CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1956/05/17

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Current/Central Intelligence Bulletin Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 03161862
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 14
• Document Creation Date: October 25, 2019
• Document Release Date: October 31, 2019
• Publication Date: May 17, 1956

- Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161862
CURRENT
INTELLIGENCE
BULLETIN
17 May 1956
',copy NO.
DOCUMENT NO
NO Clit\NGE IN
DECLASSiNED
CLASS. CHANGED
NEXT REVIEW DATE: [O.
AUDIto)
REVIEWER, _
0 3
OFFICE OF CURRENT INTELLIGENCE
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
3.3(h)(2)
3.5(c)
Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161862
Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161862
Amok
Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161862
Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161862
*live
CONTENTS
1. KHRUSHCHEV STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF GUIDED-
MISSILE SUBMARINES (page 3).
2. rEGYPT TO RECOGNIZE COMMUNIST CHINA
(page 4).
3. MENDES-FRANCE REPORTED READY TO RESIGN FROM
FRENCH GOVERNMENT (page 5).
4. POLISH AMBASSADOR IN PARIS COMMENTS ON POLISH
PROBLEMS (page 6).
5. ALGERIAN REBEL OFFENSIVE FORECAST WITHIN NEXT
TWO MONTHS (page 7).
6. SUHRAWARDY REPORTEDLY SOON TO BECOME PAKISTAN'S
PRIME MINISTER (page 9).
17 May 56
THE ARAB-ISRAELI SITUATION
(page 10)
THE TAIWAN STRAIT
(page 11)
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 2
TOP SECRET
Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161862
Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161862
Auk
1� KHRUSHCHEV STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF GUIDED-
MISSILE SUBMARINES
During his recent voyage to Great
Britain, Soviet Communist Party
leader Khrushchev reportedly told a
British naval officer that submarines
equipped with guided missiles are
"the most suitable navy weapons," and that further develop-
ment of such vessels will be emphasized by the Soviet navy.
Khrushchev added that possession of this weapon would give
the USSR the capability of making "defensive" attacks on
the United States.
Khrushchev also stated that the USSR
will not build aircraft carriers because the Soviet navy
has a defensive role and therefore will not operate outside
of land-based air cover.
Comment Khrushchev told the British ambassador
in March that the Soviet navy would be
rearmed with quite different and more modern weapons. It
appears unlikely that the cut of 375 ships from the Soviet
navy announced on 14 May will in any way affect an intensive
effort to equip the Soviet navy with the latest and most modern
weapons.
17 May 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 3
7crritvir___.:
Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161862
Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161862
'two
2. EGYPT TO RECOGNIZE COMMUNIST CHINA
Comment on:
Egypt's decision to recognize Commu-
nist China follows more than a year of
diplOmatic effort on the part of the
Chinese Communists to establish offi-
cial contacts with Middle East governments. Since the
Bandung conference, Peiping has concentrated on Egypt,
referred to in Chinese Communist propaganda as "leader
of the Arab states."
Last August Peiping signed a three-year
trade agreement with the Egyptians, and the Chinese Commu-
nists currently maintain a commercial mission in Cairo
Since March,
Cairo has been visited by the Chinese Communist minister of
foreign trade and a 70-man cultural mission. In April, Pei-
ping opened a commodity fair in Egypt.
Egypt--where the Chinese Nationalists
have maintained an embassy--is the first Middle East state
to recognize Peiping. With the exception of Nepal, it is the
only country to have extended recognition since 1950. Of
the other Arab states, Syria is the most likely to follow
Egypt's lead in the immediate future,
During the past six months Chinese Na-
tionalist representatives in the Middle East have sought with-
out success to bolster Taipei's prestige in the area. The
Nationalists' most recent effort has been an attempt to have
their ambassa nr tn pirVilt rerpciitpd also as ambassador to
Saudi Arabia.
17 May 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 4
TOP-SfeRET
Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161862
Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161862
tAIIN11111.CIN/111/4
3. MENDES-FRANCE REPORTED READY TO RESIGN
FROM FRENCH GOVERNMENT
Pierre Mendes-France, who is act-
ing French premier while Mollet is
in Moscow, told an American news-
paper publisher on 15 May that he
plans to resign from the government in "about a week."
Mendes- France reportedly added that another Radical
Socialist and a Socialist would resign with him.
The American embassy in Paris does
not believe that such a move, presumably based on Mendes-
France's opposition to Socialist financial policy, would cause
the fall of the government.
Comment At a 4 May Radical Socialist Party meet-
ing, Mendes- France warned against a
rupture with the Socialist Party and a breaking up of the Re-
publican Front. At that time he stated that he had an obliga-
tion to remain in the government in the hope of influencing
its policy on Algeria toward political reforms which would
permit the coexistence of the French and Moslem communi-
ties there. He may now feel, however, that he no longer
wishes to be associated with a policy which might result in
the loss of Algeria.
17 May 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 5
Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161862
Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161862
,Ngoo
4. POLISH AMBASSADOR IN PARIS COMMENTS
ON POLISH PROBLEMS
At a French reception for Tito, Polish
ambassador Gajewski told Ambassador
Dillon that the Poles had moved much
further with "de-Stalinization" than any
of the other countries of Eastern Europe.
e expects extensive changes in the composition of the War-
saw government.
Gajewski said that because of Poland's
geographic position it would have to stay on a friendly basis
with the USSR. He added that no matter what the rights and
wrongs of the matter were, Poland's eastern boundary was
"fixed forevermore and therefore the Poles could not afford
any change" in the Oder-Neisse frontier.
The Polish envoy also said that the one .
thing the Poles feared most was German militarism. When
asked why Poland had then not objected to the establishment
of an army in East Germany, he replied, "Don't believe for
a minute that we Poles consider East Germans to be anything
but Germans."
Comment The Polish ambassador's views probably
reflect the opinions of a large group of
influential party members who are pushing to bring about a
Polish form of Communist development. The new party first
secretary, Edward Ochab, opposes their efforts, but has had
little or no success in controlling the trend toward liberaliza-
tion.
17 May 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 6
Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161862
Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161862
H jit
5. ALGERIAN REBEL OFFENSIVE FORECAST WITHIN
NEXT TWO MONTHS
the recent
flare-up of terrorism in the department of Oran and in-
creased rebel activity near Algiers are merely diversion-
ary tactics in preparation for a real rebel offensive either at
Tlemcen (western Algeria) or Philippeville (eastern Algeria).
This offensive would be coupled with the proclamation of an
Algerian republic.
action in western
Algeria can be supported from Morocco, where some 4,000 to
IFNI
SPANISH �
SAHARA
16 MAY 1956
*Rabat
�Casablanca
m
OROCC..
Taza� �uida
leMar,akoch AS
FRENCH
MOROCCO
S Airfields
a
�
OrRn
�
� 'Tlemcen 1
L./Ps')
r,
A
,14evt le �
Algiers Constantino.
AT LA c;
GE R IA
=V-
17 May 56 Current Intelligence Bulletin
)
(..s, TUNISIA
\ eli
..
VLIBYA
Page 7
60516 2
Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161862
Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161862
5,000 trained rebels are allegedlv concentrated.
Comment
uniformly pessimistic regarding
the future French position in North Africa and anticipate that
it will take several months to improve the situation substan-
tially. Meanwhile, the "Army of Liberation," which has
been in stand-by status in northern Morocco for the past two
months, is probably providing reinforcements and procuring
materiel for use by Algerian rebels. This organization, how-
ever, has thus far been responsive to commands of the sultan.
17 May 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 8
COJD1NTIAL
Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161862
Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161862
*quo'
6. SUHRAWARDY REPORTEDLY SOON TO BECOME
PAKISTAN'S PRIME MINISTER
Comment
Suhrawardy flew to East Pakistan on
12 May and to Lahore, capital of West
Pakistan, on 13 May, probably to enlist support for this
arrangement. During his trip he issued statements support-
ing the Republican Party and Karachi's efforts to relieve the
food shortage in East� Pakistan.
These statements strongly suggest that
Suhrawardy, having actually reached an amicable agreement
with Mirza and Chaudhri Mohammad Ali, is working with
them against the West Pakistani Moslem League group and
dissident forces in East Pakistan who are challenging the
government's authority.
Suhrawardy's public support on 13 May
of American military aid to Pakistan was probably also in-
tended to set the stage for him to become prime minister.
17 May 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 9
Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161862
Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161862
THE ARAB-ISRAELI SITUATION
(Information as of 1700, 16 May)
a Soviet ship unloaded a cargo
of arms at Latakia on about 9 May which included 30 or 40
armored personnel carriers, artillery and submachine guns.
MIG-15's may have arrived with this
shipment. The American army attach�eports that between
six and eight sell-propelled guns� resembling the SU-100, were
observed moving south from Latakia--the first indication that
such weapons are in Syria.
According to the American air attach�n
Egypt, the main runway at Ka,brit airfield in the Canal Zone is
being extended to 9,000 feet. Kabrit, and a similar airfield at
Abu Suweir, appear destined to be used by 1L-28 units.
17 May 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 10
SECRET
Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161862
Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 003161862
01/24 41,11..Er
'Nave 'Nue
BIWEEKLY SUMMARY
3-16 May 1956
THE TAIWAN STRAIT
Report of the LAC Current IRtelligence Group
for the Taiwan Strait Problem
1. There was no significant combat activity during the
period.
2. ,he Chinese
Communists are extending the Fukien rail line over two cause-
ways and south across Amoy Island to the commercial port
facilities on Amoy. It is expected that the rail line will be
completed late this year. Opening of Amoy harbor, one of
the finest on the East China coast, would require neutraliza-
tion of Nationalist forces on Quemoy. The shipping lane to
Amoy is vulnerable to Nationalist artillery from Quemoy.
3. over 50 Chinese
Communist field artillery pieces and about 140 vehicles in five
separate parks about 50 miles north of Amoy. A training area
has been reported in this general location, but
may reflect a reinforcement of Communist artillery strength
near Amoy.
4. Rotation of Chinese Nationalist troops between Quemoy
and T'aiwan is scheduled to resume on 10 June. Present plans
envisage the eventual replacement of all troops which were on
Quemoy before August 1955, About 50 percent of these troops
remain to be rotated. The replacement will provide Quemoy with
units that have had recent divisional training on Taiwan under
MAAG supervision, and also give an opportunity for the relieved
units to receive the same training.
17 May 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 11
Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 003161862
Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161862
AMOY RAILROAD CONSTRUCTION
-I� �1� Railroad under construction
CONSTRUCTION
UNDER WAY
0Tungan
� Causeway
* Airfield
Chimei I II CONSTRUCTION UNDER WAY
*KAOCH
M,(/ A OY
Amo
Sunghsu 1
�.4**4Cie
TUNNEL
KUlanghsu
LITTLE QUEMOY
10
1
MILES
TATEN G:7.4
QUEMOY
F."
RET
16 MAY 1956
24166
SECRET
Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161862
-- -
Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161862
TAIWAN STRAIT SITUATION
17 MAY 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
INACTIVE BASES CAPABLE OF USE BY AIRCRAFT
�
SERV!
:EABLE
CURRENT STATUS UNDETERMINED
HO N
�
H U
4
'L
CHANGSHA _
?
HENGYANG
1
NANCHAN
610,000
TilOOPS
(-' 0 A
CHANGTING*
1
"
N. -
KWANG
ACCANTON
T U
SHUIKOu
rI Hong Kong
(GB.)
I+4acsio
(Port.)
HAUT ICAL MILES
50 100
150
50 100
iTATUTE MILES
UNKNOWN
SHANGJA
CHUHSIEN
r-7)
YIngtan c
r N
USABILITY
7
MIG-15
MIG-17
TU-4
IL-28
TU-2,
IL-10
LA-9 /11
LI-2
ETC.
UNKNOWN
* FIELDS NOT CONSIDERED CAPABLE.
OF SUPPORTING SUSTAINED OPER-
ATIONS AT PRESENT.
SHANGHAI
ICHIAHSING
r�
H ANGC HOW
�-*0- CHINHUA
A
LUCH I AO0TACHEN
X WENCHOW
� Juian
1 U r
\
0 CHIENOU
/ 4' 536000 � Ningte
4r x FOO 144Wb MATSUS
Yungan NANTAI � 21,000
LUNGTIEN
LliCkIENG
TAOYUAN *NGSHAN
KANH
)89,000 (1-1_,.._
, -,� IAICHUNG
)
)
N G _ \ A / I W -A N ,
CHENGHAI IP �
SWATOW (*i, '41tH,292,000
116
* LUNGCH140- /-� HSINCHU ILAN
AMOY
wucHiu r� TAIPEI
1.17-HUIAN
CHINGYANG
"-MACH lANG
QUEMOY
82,000
PENGHIJ
120
trTUNG
24-
122
Railroad
Under construction or projected
11111111111
*NATIONALIST AIRFIELD
Primary roads
Secondary roads
60103-2E
Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161862