CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1957/01/29

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Current/Central Intelligence Bulletin Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 03161986
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2019
• Document Release Date: December 20, 2019
• Publication Date: January 29, 1957

11/1 AI AI Ar _ Ar Ar�
/Approved for Release: 2019/12/04 C03161986/
;%
/./
2e;%
%-'7,emz/ zofeso;
3.3(h)(2)
3.5(c)
CURRENT
INTELLIGENCE
BULLETIN
29 January 1957
Copy No, 131
SDOCUMENT NO.
NO CHANGE IN CLASS.
II DECLASSIFIED
CLASS. CHANGED TO: TS S too
NEXT REVIEW DATE:
AUTH* HR 70-
DATE
REVIEWER: ..
OFFICE OF CURRENT INTELLIGENCE
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Approved for Release: 2019/12/04 C03161986
Approved for Release: 2019/12/04 C03161986
Ali]oPt
Approved for Release: 2019/12/04 C03161986
Approved for Release: 2019/12/04 C03161986
*
CONTENTS
1. WEST GERMAN CABINET REPORTEDLY REDUCES ARMED
FORCES TARGET (page 3).
11)2. OPPOSITION ATTACK ON RHEE
29 Jan 57
(page 4).
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 2
Approved for for Release: 2019/12/04 C03161986
Approved for Release: 2019/12/04 C03161986
1. WEST GERMAN CABINET REPORTEDLY REDUCES
ARMED FORCES TARGET
The American embassy in Bonn has
learned from reliable sources in the
West German Defense and Foreign
Ministries that the cabinet has approved
a firm interim force ceiling of only 343,000 men by 31 March
1961.
The army, instead of concentrating on
building seven combat-ready divisions at the earliest date,
would have 200,000 men in 12 divisions, all about 70 per-
cent of strength. The air force would have 100,000, and
the navy 20,000 with the remainder being in support units.
The embassy doubts that under this sched-
ule an effective German defense contribution would be ready
at the beginning of 1959. The total cost of this plan would be
$12.85 billion and would require the Germans to increase their
defense budget during 1958-61 by about $1.3 billion a year above
the present annual level of $2.1 billion.
Comment Domestic opposition to rearmament has
caused the government to modify plans
which in 1954 called for 500,000 men by 1 January 1959. The
West Germans are not only loath to make the economic sacri-
fice for rearmament, but dislike a build-up at a time when they
expect other nations will be cutting back their forces. Defense
Minister Strauss has refused to reveal his build-up plan be-
yond the end of 1957, when he expects 135,000 men to be in
uniform in contrast to the 270,000 men originally envisaged
by his predecessor, Blank.
29 Jan 57
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 3
Approved for Release: 2019/12/04 C03161986
Approved for Release: 2019/12/04 C03161986
Ni -HAL." .11-/-1 -lit
Nessi'
2. OPPOSITION ATTACK ON RBEE
Comment on:
taneous"
vigorous
The strong attack on South Korean presi-
dent Rhee in the assembly on 25 January
is among the "boldest" ever made by Rinee's
opposition, according to the American em-
bassy in Seoul, and has created a "poten-
tially explosive situation" which may lead
to a tightening of police controls. Reports
that police are already organizing "spon-
pro-Rhee demonstrations suggest the possibility of
action against Rhee's detractors.
The reading of a resolution of "warning"
to Rhee, intended as an opposition propaganda move, resulted
in acrimonious exchanges which forced the assembly to adjourn.
The opposition's charges against Rhee included violation of the
constitution and laws, interference in elections and with judi-
cial processes, responsibility for "rotten" personnel adminis-
tration, and illegal fiscal operations which have benefited a
privileged group.
The attack on the administration comes
at a time when it is embarrassed by the involvement of the
national police in the attempted assassination of the vice presi-
dent.
29 Jan 57
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 4
ATIC-1/11477VT1 A r
Approved for Release: 2019/12/04 C03161986