CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1955/04/02

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Current/Central Intelligence Bulletin Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 03017433
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 11
• Document Creation Date: September 20, 2019
• Document Release Date: September 26, 2019
• Publication Date: April 2, 1955

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REF
2 April 1955
Copy No. 94
c40//r:
CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN
DOCUMENT NO
NO CHANGE IN CLASS
El DECLASSIFIED
CLASS. CHANGED TO: T$ S
NEXT REVIEW DATE: 2-C) t p
AUTH: HR 70-2
DATE' nvx 4 REVIEWER
Office
CENTRAL
of Current Intelligence
INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
3.3(h)(2)
3.5(c)
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SUMMARY
GENERAL
1. Soviet support to Syria (page 3).
2. Moch offers new disarmament proposal for UN subcommittee's
consideration (page 3).
SOVIET UNION
3. Khrushchev says Soviet foreign policy designed to sober "aggres-
sive circles" (page 4).
4. Soviet fighter units in East Germany begin conversion to MIG-17's
(page 5).
FAR EAST
5. Comment on Japanese delegates to Afro-Asian conference (page 6).
SOUTHEAST ASIA
6. French-Vietnamese tension increases over Binh Xuyen issue
(page 6).
7. French and British urge Laotian ultimatum to Pathets (page 7).
SOUTH ASIA
8. Comment on anti-Pakistan riots in Afghanistan (page 8).
NEAR EAST - AFRICA
9. Further trouble expected in Algeria (page 9).
THE FORMOSA STRAITS
(page 10)
* * *
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GENERAL
1. Soviet
support to Syria:
Comment: Moscow probably is attempt-
ing to stiffen the Syrian government in order to intensify the
Turkish-Syrian dispute. By using this indirect approach, it
avoids any firm commitment or direct intervention in which the
USSR would appear to be causing increased tension in the area. �
The Soviet propaganda campaign against Turkish efforts to bring
Syria into Western-oriented Middle East defense arrangements
has been recently intensified.
2.
Moch offers new disarmament proposal for UN subcommittee's
consideration:
At a meeting on 31 March of Western
delegates to the current UN disarmament
subcommittee talks in London, French
�
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delegate Jules Moch advanced a proposal to meet Soviet objections
that the four powers were unwilling to set specific time limits for
reductions and prohibitions in a disarmament program. This pro-
posal called for starting action to reduce nuclear weapons after
75 percent of the agreed-on reduction in conventional armaments
had been completed. He said his plan had not yet been communi-
cated to Paris.
The British delegate endorsed the plan,
saying it "seemed to be a novel and useful way to meet Malik's
criticism" of the previous Western proposals.
American ambassador Wadsworth criti-
cizes the plan as dealing with details before principles have been
determined. Furthermore, the USSR has not divulged its posi-
tion on the most important aspects of disarmament.
Comment: Moch's proposal could appeal
to the French government as a way of bolstering its claim to great-
power status and of emphasizing, largely for internal political
reasons, that real efforts are being made to negotiate with the
Russians. British support for his plan could encourage Moch in
his efforts to reach common ground with the USSR.
The British approach to disarmament
has been characterized by a desire to offer the USSR the best pos-
sible terms, primarily in order to force the USSR to reject them
under most embarrassing conditions.
SOVIET UNION
3. Khrushchev says Soviet foreign policy designed to sober "aggres-
sive circles":
Indonesian ambassador Subandrio, who
recently had an interview with N. S.
Khrushchev, has told Ambassador Bohlen
that Khrushchev had stated that the Bul-
gan n governmen s irmer tone in foreign affairs as compared with
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that of "the previous government" should not be interpreted as
reflecting any aggressive intentions. It was designed, he said,
to sober aggressive circles abroad, especially in the United
States.
Khrushchev also declared that the
USSR was not afraid of American bases since the Americans
must be aware that the USSR could destroy these bases with
"a blow."
Comment: The recent criticisms of
Malenkov's statement concerning the "destruction of civiliza-
tion" in a future war, the harsh tone of Molotov's foreign policy
speech to the Supreme Soviet on 8 February and the increase
in the USSR's defense budget suggest that the present leaders
were dissatisfied with Malenkov's foreign policy and are anxious
to avoid any appearance of weakness or uncertainty.
4. Soviet fighter units in East Germany begin conversion to MG-17's:
Five MIG-17 jet fighter aircraft were
Identified at Zerbst airfield,
south-
west of Berlin. The observation of at
least 25 aircraft crates suggests that
MIG:17's in regimental strength have arrived at Zerbst7
Comment: This is the first confirmation
of MIG-17 conversion by Soviet fighter units located in Eastern
Europe.
Conversion to MIG-17's in the USSR was
begun in 1953, and by 1 January 1955 40 percent of the total Soviet
fighter force of 10,545 is believed to have consisted of this type.
The MIG-172 the latest Soviet opera-
tional fighter, has an estimated maximum sea level speed of 605
knots and a combat ceiling of 55,000 feet. It replaces the MIG-15,
the latest model of which has an estimated maximum sea level
speed of 552 knots and a combat ceiling of 50,500 feet.
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FAR EAST
5. Comment on Japanese delegates to Afro-Asian conference:
The appointment of State Minister
Takasaki, instead of Foreign Minister
Shigemitsu, as head of the Japanese
delegation to the Afro-Asian conference
emphasizes that Japan's primary inter-
est is in promoting its program for
economic co-operation with Southeast
Asia.
Despite his international business back-
ground and his position as Japan's top economic planner, Takasaki
is politically inexperienced
Shigemitsu's top lieutenant, Masayuki
Tani, may be counted on to give pro-Western advice on foreign
policy matters, but his status as only an alternate to Takasaki
will make Japan's voice less effective. Tani's appointment to the
number-one spot was withdrawn when the Indonesian mission in
Tokyo pronounced him unacceptable because he lacked cabinet
rank.
Japan has already decided not to put
forth its disarmament proposal which was intended to embarrass
the Chinese Communists and will propose three items for dis-
cussion: economic co-operation, cultural exchange, and peaceful
settlement of all disputes. NeFeftzl4)--
SOUTHEAST ASIA
6. French-Vietnamese tension increases over Binh Xuyen issue:
The American embassy in Saigon reports
that General Ely is taking the line that
the Vietnamese army was responsible
for the recent clash with the Binh Xuyen.
Diem in turn has threatened to resign if
the French continue to frustrate his plans
for further Action against the gangster group.
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French
troops, numbering more than 202000, have divided Saigon into
Vietnamese and French sectors in such a fashion as to prevent
the Vietnamese from taking action against the Binh Xuyen.
Ely told General Collins he would arrest
Diem if such action were necessary to prevent civil war.
Some of Diem's closest advisers have
told him to stake everything on one further blow at the Binh
Xuyen, since to allow the present stalemate to continue would be
fatal.
Meanwhile, Diem has replied evasively
to a hint from Bao Dal that he resign. He is now taking steps to
reconstitute his cabinet which, as a result of recent resignations,
now consists of little more than Diem himself.
Comment:
there is growing suspicion within the Vietnamese
army that subordinate French army echelons are deliberately
withholding supplies, and the possibility of incidents between the
French and Vietnamese armies is increasing.
7. French and British urge Laotian ultimatum to Pathets:
French and British officials in Vientiane
plan to urge Premier Katay to make a
last effort to obtain a reasonable settle-
ment and, if the Pathets fail to agree
within a short time, to break off negotiations. Katay will be ad-
vised to appeal then to the International Control Commission for
a decision on the restoration of royal authority in the two north-
ern provinces. If the commission fails to act effectively, Katay
is to appeal to the Geneva signatories.
American minister Yost says his col-
leagues agree on the desirability of terminating the negotiations
within two weeks, so that a formal appeal could be made to the
commission prior to the Bandung conference. He hopes, however,
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the appeal might be made even 1.1, as he anticipates, the negotia-
tions are not definitely ended at that time.
Comment: The tactics of the Pathets
have been to string out the negotiations while they continue to
consolidate their position. As a result of a threat to break off
the discussions, the Pathets would probably make some con-
cession designed to convince the International Control Commis-
sion of the desirability of continuing the talks.
SOUTH ASIA
8. Comment on anti-Pakistan riots in Afghanistan:
The anti-Pakistan demonstrations which
occurred in Kabul, Ghazni, and Mukur
on 30 March will probably result in the
indefinite postponement of a rapproche-
ment between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The demonstrations were probably
organized by Prime Minister Daud, since
the one in Kabul began on the grounds of the Interior Ministry, of
which he is the head. Daud may have acted without the consent of
other members of the royal family, partly as a protest against
pressure being applied on him to curtail economic ties with the
Soviet Union.
Whether or not Daud acted independently,
the violence which accompanied the Kabul demonstrations may
work to his disadvantage and intensify efforts by members of the
royal family to curb him. They probably desire to avoid an open
break with Pakistan, and presumably recognize that the demon-
strations have eliminated any possibility of obtaining concessions
from Karachi on Pushtoonistan,
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NEAR EAST - AFRICA
9. Further trouble expected in Algeria:
Jacques Chevallier, mayor of Algiers
and former defense minister in the
Mendes-France cabinet, expects that
the situation in Algeria will deteriorate,
according to the American consul gen-
eral in Algiers. Chevallier looks for trouble from the Moslem
Algerians when the state of emergency legislation goes into ef-
fect, since the Moslems expect that injustices and brutality will
result.
Comment: The state of emergency
authorized by the French National Assembly, which went into
effect on 1 April, removes legal safeguards against arbitrary ar-
rest, seizure, and censorship.
This legislation will quiet the French
settlers' demands for the time being. On the other hand, it will
intensify Algerian suspicion of French good faith and may serve
to unite the disparate nationalist groups into a widespread under-
ground organization. The French security forces, numbering
nearly 100,000, are capable of maintaining order�
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THE FORMOSA STRAITS
Report of the IAC Current Intelligence Group
for the Formosa Straits Problem
This report is based on information received in Washington
up to 1100 hours 1 April 1955.
No significant development has been reported.
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