed him that Khrushchev "is stepping down."
Another rumor is that Khrushchev would
be replaced by Molotov as first secretary and that Khrushchev
would take charge of agricultural affairs; Malenkov would be
reappointed as chairman of the Council of Ministers, replac-
ing Bulganin.
The embassy points out that it has no con-
firmatory evidence for these rumors and notes that Khrushchev
has continued to be much in evidence and was identified as
first secretary on 16 November. He met Gomulka on the ar-
rival of the Polish delegation on 15 November and has since
headed the Soviet contingent in the negotiations with the Poles.
Comment The continuing ill effects of Soviet liberal-
ization policy toward the Satellites has
probably put the Khrushchev leadership squarely on the de-
fensive and made Khrushchev, as architect of this policy, the
most vulnerable to attack. At the same time, other Soviet
leaders who may have long favored a tougher line probably
now regard their position as vindicated by events in Hungary,
and their views may have greater influence in "collective" de-
cisions of the near future. Accordingly, some shift in the
balance of power within the party presidium may be taking
place, although there are no other indications that Khrushchev
is scheduled for quick removal.
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5. USSR SEEKS TO RECOUP PRESTIGE THROUGH NEW
DISARMAMENT PROPOSALS
The Soviet statement of 17 November
on disarmament and easing interna-
tional tension is a major propaganda
maneuver designed to divert world at-
tention from the setbacks sustained by
Soviet policies and prestige in Eastern Europe and to re-
capture the diplomatic initiative. It was aimed particularly
at reassuring neutralist governments and the USSR's friends
throughout the world that Moscow's threatening posture in
the Middle East crisis and its suppression of the Hungarian
uprising do not foreshadow the abandonment of the "soft"
approach in foreign affairs of the past eighteen months.
The Soviet leaders have seized upon the
Swiss government's proposal for a five-power conference
of heads of government to call for another summit meeting
to consider this latest omnibus disarmament plan. They
probably believe that new moves in the disarmament field
offer the most effective means of exploiting widespread con-
cern over the Middle East conflict and of striking a blow at
the NATO alliance.
The statement was intended to show that
the USSR is exercising restraint in the Middle East crisis in
contrast to the "reckless adventures" of the Western powers.
This theme of restraint, however, is accompanied by a pointed
reminder of Western Europe's vulnerability to Soviet military
power. The statement contends that if the USSR had in fact
been guided by the aggressive intentions which the West has as-
cribed to it, it could have used, the present situation "for coming
out against the armed forces of the Atlantic bloc and could ac-
complish the military aims with regard to Western Europe as-
cribed to it, even without the use of up-to-date nuclear and
rocket weapons:'
The Soviet leaders probably expect this
reminder, together with the announcement of the nuclear
weapons test, will have an inhibiting effect on the actions of
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Britain and France in the Middle East and promote neu-
tralism in Europe. They were probably encouraged to
deliver their implied threat by a belief that the cease-fire
in Egypt was the direct result of Bulganin's threatening
notes of 5 November to Eden, Mallet and Ben-Gurion.
The only new feature in the statement's
disarmament proposals is the expression of Moscow's read-
iness to "examine" the question of using aerial photography
"in the area of Europe where forces of the Atlantic bloc and
Warsaw pact member states are stationed to a depth of up
to 800 kilometers (about 500 miles) to the west and east from
the border line of the above-mentioned forces:' This shift on
aerial inspection was intended to create the impression that
the USSR has made an important concession to the West in an
effort to break the deadlock on disarmament, whereas almost
no Soviet territory is involved and much of Western Europe is
included.
The statement's seven-point program was
drawn from various Soviet disarmament plans over the past
eighteen months. Unlike the proposals of 10 May 1955 and
27 March 1956, this latest package plan does not offer a logi-
cal and coherent disarmament procedure. The seven points
selected were those calculated to produce the most favorable
immediate impact on world opinion. (CONFIDENTIAL)
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6, LATEST SOVIET NUCLEAR TEST
Comment
The USSR announced that on 17 Novem-
ber it had conducted a successful nuclear
weapon test at great altitude.
an explo-
sion occurred in the vicinity of the Se-mipalatinsk nuclear
weapons proving ground at about 0820Z on 17 November.
Preliminary data
the weapon was detonated at an
altitude not greater than 10,000 feet. The yield is tenta-
tively estiiated to fal within the high kiloton or low mega-
ton range.
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7. NASR'S COMMENTS ON RELATIONS WITH USSR
President Nasr in commenting on British
allegations of a huge military build-up
preparatory to a joint Soviet-EKvntian at-
tack on Israel told that
. He said he had lost about 30 Soviet tanks
and 20 armored vehicles and quantities of other non-Soviet
equipment. He admitted he had also lost the military stores
at his forward maintenance base, but he insisted his losses
of Soviet equipment in Sinai had not been heavy.
Regarding Soviet volunteers, he stated
that he had oral and written assurances from the USSR on this
subject and he would only have to ask for assistance and the
Soviet Union would come to his aid or "lose face:' Nasr as-
serted he had decided to go it alone, except for such assist-
ance as he might get from the UN, not bringing the Russians
in and running the risk of World War III.
Comment
tend to sup-
port Nasr's assertion that he is still maintaining considerable
independence in his dealings with Moscow. It is probable that
Nasr hopes ultimately to assume an independent position be-
tween the Communist bloc and the West.
Israel apparently has captured a large
quantity of materiel in Sinai. It has not, however, revealed
the capture of a stockpile of modern equipment such as might
be . expected had the USSR planned to use this materiel in a
major Middle East action.
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8, ARAB LEAGUE MEETING
The meeting of representatives of
nine Arab states on 13 and 14 Novem-
ber, which was called to review the
situation resulting from the British--
French-Israeli action against Egypt,
again revealed basic Arab disunity
and did not achieve solid Arab align-
ment behind Egypt. The final com-
munique was couched in generalities
and vaguely threatened joint military
action but did not even include an
unequivocal decision that all Arabs
break diplomatic relations with France
and Britain, something Egypt report-
edly pressed for. Apparently no
decision was reached on financial
aid to Jordan.
The weak government of
Lebanese premier Yafi fell as the conference adjourned.
the government fell over the question of
breaking diplomatic relations with Britain and France. Yafi
wished to break relations but President Chamoun did not.
In Washington the Egyptian ambassador,
commenting on the conference said, "the
results were not very good' me Israeli press ana radio,
usually well-informed on Arab affairs, is reporting the meet-
us setback for President Nasr of Egypt.
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9. STRIKES CONTINUE IN HUNGARY
The regime of Janos Kadar has tightened
restrictions on the delivery and distribu-
tion of food in Budapest in an effort to
exert increased pressure on workers, who
have apparently largely ignored a call by
the Central Workers Council of Budapest
to end the general strike. Only govern-
ment food trucks are permitted to enter
the city and no individuals may go into the
country for supplies.
The American legation in Bucharest re-
ported on 16 November
the pas-
sage of sealed freight cars loaded with
young Hungarians through Cluj, Predeal
and Ploesti en route to the Soviet border. The
says Kadar told worker groups on 16 Novem-
ber that he was powerless to stop deportations. The Soviet
Military Command has said reports of deportations were "in
error,"
In an attempt to reorganize the remnants
of the army, Minister of Armed Forces Muennich on 16 Novem-
ber ordered all army personnel who were:still away from their
places of duty to report by 1900 on 18 November or be consid-
ered deserters. This move may be a forerunner to a purge of
military personnel who supported, and continue to support, the
insurgents against the Soviet troops.
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10. RESUMPTION OF LONG RANGE AIR FORCE OPERATIONS
IN SOVIET ARCTIC APPEARS IMMINENT
Tiksi
airfield in the central Arctic was open
to TU-4 (BULL) and TU-16 (BADGER)
medium bombers, M-4 (BISON) jet heavy bombers and TU-95
(BEAR) turboprop heavy bombers. Such serviceability reports
usually precede use of the airfield by the specified types of
aircraft.
Comment
The use of Tiksi airfield by TU-95's and
M-4's would mark the first appearance of
Soviet heavy bombers in the central Arctic.
During the spring of this year, small
numbers of TU-4's and TU-16's operating out of Severomorsk
and Amderma made long overwater flights � the western and
central Arctic as far east as Tiksi. Since LjOctober there
have been indications
of a resumption ot Long Range Air rorce opera-
tions in me Arctic. Recent preparations suggest that the :im-
pending operations extend as far east as Cape Schmidt on the
Chukotsk Peninsula.
Operations in the Soviet eastern and cen-
tral Arctic by medium and heavy bombers would represent a
further development in Long Range Air Force training.
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