CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1957/06/02

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Current/Central Intelligence Bulletin Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 03003297
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2019
• Document Release Date: December 20, 2019
• Publication Date: June 2, 1957

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CURRENT
INTELLIGENCE
BULLETIN
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DATE.
2 June 1957
OFFICE OF CURRENT INTELLIGENCE
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
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CONTENTS
1. GROMYKO TO ACCOMPANY AND KHRUSHCHEV
61C- ON VISIT TO FINLAND (page 3)
02. SAUDIS AT AQABA TO AVOID CLASH WITH ISRAEL UNLESS
ATTACKED ) (page 4).
0 3. FRENCH DECISION ON SUEZ TRANSIT ISSUE EXPECTED
(page 5).
b 4. ALGERIAN REBELS SEEK MORE CZECH ARMS
(page 6).
5. POLITICAL SITUATION IN LEBANON
(page 7).
0 v, 6. INDONESIA717GN MINISTER COMMENTS ON INTERNAL
r SITUATION (page 8).
7. KING ACCEPTS RESIGNATION OF LAOTIAN GOVERNMENT
(page 9).
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1. GROMYKO TO ACCOMPANY BULGANIN AND
KHRUSHCHEV ON VISIT TO FINLAND
The inclusion of Soviet foreign min-
ister Gromyko in the Bulganin-
Khrushchev entourage to Finland
6-13 June indicates, according to the
secretary general of the Finnish Foreign Ministry, that the
USSR intends to conduct "conversations of importance," al-
though very little time has been reserved for talks. Pres-
ident Kekkonen regards the development as "good news" and
the Finnish press is speculating on the possibility of Karelian
border adjustments. Karelia has a strong emotional appeal,
and most Finns are excited by the visit, since they are still
hoping to regain the historic territories ceded to the USSR in
1947.
A Moscow AFP report published in the
Helsinki newspapers states that the USSR may propose some
form of joint appeal to the Scandinavian countries on neutral-
ity, disarmament, and the abolition of atomic weapons. In
view of the special emphasis of world opinion on these issues,
a proposal along these lines is quite possible. The Finns, how-
ever, would be reluctant to be a "Soviet messenger boy" to
Scandinavia, unless they received some tangible reward.
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2. SAUDIS AT AQABA TO AVOID CLASH WITH ISRAEL
UNLESS ATTACKED
Comment on:
Saudi Arabian forces deployed in the
Aqaba area have been ordered by the
Saudi regional commander to refrain
from provoking the Israelis in nearby
'Eilat and the Gulf of Aqaba,
It was pointed
out to the Saudi commander in the Aqaba area that he was
not prepared to attack the Israelis at present, and that he
should not overlook his "lack of capabilities." If attacked,
he was instructed to fight a "defensive action."
The Saudi regional commander also
suggested to the minister of defense in Riyadh that the pres-
ent impetuous commander of the Saudi forces in Aqaba be re-
placed "lest he drag us into something while we are unpre-
pared for it."
the Saudis are unlikely to attempt to interfere militarily
with the passage of Israeli vessels to Eilat at this time. Re-
the Israelis have stepped
up military activity in the Eilat area. Saudi positions have
been reconnoitered by sea and air, and Israeli artillery has
been emplaced at Eilat. On 23 May the Saudis complained to
Egyptian commander in chief Amer that the delay in delivery
of antiaircraft guns had left Saudi positions vulnerable to
Israeli observation. The Saudi complaint may also provide
an excuse for avoiding action against Israeli shipping.
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Nome
3. FRENCH DECISION ON SUEZ TRANSIT
ISSUE EXPECTED
The consensus of France's chief
political leaders, including Foreign
Minister Pineau, favors permitting
French ships to transit Suez imme-
diately, according to a Foreign Ministry spokesman. He
believes that Premier Mollet, who is still hesitating, might
well lift the ban once the government has decided whether to
use dollars or francs to pay the tolls.
Comment A change in French policy on transit
of Suez would probably have occurred
earlier if the cabinet crisis had not intervened. In any
case, a new government can be expected to end the boycott
immediately if Mollet hesitates to act in the interim.
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4. ALGERIAN REBELS SEEK MORE CZECH ARMS
Comment
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5, POLITICAL SITUATION IN LEBANON
General Chehab, the commander of the
Lebanese army and main prop of the
present government, feels that the ma-
jority President Chamoun is striving
for in the elections beginning 9 June would
upset the delicate balance between Chris-
tians and Moslems and turn one group
against the other. He told the American
army attach�n 31 May that the Moslems, regardless of
their real sentiments would be forced into an anti-Western
position and into the Communist-Syrian-Egyptian camp. The
general believes this could be avoided if the president would
compromise with opposition leaders and give their candidates
a better chance in the elections.
The opposition has demanded that the pres-
ent government be dissolved and that General Chehab, who is
a Christian and is pro-West, take over as chief of state. While
Chehab does not like President Chamoun, he is unlikely to fol-
low such a course; nor IS he likely to accept the government's
suggestion that he oecome minister of interior. Instead, he
will probably make every effort to induce President Chamoun
to reach a compromise with the opposition.
Meanwhile, the ban on public demonstra-
tions and meetings imposed prior to the 30 May riots continues.
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6. INDONESIAN FOREIGN MINISTER COMMENTS ON
INTERNAL SITUATION
Indonesian foreign minister Subandrio
admitted to the American ambassador
on 31 May that the problem of provincial
relations with the Djakarta government
is more difficult than originally thought. He stated that the
situation in Celebes is more critical than in Sumatra. He de-
clared that army officers in Celebes, including territorial
cornmander Lt. Col. Samual, would be tried on charges of
corruption when finally replaced. He said that to avoid a
"complete breakdown," the central government must move
slowly and with discretion, maintaining the "state of war and
siege" throughout the country for several more months.
Comment Central government officials, although in
general agreement in desiring to avoid
civil conflict and in the belief that a relatively long-range ap-
proach is necessary, are sharply divided on how to solve pro-
vincial disaffection. President Sukarno and army chief of
staff Nasution are in the ascendancy among Djakarta officials
and favor a more direct and forceful policy than do most mem-
bers of the cabinet.
Sukarno and Nasution have made repeated
efforts to remove Lt. CoL Samual and on 27 May ordered his
relief, but Samual reportedly has not complied. Nasution is
now in Celebes for military conferences and a week's tour, ap-
parently to test local feeling directly and to see how far he can
safely press matters.
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7, KING ACCEPTS RESIGNATION OF
LAOTIAN GOVERNMENT
on its conduct o
The Laotian ng accepted the
resignation of the Souvanna Phouma
government on 31 May following an
adverse vote in the national assembly
Pathet Lao negotiations,
The crown prince, acting tor the
king, reportedly has indicated that as a courtesy he will first
call upon Souvanna to form a new government; however, he
does not expect him to accept the offer.
Meanwhile, Phoui Sananikone, leader
of the Independent Party, is reported to have assured Deputy
Premier Katay of the support of the Ind7endents if Katay
were called upon to form a government.
Comment Most leaders are reportedly feeling
their way cautiously in the fluid situa-
tion brought about by the collapse of the government. How-
ever, the firming of the alliance between Katay and Phoui,
who together control about 20 votes in the 39-man assembly,
provides a basis on which to build the additional support
needed to form a government. The ability of Katay to over-
come the personal enmity he has aroused among Laotian
politicians will probably determine the degree of his suc-
cess. In any event, Katay and Phoui will probably have a
strong voice in the formation of any government and will
probably press for a somewhat tougher policy toward the
Pathet Lao.
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