CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1959/05/23

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Current/Central Intelligence Bulletin Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 03156041
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 12
• Document Creation Date: February 25, 2020
• Document Release Date: February 27, 2020
• Publication Date: May 23, 1959

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23 May 1959
Copy No. C 62
CENTRAL
INTELLIGENCE
BULLETIN
DOCUMENT NO. _
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23 MAY 1959
L THE COMMUNIST BLOC
Moscow remains critical of UAR but
assures Cairo of "economic coopera-
tion."
II. ASIA-AFRICA
Iraq�Army reported preparing orders
transferring pro-Communist officers
and collecting arms from Popular
Resistance Force.
Iranians deny rumors that prepara-
tions under way for resumption of
treaty talks with USSR.
Ne Win declares Burma wants closer
ties with West but seeks to avoid pro-
voking Peiping.
ECRET
IIL THE WEST
� Nicaragua�Revolutionary plotting
continues.
LATE ITEM
� Sudan�Coup attempt against gov-
ernment in progress.
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CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN :Of
23 May 1959
DAILY BRIEF
I. THE COMMUNIST BLOC
USSR-UAR: Negotiations for the Aswan High Dam proj-
ect have apparently progressed to the point where only Cairo's
final approval is needed before construction can commence.
Moscow Radio's broadcast on 21 May of critical remarks made
by Khrushchev regarding the UAR may provoke further recrimina-
tions between Cairo and Moscow. Nevertheless, the USSR has as-
sured Cairo that "political or ideological differences" with the
UAR will not affect "economic cooperation."
(Page 1)
II. ASIA-AFRICA
Iraq: the regime is
ready to issue oraers transferring some pro-Communist army of-
ficers and collecting arms which have been issued to the Popular
Resistance Force, The Iraqi Communist press meanwhile has re-
treated somewhat on its demands for official sanction of political
party activity and for direct Communist party representation in
the cabinet. It has intensified, however, its efforts to remind
Qasim of his need for continuing close Communist support against
alleged new imperialist- and UAR-sponsored plots and border
disturbances. (Page 2)
Iran-USSR: Iranian officials deny that any preparations
are under way for a resumption of treaty talks with the Soviet
Union. They told Soviet representatives, however, that once
unfriendly Soviet broadcasts cease, Iran would consider any
Soviet suggestions for improved relations. The Iranians claim
that Moscow is circulating rumors of a possible resumption
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of negotiations in an effort to undermine the confidence of
Iran's Baghdad Pact partners. (Page '3)
' Burma: aremier Ne Win has told the American ambas-
sador that his government is attempting to grope its way toward
closer alignment with the free world without unduly provoking
Communist China. He stated, "When we feel that our position is
squared away, we are not going to oppose the United States on
cold war issues." Ne Win also asserted he was basically in fa-
vor of the governments of South Korea, Taiwan, and South Vietnam
and that he would prefer taking no action against Chinese National-
ist irregulars on Burmese soil-so long as they avoid provocative
actio19 (Page 4)
I I I. THE WEST
Nicaragua: /evolutionary preparations against the Somoza
regime cohtinue. The top Costa Rican Communist and a Nicaraguan
opposition leader have independently stated that a rival Nicaraguan
faction plans to initiate action soon. Meanwhile, President Somoza
has informed opposition leaders that he is open to any proposals de-
signed to avert revolution except those which would require the short-
ening of hi nrPgiriPntial term or "offend the dignity" of his family.]
(Paget t)
LATE ITEM
*Sudan: aarly on 22 May, Brigadier Shannan and his junior
officergrraTtion set their coup attempt in motion.
at least some of the troop movements
planned by Shannan had begun. All Sudanese military communica-
tions nets have been placed on alert. Counteraction against Sharman's
group by government forces led by Brigadier Hasan Bashir Nasir is
still possible. Khartoum itself was rennrfrad rulfwardly quiet on the
aifternoon pf 22 Ma
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23 May' 59 DAILt BRIEF: �
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I. THE COMMUNIST BLOC
Soviet- UAR Relations
Radio Moscow's broadcast on 21 May of Khrushchev's re-
marks regarding the UAR� made to Indian journalist Russy
Karanjia, may provoke further recriminations between
Cairo and Moscow. Khrushchev denied the charges Nasir made
to the same journalist in mid-April that Arab Communists are seek-
ing to set up a "Red fertile crescent," and alluded to several is-
sues to which Nasir has reacted strongly in the past. While the
Soviet premier emphasized friendship for the UAR, he took the
position that it is up to the UARis leaders to "decide whether they
want friendly relations with the Soviet Union." The broadcast ac-
count of the interview did not, however, refer to the personal
criticisms of Nasir which Karaniia had reported to the UAR
charge in Moscow.
On the same day, Soviet Deputy Foreign Minister Semenov
again assured UAR Minister of Public Works Moussa Arafa in
Moscow that the USSR will not allow "political or ideological
differences" with the UAR to affect "economic cooperation."
Arafa was then heading a delegation for technical discussions
on the Aswan High Dam project. Semenov also took the opportuni-
ty to complain about the "UAR newspaper campaign" and expressed
hope that it would end soon.
The talks on the Aswan project, concluded in Moscow on 19
May, were apparently successful, and construction is to commence
after Cairo approves the findings of the recent technical discus-
sions, which dealt with Soviet proposals to amend the original
agreement in such a manner as to cut construction time and costs.
UAR officials have stated that they intend to submit any changes
to the High Dam board of consultants which includes one Soviet
and a number of Western experts.
In addition to economic aid, three destroyers are to be de-
livered to the UAR this year, two of them before July. The
destroyers presumably are to be provided under an agreement
in which Moscow approved the sale of arms and materiel to Cairo
at one third of their cost.
'1.2P3EMET
23 May 59
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II, ASIA-AFRICA
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Qasim May be Moving to Reduce Communist Influence in Iraq
the regime is ready to
issue orders for the collection of arms now in the hands of the
Popular Resistance Force and the transfer of pro-Communist
Lieutenant Colonel Ghadhban al-Saad, a member of Qasim's
office staff. Rumors persist that Qasim's Communist military
aide, Colonel Wafsi Tahir, will be transferred or arrested.
Colonel Taha Shaykh Ahmad, army director of plans, is said
to have broken with the Communists, while Lieutenant Colonel
Salim Fakri, director of Radio Baghdad, is reported to be seek-
ing a position outside Iraq.
The UAR charge in Baghdad informed Cairo on18 May that
"Qasim's intentions to oppose Communism are genuine" and
that.while desiring to avoid a direct request to the UAR, he is
seeking "a truce and a cessation of attacks against him and his
regime." The charge apparently based his report on a talk with
non-Communist Foreign Minister Jawad, The UAR, which had
already shifted its propaganda guns from Qasim's government
to the Iraqi Communist party, now has ordered security officials
in northeastern Syria to restrain the Shammar tribes from fur-
ther incursions into Iraqi territory.
The Iraqi Communist press, in the face of the announcement
of socialist National Democratic party leaders that they were
"dissolving" their party as a measure of support for Qasim, has
retreated from its demands for official sanction of party activity
and for direct Communist party representation in the cabinet.
Rumors are circulating in Baghdad that a coup is being planned
for this month or next aiming both at the overthrow of Qasim and
the liquidation of Communist power.
These
rumors may be Communist plants, reinforcing the party's press
campaign to impress Qasim that Communist backing is still es-
sential to him.
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23 May 59
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Iran Rejecting Soviet Suggestions to Resume Treaty Talks
Iranian Acting Foreign Minister Sadr told a-US Embassy
official in Tehran recently that Iran has no plans to resume
negotiations with the USSR on a nonaggression pact. The
breaking off of the talks on 10 February precipitated the cur-
rent radio propaganda battle between Iran and the USSR.
ahe Soviet charg�n Tehran recently intimated that the
USSR is still interested in concluding such a pact, but wants
Iran to take the ibitiative. The USSR appears to be trying to
maneuver Iran into sending a delegation to Moscow for this
purposq Sadr told the charg�hat Iran insists on the cessa-
tion of-unfriendly Soviet propaganda broadcasts before further
Soviet proposals can be considered. Once the broadcasts
cease, Iran would be willing to listen to any suggestions the
USSR desires to make.
In a separate discussion with a US Embassy official, Di-
rector General Afshar of the Iranian Foreign Ministry said he
believes that the USSR will continue to try to undermine the
confidence of the other Baghdad Pact members in Iran by cir-
culating reports that Iran is looking for an opportunity to re-
sume treaty talks.
The fact that the Shah undertook negotiations with the USSR
in January without consulting his allies raised doubts as to the
sincerity of the above statements. Eit the time Iran signed a
bilateral defense agreement with the United States, there was
the unwritten understanding that Iran would not conclude a non-
aggression treaty with the USSR:)
Meanwhile, the secretary general of the UN has taken up
with Gromyko in Geneva complaints which he has received
from Iran regarding Soviet Dronscranda broadcasts.
23 May 59
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN
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1LLii
Ne Win Reiterates Wish to Brin Burma Into Closer Association
With West
I a ion conversation witn Ambassador McConaughy just
prior to his return to the US for consultations, Prime Minister
Ne Win reconfirmed his government's policy of groping its way
toward closer alignment with the free world without unduly pro-
voking Communist China. These remarks were made in the course
of a general discussion of US aid, but they were in keeping with
views he has long been known to holdD
Cte Win said that once his government gets "squared away"�
that is, after the insurgent problem has been eliminated and a
final effort made to reach a border settlement with Communist
China-- "we are not going to oppose the United States on cold-
war issues." He added that he is basically in favor of the govern-
ments of Korea, Nationalist China, and South Vietnam and would
prefer not to take action against the Chinese Nationalist irregulars
on Burmese territory as long as they avoid attacking iirmese
people and de not cross the border into Communist China. Ne
Win further asserted that he does not consider the "Chiang Kai-
shek government" a government in exile and admitted that, con-
trary to the official Burmese position, he believes it would be a
catastrophe for Taiwan to come under Chinese Communist controq
tWien asked whether the government which succeeds him could
be counted on to maintain any movement toward the West he set in
motion, Ne Win said that if the Ba Swe - Kyaw Nyein faction of the
Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League wins the elections scheduled
to be held in early 19602 policy continuity would be assured. Ne Win
said that if U Nu were unexpectedly returned to power, "all bets
would be off." He clearly considered this unlikely, however, and
other unfavorable remarks he made regarding Nu strongly suggest
that the prime minister and his army colleagues would go to great
lengths to prevent Nu's reassumption of power-.1
23 May 59
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'wiry
III. THE WEST
Nicaraguan Revolutionaries May Attack Soon
Enrique Lacayo Farf an,
Nicaraguan revolutionary leader,
a rival revolution-
ary, Rafael Somarriba, will begin an offensive from his hiding
place inside Nicaragua within ten days. Lacayo said Somarriba
has a force of between 100 and 150 men, including some Cuban
and Mexican students, who have been infiltrating into Nicaragua in
small groups for some time. Somarriba, a former Nicaraguan
officer and now a leading member of the pro-Communist exile
group in Cuba, was named military commander of his group by
Major Ernesto "Che" Guevara of Cuba. Somarriba left Cuba
for Mexico on 22 April and may have subsequently entered
Nicaragua. There is no confirmation of this or other recent
reports that revolutionaries have successfully infiltrated Nicaragua,
but this could be accomplished with relative ease, especially in
the sparsely populated area near the Honduran border.
Lacayo, who was agreed upon last March as the leader of a
number of opposition factions within Nicaragua and in exile, says
Somarriba is not a Communist and he may consider a deal with
Somarriba's group in Cuba.
On 16 May, Costa Rican Communist leader Manuel Mora in-
formed his party's political commission that the revolution in
Nicaragua would probably begin in a few weeks. He also in-
dicated that the revolutionaries had already infiltrated into the
country. The revolutionaries are undoubtedly aware that their
operation will stand much less chance of being frustrated by OAS
action if it can be made to appear a purely internal uprising.
(Meanwhile, Nicaraguan President Somoza has informed op-
position leaders that he will consider any proposals designed to
avert revolution except those requiring the shortening of his presi-
dential term--which ends in 1963:1
23 May 59
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4irer *We
THE PRESIDENT
The Vice President
Executive Offices of the White House
Special Assistant for National Security Affairs
Scientific Adviser to the President
Director of the Budget
Office of Defense and Civilian Mobilization
Special Assistant for Security Operations Coordination
Board of Consultants on Foreign Intelligence Activities
Special Assistant for Foreign Economic Policy
Executive Secretary, National Security Council
The Treasury Department
The Secretary of the Treasury
The Department of State
The Secretary of State
The Under Secretary of State
The Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs
The Deputy Under Secretary for Political Affairs
The Deputy Under Secretary for Administration
The Counselor
Director, International Cooperation Administration
The Director of Intelligence and Research
The Department of Defense
The Secretary of Defense
The Deputy Secretary of Defense
Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs
The Secretary of the Army
The Secretary of the Navy
The Secretary of the Air Force
The Chairman, The Joint Chiefs of Staff
Commandant, United States Marine Corps
The Director, The Joint Staff
Chief of Staff, United States Army
Chief of Naval Operations, United States Navy
Chief of Staff, United States Air Force
Assistant to Secretary of Defense for Special Operations
Director for Intelligence, The Joint Staff
Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Department of the Army
Director of Naval Intelligence, Department of the Navy
Assistant Chief of Staff, Intelligence, Department of the Air Force
Supreme Allied Commander, Europe
Commander in Chief, Pacific
The Department of the Interior
The Secretary of the Interior
The Department of Commerce
The Secretary of Commerce
Federal Bureau of Investigation
The Director
Atomic Energy Commission
The Chairman
National Security Agency
The Director
National Indications Center
The Director
United States Information Agency
The Director
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