CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1956/03/13

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Current/Central Intelligence Bulletin Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 03161770
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 9
• Document Creation Date: October 25, 2019
• Document Release Date: October 31, 2019
• Publication Date: March 13, 1956

Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161770
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CURRENT
INTELLIGENCE
BULLETIN
DOCUMENT NO.
LfT
NO CHANGE IN CLASS
0 DECLASSIFIED
CLASS. CHANGED TO: TS S C
NEXT REVIEW DATE: 2-0 0
AUTH: HR 70-2
DATE: 144 41% TOREVIEWER:
13 March 1956
Copy No.
103
OFFICE OF CURRENT INTELLIGENCE
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
e// z
TOP SECRET
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ASK 410116,
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*NW V1S
CONTENTS
1. CHINESE N1TIONALIST HARASSMENT OF MAINLAND
RE PORTED page 3).
2. MOLLET WINS CONFIDENCE VOTES WITH COMMUNIST
SUPPORT (page 4).
3. UPRISING IN CITY OF ALGIERS REPORTED IMMINENT
(page 5).
4. SIHANOUK'S VIEWS ON CAMBODIAN RELATIONS WITH
COMMUNIST BLOC (page 6).
5. AUSTRALIA'S TRADE COMMISSIONER IN HONG KONG TO
VISIT COMMUNIST CHINA (page 7).
13 Mar 56
* * * *
THE ARAB-ISRAELI SITUATION
(page 8)
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 2
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1. CHINESE NATIONALIST HARASSMENT OF
MAINLAND REPORTED
A Chinese Nationalist frigate and
minesweeper fired about 100 shells
shortly after midnight on 11 March
at Communist radar and artillery
positions near Tinghai, on the
Peiling Peninsula north of Matsu.
The American Pacific Fleet re-
ports that the Nationalists mean-
while are continuing their "harassing" artillery fire in
the Quemoy area, with the Communists apparently fir-
ing only in retaliation.
Comment The Nationalist navy also shelled
Communist positions on the Peiling
Peninsula in mid-February in one of its rare attacks on
mainland targets. The Communists have termed such
attacks "provocative." Retaliatory action could include
sneak attacks on Nationalist naval patrols in the Matsu
area and heavy artillery fire against the Quemoys.
13 Mar 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 3
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2. MOLLET WINS CONFIDENCE VOTES WITH
COMMUNIST SUPPORT
The National Assembly's overwhelm-
ing support of Premier Mollet's re-
quest for extraordinary powers will
give the French government a tempo-
rary respite to begin implementation
of its Algerian policy. The government
can now be expected to increase its mili-
tary effort. At the same time it will
attempt to win Moslem support by seek-
ing to put into immediate effect its announced program of
economic, administrative, and social reform for Algeria.
The Communists, probably believing
that the government's policy will end in failure, were will-
ing to reverse their stand on Algerian independence and
support the government rather than jeopardize their popu-
lar front objective. Soviet ambassador Vinogradov told a
high French Foreign Ministry official on 7 March that the
USSR supports continued French presence in North Africa.
Vinogradov made no reply when the Frenchman asked:
"Isn't it because you Russians would prefer to have a weak
France in that strategic area rather than let it fall under
the influence of the US?"
13 Mar 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 4
_CC1ALF4PENTIAL
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3. UPRISING IN CITY OF ALGIERS REPORTED IMMINENT
A general uprising in the city of Algiers,
is expected within the next two weeks,
Tension and terrorist acts
by both nationalists and French settlers
are developing in the cities of Constantine,
Bone and Bougie.
The continued successes of the nation-
alists appear to be convincing a growing number of Algerian
Moslems that it might be possible to oust the French and
take control.
The liberal French mayor of Algiers
has urgently requested American support to launch a "tilird
force" to protect the "vast liberal majority" against the ex-
tremists among both the Europeans and nationalists. He
claims that Algerian nationalists have pleaded with him "to
do something."
Comment An earlier report predicted the immi-
nence of an uprising in Algiers. On
11 March a mob of young Moslems for the first time at-
tacked Frenchmen in Algiers. While no casualties oc-
curred, more serious incidents are probable.
13 Mar 56
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4. SIHANOUK'S VIEWS ON CAMBODIAN RELATIONS
WITH COMMUNIST BLOC
Cambodian premier Sihanouk told
Ambassador McClintock on 8 March
that on his recent trip to Peiping he
had been wary on the question of
Chinese Communist economic assistance to Cambodia
and on Moscow's desire to establish diplomatic relations.
Sihanouk said the Chinese had repeatedly expressed wil-
lingness to give economic assistance with no strings at-
tached and to purchase rice and rubber against payment
in any currency desired.
McClintock comments that the Chinese
may be trying to "booby trap" the American aid program
for Cambodia by their offers to buy rubber. Peiping un-
doubtedly calculates that if American aid to Cambodia is
cut off because of the Battle Act, Sihanouk would be forced
to turn to the USSR or Communist China.
Comment Sihanouk has said he doubts Cambodia
can avoid recognition of the USSR. He
will almost certainly be subjected to continued overtures
from Peiping regarding the clause of his joint communiqu�
with Chou which calls for development of contacts "partic-
ularly in the economic and cultural fields."
13 Mar 56
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CONFIDENTIAL
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5. AUSTRALIA'S TRADE COMMISSIONER IN HONG KONG
TO VISIT COMMUNIST CHINA
The Australian trade commissioner
in Hong Kong, H. C. Menzies, is
scheduled to leave for a two-week
visit to Communist China on 16 March
on the invitation of the Chinese Corn-
mums s, erican consul general in Hong Kong
comments that Menzies probably hopes to conclude wool
contracts with the Chinese. The Australian representative
in Hong Kong informed the American consul general that
no political significance should be attached to the visit.
Comment In February, an official of the Austra-
lian External Affairs Department con-
ceded to the American embassy that there was some drift
in official thinking favoring recognition of China, although
no change in Australian policy was imminent.
Australia has been Communist China's
principal source for long-fiber wool. The commissioner's
visit follows Sino- Uruguayan trade talks last December,
which indicated Peiping might be exploring the possibility
of an alternative source of supply in South America.
(Prepared jointly with ORR)
13 Mar 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 7
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THE ARAB-ISRAELI SITUATION
(Information as of 1700, 12 March)
Egyptian and Israeli patrols exchanged
fire near the Gaza strip. A clash between Israelis and Jor-
danians was reported at the vil
flan Egyptian national guard force of six officers and 221
volunteers arrived at
' 6 March.
Egyptian prime minis-
ter Nasr "firmly believes" that Israel will not undertake any ac-
tion from which war could result. Egypt, however; is ready for
all eventualities and is ready to to war at once to heiSvri
Prime Minister Nasr, President Quwatli of
Syria, and King Saud of Saudi Arabia, ending their Cairo confer-
ence, have issued a communiqu�hich lists under ten headings
the items discussed: (1) plans to strengthen and ensure the Arab
states against Zionist aggression and foreign domination, (2)
co-ordination of Arab defense against Israel, (3) measures to be
taken against states allowing their nationals to enlist in Israeli
forces, (4) measures to prevent the supply of arms to Israel,
(5) plans to cope with the Baghdad pact countries "who are de.-
str9yingthe unity of the Arab states and endangering their secu-
rity," (6) plans for the complete support of Jordan, (7) plans to
strengthen Arab "integrity" and co-operation among "purely
Arab" states, (8) co-ordination of Saudi Arabian-Syrian-Egyp-
tian political, economic, military, and cultural policy, (9) plans
to deal with the Buraimi dispute, and (10) a decision that French
policy in_North Africa seriously threatens the peace of the area.
13 Mar 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 8
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