CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1954/12/23

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Current/Central Intelligence Bulletin Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 03009189
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 9
• Document Creation Date: August 20, 2019
• Document Release Date: August 30, 2019
• Publication Date: December 23, 1954

APProved for Release: 2019/08713 C03009189
Kr."7,071)7A
0. .4
0,4
-
Approved
TO)-55.ECRET
23 December 1954
3.3(h)(2;
3.5(c)
1
Copy No,
CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN
DOCUMENT NO
NO CHANGE IN CLASS.
Li DECLASSIFIED
CLASS. CHANGED TO: TS S
NEXT REVIEW DATE:
AUTH: HI-1 70-2
DATE: 7,7/49.a_ REVIEWER:
80
Office of Current Intelligence
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
TOP CRET
for Release: 2019/08/13 C03009189
(
Approved for Release:, 2019/08/13 C03009189
'44�01 Iverf
SUMMARY
SOVIET UNION
1. American embassy comments on possible split in Soviet leader-
ship (page 3).
2, Indications of TIJ-16 jet medium bomber production at Kuibyshev
(page 3).
FAR EAST
3.
- 40 Peiping sidesteps discussing Burmese uommumb�b
(page 5).
�
SOUTHEAST ASIA
WI L11
5. Chinese .Indonesian agreement on dual nationality reached
(page 6).
NEAR EAST - AFRICA
4-1 vroN
69 Iraqi prime minister staling on Middle East defense (riaae 6).
7.
EASTERN EUROPE
8. War-scare rumors reported in Prague and Bucharest (page 8).
9. Shipment of Soviet military equipment into East Germany reaches
new peak (page 8).
LATIN AMERICA
10. Forceful attempt to oust Costa Rican regime may be imminent
(page 9)0 * * * *
23 Dec 54
CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN
Page 2
Fr, Artri nrsr4,-r,
Approved for Release: 2019/08/13 C03009189
�
Approved for Release: 2019/08/13 C03009189
serf
SOVIET UNION
1. American embassy comments on possible split in Soviet leader-
ship:
The American embassy in Moscow re-
ports substantial differences between
the party paper, Pravda, and the gov-
ernment paper, Izvestia, in their ex-
ensiwe coverage of th�niversary of Stalin's birthday. While
signed articles in both papers contained certain points in common,
Pravda repeatedly emphasized the need for growth of heavy indus-
try and touched on the people's welfare only incidentally. Izvestia
emphasized consumers' goods and the people's welfare, and men-
tioned heavy industry only in passing.
The embassy comments that the strik-
ing difference in press treatment would appear to reflect a possi-
ble division in the leadership over the exact course of action the
Soviet government should take when actually confronted with West
German rearmament. The embassy considers it logical that
differences on this subject would result in debate over the priority
of heavy versus light industry as part of the central issue relating
to the effect which an increase in military production and expendi-
tures would have on domestic economic policy.
Comment: For the past 30 years policy
differences among the Soviet IeiTirs have not been reflected in
the Soviet press. If this is now the case, it suggests that impend-
ing decisions with regard to Germany have caused serious differ-
ences among the top Soviet leaders, with the result that a unified
approach to the problem has not been arrived at.
2. Indications of TU-16 jet medium bomber production at Kuibyshev:
23 Dec 54
CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN
Page 3
Approved for Release: 2019/08/13 C03009189
Approved for Release: 2019/08/13 C03009189
*Ire
Nue
Comment:
the TU-16, which can be compared to the
B-47, is being produced at one or both aircraft plants at Kuibyshev.
Previously, production of the. TU-16 had
been indicated only at Kazan, where an estimated peak rate of
24 per month could be :produced. Initiation of series production
at either one of the Kuibyshev plants would provide an additional
capacity for manufacturing 18 jet medium bombers per month
when maximum production is reached.
Re-equipment of TU-4 piston medium
bomber units with TU-16's was begun early this year, To date,
two regiments--both in the western USSR--have converted to the
TU-16.
23 Dec 54
FAR EAST
CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 4
rrilD rqDri-r
Approved for Release: 2019/08/13 C03009189
rrgeN ri
Approved for Release: 20,19/08/13 C030,09189
4. Peiping sidesteps discussing Burmese Communists with U Nu:
Burmese premier U Nu told newsmen in
Rangoon on 20 December that during his
conversations in Peiping, Chinese Com-
munist leaders professed ignorance of
the existence of three leaders of the insurgent Burma Communist
Party. U Nu stated that the Kachin renegade Naw Seng had also
been discussed, but he declined to reveal what was said.
Comment: This is the first indication
that despite apparent satisfaction with the general results of his
trip, U Nu was disappointed over the Chinese Communist posi-
tion on specific questions. His public reference to Peiping 's pro-
fessed ignorance of the three Communist leaders may have been
intended to play down their importance and to have a possible ad-
verse effect on Burmese Communist morale.
Of the three individuals in question,
Thakin Than Tun is internationally known as the leading Commu-
nist in Burma; the other two are reported to have entered China
a year ago for training. Naw Seng has been in China for several
years, where he is reported to have organized under Communist
auspices a Kachin guerrilla force estimated to number about
1,500 men.
23 Dec 54 CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETlN Page 5
Tf)P RFT
Approved for Release: 2019/08/13 C03009189
Approved for Release: 2019/08/13 C03009189
SOUTHEAST ASIA
5. Chinese-Indonesian agreement on dual nationality reached:
China and
Indonesia had reached agreement on
the renunciation of Chinese nationality
by those Overseas Chinese in Indonesia who wished to adopt
Indonesian citizenship. A joint declaration of principles is likely
to be issued in the next day or two. The status of Overseas
Chinese who do not desire Indonesian citizenship will be dealt
with in subsequent negotiations,
Comment: China's past insistence on
the principle of dual nationality has been a major irritant to
Southeast Asian countries, and the abandonment of this princi-
ple will be viewed favorably by these countries. Indonesia in
particular has been pressing for an agreement for the past two
years in order to clarify the status of Overseas Chinese before
proceeding with the country's first elections.
NEAR EAST - AFRICA
6. Iraqi prime minister stalling on Middle East defense:
Iraq's prime minister Nun i Said told
Ambassador Gallman on 21 December
that he needed "clarification" on how
far the United States and Britain would
go beyond their NATO commitments before he could sign any
defense agreement with Turkey. He declared his ultimate hope
for a regional defense pact based on the collective security pro-
visions of the UN charter.
23 Dec 54 CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 6
TriP C DE "T
Approved for Release: 2019/08/13 C03009189
"%aro
17, I. T"fi ry 11-10.1",
Approved for Release: 2019/08/13 C03009189
Nitre
Nun i said that he was not prepared to
sign any kind of defense agreement when Turkish prime minister
Menderes visits Baghdad on 6 Ja,nuary. He stated that Egypt's
opposition made it difficult for Iraq to sign a pact with Turkey
now unless it were joined by the United States and Britain. He
added that until there was a more stable internal situation in
Egypt, Syria, and Iran, it was difficult for him to deal with those
countries.
Gallman comments that Nun i is "obvi-
ously stalling" and that the conversation was "inconclusive."
Comment: Nun 's current statements,
contradicting his previous ones reported by Gallman on 7 Decem-
ber, are in line with his usual maneuvering and bargaining. He
apparently hopes to obtain the same kind of assistance and guaran-
tees accorded Turkey and Pakistan.
23 Dec 54
CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 7
7Y)P D
Approved for Release: 2019/08/13 C03009189
Approved for Release: 2019/08/13 C03009189
*NO
EASTERN EUROPE
8. War-scare rumors reported in Prague and Bucharest:
War =scare rumors are reported to be
current in two East European Satellite
capitals. Western diplomatic sources
in Czechoslovakia and Rumania have
been informed there are rumors of
imminent call-ups of Satellite reserves,
movement of Soviet troops, and in-
creased civil defense precautions. However, these sources have
seen no evidence to support the rumors.
rumors are part of the present political barrage being raised
against the rearmament of West Germany.
9, Shipment of Soviet military equipment into East Germany reaches
new peak:
Rail shipment tabulations made by Head-
quarters, US Army, Europe, indicate
that the total number of Soviet military
cargo vehicles arriving in East Germany
rom anuary through November is larger than the total for
any previous full year since World War IL Incomplete totals in-
dicate the arrival of 16,500 cargo vehicles, as compared with the
return to the USSR of only 6,000 worn-out vehicles. In addition,
500 tanks, substantial numbers of armored scout cars and per-
sonnel carriers, and artillery have arrived, with relatively small
outgoing shipments reported.
US Army, Europe, believes this year's
replacement and maintenance program is intended to modernize
23 Dec 54 CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 8
"MD CIP-t r