CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1956/03/22
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Collection:
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST):
03161854
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RIPPUB
Original Classification:
U
Document Page Count:
11
Document Creation Date:
October 25, 2019
Document Release Date:
October 31, 2019
Sequence Number:
Case Number:
Publication Date:
March 22, 1956
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CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULL[15740111].pdf | 362.12 KB |
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CURRENT
INTELLIGENCE
BULLETIN
TOP SECRET
22 March 1956 3.5(c)
3.3(h)(2/4)/
Copy No.
1 03
DOCUMENT NO. 053
NO CHANGE IN CLASS egiII
CI DECLASSIFIED
CLASS. CHANGED TO: TS S C
NEXT REVIEW DATE: 2. 010
AUTH: HR 70-2
DATE. 14 114. VI REVIEWER:
OFFICE OF CURRENT INTELLIGENCE
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
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/004
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onik Agik
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11 1 A.
CONTENTS
1. DUTCH BITTER OVER US ATTITUDE ON INDONESIAN
DISPUTE (page 3).
2. USSR REPORTED OFFERING ETHIOPIA $150.000 000
FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (page 4).
3. NEW LAOTIAN GOVERNMENT
(page 5).
4. EDWARD OCHAB NAMED TO SUCCEED BIERUT AS POLISH
PARTY FIRST SECRETARY (page 6).
22 Mar 56
* * * *
THE ARAB-ISRAELI SITUATION
page 7)
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 2
TOP SECRET
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011111k k I&hI11 ATM
1. DUTCH BITTER OVER US ATTITUDE ON
INDONESIAN DISPUTE
Ambassador Matthews reported on
19 March that he had never seen
the Dutch press so unanimously and
bitterly resentful of any country as
t is of the United States at the pres-
n oreign Minister Luns informed Matthews
I his government's dismay at recent statements of Amer-
can policy toward Indonesia, which, he said, had deeply
hocked the entire country. Public feeling is so strong
hat the overnment may have to reappraise its NATO ties,
The Dutch are especially aroused by
ashington's grant of economic aid to Indonesia, which
hey believe failed to consider the fact of Indonesia's uni-
lateral abrogation of the Round Table Agreements con-
cluded with The Hague in 1949 under UN auspices. Am-
bassador Matthews expects the recent American decision
not to deliver additional tanks to the Netherlands to worsen
relations.
While Dutch officials have long been
touchy on the US attitude toward their disputes with Indo-
nesia, they are now equally disturbed by what they con-
sider to be American failure to support other European
allies in Cyprus, the Middle East, and North Africa.
In view of the lessening of Western European
fear of war, anti-American sentiment may become an issue
in the June 1956 Dutch national elections. While the Dutch
are unlikely to move to sever ties with NATO, they may be
more reluctant to support the United States on other issues
such as Chinese UN representation and expanding economic
relations with the Soviet bloc.
22 Mar 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 3
SECILET
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11-4
to,
2. USSR REPORTED OFFERING ETHIOPIA $150,000,000
FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
The Soviet Union has offered Ethiopia
economic aid amounting to $150,000,000,
The offer reportedly
includes funds for a arge am, possi y on the Blue Nile, or
for hydroelectric and irrigation development in Eritrea, which
is now federated with Ethiopia.
Comment This is the first report of such a Soviet
offer. A Soviet approach at present would
be well timed in view of Ethiopia's resentment over the large
amount of foreign assistance offered Egypt for the Aswan High
Dam.
While Ethiopia
would probably not accept outright such large-scale Soviet aid,
the government could be expected to make use of such an offer
in its relations with the West. (Concurred in by ORR)
22 Mar 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 4
-SECRET-
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7751M1tE/ A
3. NEW LAOTIAN GOVERNMENT
The new government in Laos under
Souvanna Phouma, which won over-
whelming approval of the 39-man
national assembly on 21 March, is a
broad coalition of the major political groups in Laos and
should prove stable. The new premier is strongly anti-
Communist, but is considered a less forceful personality
than former premier Katay.
The only assemblyman to vote in op-
position was Bong Souvannouvong, who is sympathetic to
the Pathet Lao and whose small party was excluded from
the cabinet. Although he is not expected to pose a serious
problem at the outset as an opposition leader, Bong's in-
fluence has been demonstrated by his leading role in block-
ing ICatay's two attempts to form a cabinet.
There is strong pressure in the assem-
bly for a quick solution to the Pathet Lao issue, and the
new government will consider this problem its primary task.
Judging from Souvanna's recent attitude and that of Crown
Prince Savang, with whom he enjoys good working relations,
the new government will probably continue its predecessor's
tough policy�including guerrilla warfare--and insist on
Pathet recognition of the royal government's authority over
Phong Saly and Sam Neua Provinces as a prerequisite to
the resumption of direct negotiations.
22 Mar 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 5
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CAVA/ IL
Niro Now.
4. EDWARD OCHAB NAMED TO SUCCEED BIERUT
AS POLISH PARTY FIRST SECRETARY
The appointment of Edward Ochab as
first secretary of the Polish United
Workers (Communist) Party main-
tains the pattern of collective leadership that has hereto-
fore operated in Poland. Ochab, like his predecessor
Bierut, will share leadership of the party with politburo
members Jakub Berman and Hilary Minc, who will con-
tinue as major sources of authority in the collective lead-
ership.
Ochab, who is 49 years old, was active
in the prewar Communist Party of Poland, having joined
the party in 1929 and risen to the central committee by 1938.
He spent the war years in the Soviet Union, and has been a
member of the politburo since 1949 and the secretariat since
1950.
22 Mar 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 6
CONFIDENTIAL
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I
#86
THE ARAB-ISRAELI SITUATION
(Information as of 1700, 21 March)
the Saudi defense minister
in Cairo requested that his ministry dispatch immediately de-
tailed table of equipment data on an infantry brigade, with
information on support elements, including artillery and ar-
mored car units,
anticipated delivery during March
of an undetermined number of aircraft and antiaircraft guns
from Egypt, the Saudis may
also want equipment for a complete infantry brigade group.
On 17 -March "many black cylindrical
objects resembling mines" were observed on a pier in Alex-
andria adjacent to the Soviet freighter General Cherniakowsky,
Egyptian capability to engage
in mine warfare is suggested by recent observation in Alex-
andria of three motor torpedo boats equipped as patrol mine-
layers.
A large number of Israeli reserve field-
grade officers, principally those with engineer and construc-
tion experience, have been recalled for 40 days' active duty,
The Israelis are simultaneously requisitioning
considerable heavy construction equipment, including low-bed
trailers, power shovels and bulldozers. This activity may re-
late to initiation of construction on the power project of the
Banat Yacov scheme, or to the new program fpr construction
of border defenses.
The government of Israel has issued orders
for a substantial increase in blood bank supplies by 1 June,
Enforcement of the 13 March law of the
Israeli parliament, permitting denial of exit permits to Israeli
citizens in the military reserve forces, may diminish the re-
cent heavy increase in visa applications which has swamped con-
sular offices in Tel Aviv and Haifa.
22 Mar 56 Current Intelligence Bulletin
Page 7
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0.Eilu1 cud
%NO
BIWEEKLY SUMMARY
8-21 March 1956
THE TAIWAN STRAIT
Report of the IAC Current Intelligence Group
for the Taiwan Strait Problem
1. There has been no significant naval, air or ground
activity during the period,
2. considerable recent
Chinese Communist military construction including artillery
positions on Lutzu, a small island about 10 miles northwest
of the Wuchiu Islands held by about 500 Chinese Nationalist
guerrillas. Some of this construction is of an exclusively de-
fensive character and the activity is not regarded as necessarily
indicating Communist intentions to attack the Wuchius. It in-
dicates, however, that the Communists intend to employ artil-
lery on Lutzu, from where medium artillery could shell the
Wuchius.
3. The Chinese Communists are apparently beginning
work on a branch of the Fukien railway to Foochow.
a probable survey line stretching for
about 10 miles along the north bank of the Min River about 30
miles west of Foochow.
4. There were few new developments in Peiping propa-
ganda relating to the Taiwan Strait during the past two weeks.
In its 11 March statement on the Geneva talks, Peiping's For-
eign Ministry repeated the charge previously made on 4 March
of US "occupation" of Taiwan and US "interference in the libera-
tion" of the coastal islands
5. In a conversation with the Netherlands charg�n Pei-
ping, an assistant to Chou En-Lai declared that Communist China
had deliberately fixed no time limit for US acceptance of the de-
mands made in the 4 March statement. This declaration was ap-
parently made with the intent that it be relayed to the US. The
charg�eceived the impression that the Chinese Communists
were willing to continue the talks in Geneva
22 Mar 56 Current Intelligence Bulletin
Page 8
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TAIWAN STRAIT SITUATION
22 MARCH 1956
CHINESE COMMUNIST AIRFIELD LEGEND:
DESIGNATIONS
PRIMARY AIRFIELD
CONSIDERED MOST IMPORTANT IN
AREA WITH PREPARED RUNWAY
GENERALLY 5000 FEET OR LONGER.
SECONDARY AIRFIELD
AUXILIARY OR EMERGENCY BASES
OR FIELDS OF LESSER IMPORTANCE.
RUNWAYS GENERALLY LESS THAN
5000 FEET.
ACTIVE BASE FOR MILITARY & CIVILIAN AIR-
CRAFT. SOME BASES USED BY PISTON TYPES
MAY BE USABLE BY JETS
�
OPERATIONAL
A
INACTIVE BASES CAPABLE OF USE BY AIRCRAFT
SERVICEABLE
CURRENT STATUS UNDETERMINED
UNKNOWN
H ONAN
1 U
(
Ti
-7\r
H
HANKOW
AlipA
�
USABILITY
I ?
MIG I", TU-2,
MIC; IL-I0
LA-9 /11
TU-4 LI-2
IL 213 ETC.
UNKNOWN
NAN KING
40- WUHU
HuAININIG
I NANCHAN.
SHANGJA0
\ i
)
28 CliANGSHA )-- --)
( ' k ingtan _ / ( Z WENCHOw 0
�-- 1 � Juran
/ + 1
H 6 t0,000 / � 1,
1 -'-'' ... \
IEI DS NOT CONSIDERED CAPABLE
01 :,UPPORTING SUSTAINED OPER-
ATIONS AT PRESENT.
KIANGSU
I
(
fAHIAHSING�
CHOU
HANGCHOW
N I N-f-ePt)40.
II NGYANG 1 \ TROOPS I �k A4) CHIENOU*
'.4
, Nanping
i 53,000
� Ningte
2 t
26 t,- -- / '''''' m)r" FOOCHQW
j _ MATSUS
r PxY ungan NANTAI�0 21,000
)
1 o A kt
,-
.__. ._ CHANGjING* III LUNGTIEN
L ILL1 41EN G
--, i ) MB A - .
moru k_ ,_ -',..
/
/__,
i, Ill'HUIAN
) _ / - \ KA Iii
CHINGYANG
,..� /s-- -0
, ,....
- \- " i UNGCHI --- MACHIANG*
OY QUETVIM
24 189,000 79,000
K WA NGTUNG
CHENGHAI \
SWATOW
CANTON
SFlU IKOU
NAUTICAL NILES
t � 50 100
5101
I
100 150
STATUTE MILES
150
0
-4-- RAILROAD
-1- PROPOSED RAILROAD
141
NAN
*NATIONALIST AIRFIELD
41rNC,SHAN
TAIPEI
* ILAN
W AN
325,000
PRIMARY ROADS
SECONDARY ROADS
*we
6010 1-21_
24
7ir/20 Twirl
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Putien.
Hs enyu'
Chinchiang
Machiang
. �
1
Quemoy
(Chinmen)
22 MARCH 1956
Weitou
Peninsula
Lienchiang
Paichuan Is
.Changlo (White Dogs)
Fuching.
Chiangyin
Meichou
Wuchiu�
Haitan
Yinshan
60103-2F
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