CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1956/05/13

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Current/Central Intelligence Bulletin Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 03161860
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: October 25, 2019
• Document Release Date: October 31, 2019
• Publication Date: May 13, 1956

CURRENT
INTELLIGENCE
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13 May 1956
Copy No. 103
DOCUMENT NO
NO CHANGE IN CLA
1 DECLASSIFIED
NEXT REVIEW DATE: S 1"1
CLASS. CHANGED TO: TS
AUDI H 7
DATE,
REVIEWER:
OFFICE OF CURRENT INTELLIGENCE
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
.T-61-P-SECRET-
77.4
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AMU 41.44,
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CONTENTS
1. TITO STATES VIEWS TO FRENCH LEADERS
(page 3).
2. BRITAIN REPORTEDLY TO Th,ROCEED WITH DRAFT
CONSTITUTION FOR CYPRUS (page 4).
3. FIRST DESTROYER LAUNCHED AT SHANGHAI
(page 5).
4. USSR MEETS BURMESE REQUEST FOR BROAD
AGRICULTURAL MISSION
(page 6).
5. CZECH CHARGES AGAINST SLANSICY OF TITOISM
TERMED "ILLEGAL" (page 7).
13 May 56
* * * *
THE ARAB-LSRAELI SITUATION
(page 8)
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 2
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MctKLT
1. TITO STATES VIEWS TO FRENCH LEADERS
Yugoslav president Tito reiterated to
French government leaders in Paris
his view that a real change is now tak-
ing place in the USSR. In reporting
this to the American embassy, the director of political
and economic affairs in the French Foreign Ministry,
Roland de Margerie, said he was considerably impressed
by the strong anti-Soviet feeling of Tito t party, particu-
larly among the military men, but also including Foreign
Minister Popovic.
Tito said he believed the Soviet devel-
opments constitute a completely irreversible trend despite
the fact that incidents may occur which might be interpreted
as a backsliding toward Stalinism. He said the evolution
would take a long time since the Soviet bureaucracy is still
filled with Stalinists. Tito cautioned against any Western
actions toward the Satellites that would either alarm the
Soviet leaders or incite 'foolish actions" in the Satellites,
since in either case the USSR would again tighten the grip
it now seems to be relaxing.
French premier Mollet responded to
these views cautiously, saying that France was following
the Soviet developments with interest, but not too much
optimism.
13 May 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 3
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2, BRITAIN REPORTEDLY TO PROCEED WITH DRAFT
CONSTITUTION FOR CYPRUS
The British colonial secretary probably
will announce soon that the government
intends to proceed with the drafting of
a constitution for Cyprus, according to
ation received by the American consulate at Nicosia.
Present plans call for the appointment
of a commission which would invite expressions of views in
� Cyprus and elsewhere. London will make clear, however,
that this step implies no 'abandonment of its sovereignty over
Cyprus, nor an attempt to establish a constitution before or-
der is restored.
Comment This step is presumably to be taken at
the suggestion of Governor Harding on
Cyprus, who has felt that his efforts to restore order would
be aided by an attempt to dispel the Cypriot Suspicion of Britain
left by the negotiations With Archbishop Makarios.
Despite a growing belief on the part of
some British officials, including Foreign Secretary Lloyd,
that Britain's present approach to the Cyprus problem has
no chance of success, the prime minister and a majority of
the cabinet apparently remain convinced that any alternatives
must inevitably lead to the loss of Britain's vital strategic po-
sition on the island.
13 May 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 4
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3. FIRST DESTROYER LAUNCHED AT SHANGHAI
a
destroyer of the 1,500-ton, 300-foot,
Soviet Riga class was launched at the
Hutung shipyard in Shanghai on 28 April.
Construction of this destroyer, the
largest and most modern type of naval vessel to be built
by the Chinese, is believed to have started last summer.
With extensive Soviet assistance, the Chinese, in their
first effort, apparently have matched timetables of Soviet
yards, which have required about nine months from the
beginning of construction to launching of this type of ship.
Fitting out and shakedown trials, probably requiring nine
to 12 months, will be necessary before the vessel is ready
for delivery to the fleet.
At least one other ship, believed also
to be a Riga, is well along in construction at the Hutung
yard. Shanghai naval shipbuilding, which includes a sub-
marine program, is being carried out under the supervi-
sion of large numbers of Soviet advisers. Machinery and
electronic e ui ment for the vessels are supplied by the
USSR. (Concurred in by ORR)
13 May 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 5
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4. USSR MEETS BURMESE REQUEST FOR BROAD
AGRICULTURAL MISSION
Comment
The USSR has accepted Burma's
suggestion for the composition of a
14-man group of agricultural and
ation e �ert
Burma's request for these experts is
an outgrowth of the Soviet offer to
provide Burma,in exchange for rice, with extensive eco-
nomic and technical assistance, particularly in the field
of agricultural development.
The inclusion of such personnel as
state farm and machine-tractor station experts suggests
that an effort will be made to persuade Burmese officials
to adopt Soviet methods of agricultural organization. Many
influential Burmese are already favorably inclined toward
collective farming, for which provision is made in Burma's
constitution. (Concurred in by .ORR)
13 May 56
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oak
5. CZECH CHARGES AGAINST SLANSICY OF TITOISM
TERMED "ILLEGAL"
Czech premier Siroky, in a speech at
a meeting of the Slovak Communist
Party on 10-11 May, admitted the "ille-
gality" of the anti-Yugoslav aspects of
the trial in which Slansky was charged
with Titoism. He said these charges were based on "docu-
ments faked by the Beria gang." Siroky, however, reiterated
that "Slansky and his clique" had been guilty since, from
1949-1952, they had been instrumental in "violating socialist
legality and introducing illegal methods into the work of the
security organs."
Siroky also defended the sentences passed
on former foreign minister Clementis, who was tried and
executed with Slansky, and on Slovak nationalist Husak. He
admitted there had been certain miscarriages of justice, but
that these were now being investigated, and said that some
individuals had already been rehabilitated.
Comment Although the anti-Yugoslav aspects of
the Slansky case were of a secondary na-
ture, Siroky 's admission indicates that the Czechs feel that
further efforts to remove obstacles to closer relations with
Yugoslavia are necessary. Siroky 's reference to Beria as
the prime cause of the Yugoslav-Cominform split resembles
Khrushchev's initial comments in Belgrade in May 1955 which
were subsequently termed "insufficient" by the Yugoslays.
Siroky 's statement suggests that the regime
apparently intends to leave untouched the major charge made
against Slansky in 1952, which implicated the latter as the
leader in a Zionist consuiracv to overthrow the "people's
democracy."
13 May 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 7
TATINFIDENTIAL�
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THE ARAB-ISRAE LI SITUATION
(Information as of 1700, 13 May)
Some indications of a partial demobiliza-
tion of Israeli personnel and materiel have been noted/
the
Israeli defense forces have returned to their normal stations
but major units are still at or near full strength.
Installation of POL storage tanks has been
observed at various collective farm settlements throughout
Israel. Tanks with an estimated capacity of 25.000 aallons
have been noted in some cases.
The Arab press, in commentAng on the an-
nouncement from Paris that France was shipping Mystere jet
fighters to Israel, is taking the line that such shipments will be
countered by the Arabs with additional arms from the Soviet
bloc0 the theme
that the West has decided to arm Israel will be exploited fully
by the Arabs and may encouraae further adverse political devel-
opments in Jordan.
at Almaza airfield there of 11 Soviet
IL-14 (CRATE) transport planes. The planes have not been
flown since their arrival on 8 May.
13 May 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 8
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"
There were also strong indications that some
of the IL-14's were equipped with radar and may have en-
gaged in radar mapping or attempted to obtain information
on Greek radar facilities. As a result the Greek air force
has indicated it will be more hesitant in the future in recom-
mendin that Soviet bloc countries be granted overflight priv-
ileges.
13 May 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 9
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