CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1956/10/27

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Current/Central Intelligence Bulletin Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 03161871
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 18
• Document Creation Date: October 25, 2019
• Document Release Date: October 31, 2019
• Publication Date: October 27, 1956

;erAedforRelease: 2019/10/23
CURRENT
INTELLIGENCE
BULLETIN
27 October 1956
Copy No. 11
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OFFICE OF CURRENT INTELLIGENCE
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
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CONTENTS
1. THE HUNGARIAN SITUATION
(as of 0100 EDT 27 Oct)
(page 3).
2. NEW LARGE-SCALE MOBILIZATION IN ISRAEL
(page 5).
3. IRAQ REPORTED DIST IN SYRIA FOR
LATE OCTOBER COUP (page 7).
4. SOVIET ATOMIC EXPLOSION REPORTED IMMINENT
(page 8).
5. SINGAPORE RIOTS
page 9).
6. ARAB STATES PROTEST FRENCH ACTION IN ALGERIA
(page 10).
7. PLOT AGAINST COLOMBIAN GOVERNMENT REPORTED
(page 12).
8, EAST EUROPEAN REACTION TO HUNGARIAN DEVELOP-
MENTS
)
(page 13).
9.
GOMULICA
wage ip).
10. REPORTED DISSATISFACTION IN BURMESE ARMY
(page 16).
* * * *
THE ARAB--ISRAE LI SITUATION
(page 17)
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1 THE HUNGARIAN SITUATION (as of 0100 EDT)
Fighting is continuing in Budapest as
of 0600 Budapest time (0100 EDT)
27 October and has spread to at least
one other city and probably several
more. Budapest radio admitted dur-
ing the evening of the 26th that armed
groups had started riots and were
causing disorder in Szolnok0
a raaio
station in south-central Hungary late
on the 26th called for the people in
eight localities in the Pecs area to
co-operate with military and police
forces "wearing the Kossuth rosette"--
a traditional symbol of Hungarian
nationalism. This suggests that siz-
able numbers of Hungarian military
forces now may be supporting the anti-
Communist rebels.
In contrast to claims of victory issued
daily by the regime during the first three days of the fight-
ing, the Presidential Council announced a new amnesty for
all those "fighting either in formations, groups, or singly"
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who surrender their arms by 2200 on the 26th. The curfew,
which the government reinstituted on 26 October in order
to wage "a general attack against the rebels," was to be ex-
tended through 27 October. In addition,
[�telephone contact had again been broken off with Buda-
pest.
The government of Imre Nagy apparently
has been unsuccessful in asserting central authority and Nagy's
prestige is reported declining rapidly. In a- desperate effort
to garner popular support, Nagy promised to negotiate with
the USSR for the withdrawal of all Soviet troops by 1 January
and to form a new popular front government immediately.
Budapest Radio had indicated on the morning of the 26th that
the new government would be formed in a few hours, but a
later broadcast said that it would be established during the
evening of the 26th or the morning of the 27th.
Nagy is having difficulty recruiting prom-
inent former minority leaders, including former Smallholders
Secretary General Bela Kovacs and Social Democrat Ana
Kethely, to participate in a new regime.
Encouraged by the weakness of the gov-
ernment in Budapest, workers throughout the country have
begun to press for extensive changes, and a general strike
seems to be in effect in several cities. At least two regional
governments, seemingly acting independently of the central
regime, have been formed in the provinces--the Workers
Committee of Greater Miskolc and the Workers and Soldiers
Council of Szolnok. These committees, which for the moment
still appear dominated by "national Communists," have called
a general strike until the government implements all their
demands which include the withdrawal of all Soviet troops from
Hungary, a new liberal government and satisfaction for their
economic complaints.
In Budapest, the National Trade Union
Council and an unidentified writers' group, apparently acting
independently, levied a set of demands which, in effect, com-
plemented the Miskolc workers' demands.
ground, air, and naval units in
eastern Europe and the western USSR have been alerteki. Altitude
restrictions have been imposed on the air route between Moscow
and Budapest, probably to facilitate high priority flights be-
tween the two capitals.
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2. NEW LARGE-SCALE MOBILIZATION IN ISRAEL
New Israeli mobilization on a "very large
scale," with an extensive call-up of re-
servists, civilian vehicles and construc-
tion equipment, probably indicates prep-
aration for a limited objective action
against Egypt or Jordan, with full capa-
bility to exploit any Arab response. Prior
to these new call-ups, Israeli strength
had been increased to about 100,000.
The main weight of the new troop and
vehicle movements has been southward from Tel Aviv.
Very heavy concentrations of troops and materiel have been
reported southeast of Tel Aviv, and in the Southern Com-
mand, where a build-up of armor was previously reported.
Earlier in the week Israeli troop activity increased in for-
ward areas near the Jordanian frontier, and extensive lay-
ing of field communication wire was reported.
all Israeli
military units are on a standby alert. Mobilization of per-
sonnel has been sufficient to curtail industrial activity.
The American embassy reports that the
mobilization resembles that which occurred before the El
Auja raid in November 1955. An embassy officer was also
advised by an Israeli official to cancel week-end trips arid
stockpile food supplies.
An Israeli strike against Egypt would
ostensibly be in retaliation, not only for the recent Egyptian
mining of two military vehicles in the El Auja area, which
resulted in three dead and 27 wounded, but also for a series
of recent incursions by Egyptian-directed terrorists from
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Egypt, Syria and Jordan. In the most recent such incident
on 25 October, a terrorist was killed near the Gaza strip by
Israeli security forces four kilometers inside their border.
Israel is also prepared for possible action
against West Jordan if Iraqi or other Arab forces enter Jor-
dan
* * * * * * *
Members of the Watch Committee have
individually examined reports received since their last
meeting concerning Israeli military and associated devel-
opments. They generally agree that the likelihood has in-
creased of major Israeli reprisals, probably against Egypt
in the near future. It is believed that the present Israeli
mobilization, though on a large scale, is not a full mobili-
zation, and therefore Israel does not intend that this action
lead to general hostilities althoughllJ&nrenaringJojneet
the possibility of broader action.
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3, IRAQ REPORTED DISTRIBUTING ,ARMS IN SYRIA
FOR LATE OCTOBER COUP
Iraq is distributing arms among Druze
tribes in southern Syria as part of an
Iraqi plan to execute an antileftist coup
in Syria in late October,
The reported Druze role is to
neutralize Syrian army units in that area.
Iraqi agents
are in contact with elements of the rightist Syrian Social
Nationalist Party and certain conservative Syrian politi-
cians.
Comment A possible Iraqi-sponsored coup against
leftist elements in Syria has been re-
peatedly reported since last June. If arms are actually
being distributed to dissident elements, the rightists may
be about to move.
French agents and Syrian leftists have
also been reported in contact with the Druze. The Druze
are reported to be increasingly restive, hostile to the
present Syrian government, and disappointed that Iraq has
taken no action in Syria to overthrow the government. In
this situation it seems likely that a numberoLdiffejent
groups may be trying to win them over.
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4. SOVIET ATOMIC EXPLOSION REPORTED IMMINENT
Khru-
shchev had revealed that
the USSR would set off an atomic explosion within the '!next
few days:' Khrushchev's statement was made in connec-
tion with an exposition on Soviet desire to ban atomic tests.
He added that in the absence of an agreement to ban tests,
the USSR had no choice but to continue its tests.
Comment If a Soviet test is imminent, it possibly
will occur in the northwestern USSR on
the periphery of the Barents Sea. There has been some
evidence of nuclear weapons program interest in and about
the area of the Kola Peninsula since mid-September,
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5. SINGAPORE RIOTS
Communist-led rioting--with extensive
property damage and some casualties--
is continuing in Singapore. Matters
may be complicated by efforts of some
Chinese secret societies and criminal
elements to exploit the situation.
The police have dislodged student strik-
ers from school grounds where they
ave seen ricaded for the past two weeks. The latest
informatiop suggests that the students' organization is col-
lapsing. Troops of the, local army garrison have taken up
stations to assist in preserving order, and police and army
reinforcements from Malaya have been ordered to Singapore.
Chief Minister Lim has appealed to the
schools to return to their role of institutions of peaceful
Chinese culture rather than continue as pawns in a polit-
ical campaign. This may reduce the rising antagonism
among Singapore Chinese based on the belief that the gov-
ernment is attacking Chinese culture. A successful solu-
tion of the school issue would encourage the government
to press its anti-Communist campaign, and there are al-
ready indications that it is moving against the political
elements of Communist-front "cultural" organizations.
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6. ARAB STATES PROTEST FRENCH ACTION
IN ALGERIA
The Arab world is reacting strongly to
the capture by the French on 22 October
of five Algerian leaders of the Front of
National Liberation (FLN)0
Tewfik el-Madani, FLN leader in Cairo
on 23 October exhorted the Algerian
Army of Liberation over the Cairo radio
to continue the battle "more energetically
and determinedly than be1ore:1
Strong protests have been made to France
by most members of the Arab League.
Its political committee has cabled a pro-
test to the secretary general of the United
Nations and a special meeting of the Arab
League's council considered the situation
on 25 October. The Jordanian Chamber
of Deputies has demanded the recall of
Jordan's ambassador to France.
Anti-French demonstrations have occurred
� in Amman, where the French ambassador
has requested government protection, and
in Tripoli, where crowds demonstrated
anthusiastically outside the Egyptian and Soviet embassies.
Libyan, Iraqi and Saudi Arabian officials have requested
American intercession to obtain the release of the captives.
A group of Iraqi deputies requested Pakistan and India to
use their good offices.
The French charge in Tunis claims to be
receiving no instructions from Paris and believes the situa-
tion is very serious for all French residents, though some-
what better than for French residents in Morocco.
A government spokesman in Paris ex-
pects an interval "little better than an armed truce" for
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two or three months. He told American embassy officials
the French intend to use this interval to advance a political
settlement in Algeria in order not only to solve the Algerian
problem, "at least temporarily," but also to renew friendly
relations with the Moroccans and Tunisians.
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7. PLOT AGAINST COLOMBIAN GOVERNMENT REPORTED
The Colombian government is greatly
concerned over a possible coup, which
reportedly has the support of a group
there is a movement of signifi-
cant proportions to unseat President Rojas. The leaders
of the present movement are not identified. Any substitute
military regime would probably continue to be pro-US.
The Rojas regime has leaned increas-
ingly on the military in recent months since its other sup-
port has eroded rapidly. The military has remained loyal
to the government, although dissatisfaction has been re-
ported among junior officers. However, only the air force
endorsed the "Third Force:' the recent unsuccessful gov-
ernment effort to organize popular support.
Rojas' unexpected convocation on 11 Octo-
ber of the National Constituent Assembly, the sole constitu-
tional element of his regime, has injected an element of con-
troversy and uncertainty in the situation, in part because of
the critical speeches of opposition deputies during the initial
meetings.
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8. EAST EUROPEAN REACTION TO
HUNGARIAN DEVELOPMENTS
The Satellite press generally has mini-
mized developments in Hungary, while
popular reaction has been s
in Poland and Rumania.
The Czechs called public meetings at
all levels which have publicized pledges
of loyalty to the party and inseparable
friendship with the Soviet Union, cul-
minating in a similar politburo decree
of 25 October.
'things
were just as they should be" in Hungary
and Poland--that it was up to the people
to determine what is necessary in the
process of democratization.
the Polish central
committee sent a congratulatory message to the Hungarian
central committee praising the Hungarian moves toward de-
Stalinization.
The Satellite press reaction has gen-
erally followed Moscow's lead in noting only briefly that
disturbances have developed in Hungary, "where counter-
revolutionary forces attempted to overthrow the regime."
These forces were described as local and isolated groups
of anti-socialists who are being stimulated by imperialist
forces of the West. Only the Czechs and Poles have received
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fairly detailed descriptions of the actual events, and only
the Czechs have been told of the anti-Soviet nature of the
revolt and of the intervention of Soviet troops to quell it.
Public reaction has been sympathetic
in the few instances thus far registered. Groups of Poles
demonstrated on 24 October in front of the Hungarian em-
bassy and then headed for the Soviet embassy but were
youth and writers' groans. according to
stopped by tear gas. Two groups sent telegrams of sup-
port to Hungarian
the Polish press.
Hungarian students in CIjRuaiira,
have gone on strike as a reaction to Hungarian events, de-
manding cultural autonomy and better Hungarian minority
representation in Rumania's affairs.
Yugoslav reaction has been one of
satisfaction with the changes in the Hungarian regime.
The Yugoslays have decried only the fact that liberaliza-
tion measures were not taken early enough to avoid armed
conflict. They say Hungary can solve its present problems
only through continued recognition of the workers� demands
and further democratization. They describe the armed re-
volt as the work of irresponsible individuals which has been
seized upon by anti-socialists.
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9. POLISH SOURCES COMMENT ON GOMULKA
�
Comment The removal of seven members of the
politburo on 21 October probably elimi-
nated most if not all of the persons Gomulka regarded as
Soviet agents. In addition, the first secretaries in the
provinces of Szczecin, Bydgoszcz and Cracow have re-
signed since Gomulka,'s ascendancy, and the Polish Trade
Union Federation announced that its presidium would resign
"in the near future:' These actions all suggest that Gomulka
is moving rapidly to strengthen his position.
Gomulka probably made many enemies
among party functionaries during his dictatorial reign as
secretary general before his purge in 1948. These persons,
as well as others who were associated with Stalinist ele-
ments in the party, will now probably be replaced by peo-
ple considered more trustworthy by Gomulka.
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10. REPORTED DISSATISFACTION IN BURMESE ARMY
The Burmese army's capability tq re-
store and maintain law and order, which
has been steadily improving in the past
few years, may be seriously affected by
increased political interference in the
assignment of its personnel. The American army attach�
in Rangoon has received a number of reports of dissension
among army officers, who resent War Office insistence that
they join the Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League, the
government coalition party. Officers who refuse to join, as
well as those who are not "pure" Burmans, are allegedly
being relegated to less important posts and in some cases
separated from the army.
The Burmese Socialist Party, the domi-
nant element in the government coalition, has for some time
been cautiously attempting to gain more effective political
control over the army and to place more Burmans in key
positions. An acceleration of this process could seriously
weaken the army's leadership, especially since many of its
ablest officers are either Anglo-Burman or belong to ethnic
minority groups.
General Ne Win, the commander in chief,
who has generally sought to keep politics out of the military,
appears to be taking little interest in army affairs since his
return from abroad last month. Several reports suggest he
is "on his way out,"
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THE ARAB-ISRAELI SITUATION
(Information as of 1700, 26 October)
The American embassy in Amman points
out that Jordanian chief of staff Nuwar signed the military agree-
ment with Egypt and Syria on 24 October without permission of
the cabinet and that it has not been ratified by parliament. The
under secretary of the Jordanian Foreign Ministry commented
that Nuwar seems to consider himself a government apart. It
is possible, however, that Nuwar's failure to obtain approval may
be deliberate, to enable the government to claim that the agree-
ment is invalid should it desire to do so at some future date.
The American military attach�n Amman
reports that Syria's gift of heavy weapons to Jordan includes 60
Bren gun carriers and eight prewar model French 105-mm.
howitzers. The attach�n Damascus has also observed anti-
tank artillery there being readied for Jordan's use. Egypt
presented the Jordanian air force with, five Vampire jet fight-
ers on 25 October.
the presence in mid-October of an unusually large number ot
tanks in areas west of Alexandria. Thirty-four Sherman and
T-34 tanks were observed there, together with four self-
propelled guns, and a number of additional T-34's arrived
from Cairo on 17 October.
observed 70 armored personnel carriers moving
OWafcUthe city from the armored concentration area near
Giza and has also seen 60 tanks in the canal zone. These are
the first tanks reported in the zone.
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