CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1958/07/20

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Current/Central Intelligence Bulletin Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 03172426
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: January 27, 2020
• Document Release Date: January 30, 2020
• Publication Date: July 20, 1958

Approved for Release: 2020/01/23 C03172426
3.5(c)
3.3(h)(2)
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20 July 1958
Copy No. C 57
CENTRAL
INTELLIGENCE
BULLETIN
DOCUMENT NO. le
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CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN
20 July 1958
DAILY BRIEF
L THE COMMUNIST BLOC
*Soviet political moves: The immediate purpose of
Khrushchev's urgent call for a 22 July summit meeting is
probably to deter any Anglo-American action against Iraq
or the UAR. The note is also probably intended to create
the maximum possible international alarm by references
to a world "on the brink of catastrophe" and to Soviet pos-
session of "ballistic rockets of all types including ICBM's,"
In the hope that this alarm will be translated into heavy
pressure on the US and Britain to withdraw their forces
from Lebanon and Jordan. Khrushchev's letters continue
the USSR's cautious approach to the Middle East crisis by
continuing to avoid commitments to any specific course of
action.
Meanwhile the Communist campaign to build up world
pressure against the Western moves is being expanded. In
Potsdam, violent demonstrations were conducted against
the US and British military missions. In Bucharest, an or-
derly 15-minute demonstration took place, marked by visible
disinterest on the part of the 400 to 500 participants. In
Warsaw, the government issued a comparatively mild decla-
ration that the British and American "armed aggression" in
the Middle East iws. a menace to world peace. In Prague,
the government issued a formal statement urging UN action
to force withdrawal of the "aggressors," but the US Embassy
received only a nominal volume of protest letters and tele-
grams from worker groups.
In Peiping, an official protest against intervention in
Jordan was handed the British charge, and PeipingXaclio of-
fered volunteers from Chinese army units to fight in the Middle
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East "if necessary." In Indonesia, a veterans' organization
offered 3,500 volunteers to fight against US and British troops
in the Middle East.
In Tehran, Soviet Ambassador Pegov is reported to have
told the Shah on 19 July that if US or UK troops enter Iran to
stage an attack on Iraq, the USSR will immediately invade Iran.
*Soviet military reaction to Middle East developments:
general increase in Soviet military activity
developed This was particularly evident
In the advertised maneuver areas--Bulgaria, Black Sea, Trans-
caucasu�, and Turkestan, Except for Bulgaria, the exercise-
type activity appeared to be that and nothing more. An excep-
tional number of Soviet transport aircraft have flown into Bul-
garia, however, together with one tactical air division which
has light bomber units trained and equipped for special weap-
ons work. This movement probably is intended to intimidate
Turkey and forestall any Middle East actions by Ankara. The
number of transports involved represents a logistic or airlift
capability beyond that believed necessary for the exercises.
Some Soviet forces elsewhere also have been taking defensive
readiness measures, the most notable being a move out to sea
of some Northern Fleet submarines. On the other hand, Long
Range Air Force activity has been normal, and the air defense
system, while more sensitive in the last two days, is mucp 1Pgs
so ihatit was during the Hungarian and Suez emergencies.
II. ASIA-AFRICA
*Middle East (as of 0100 EDT, 20 July): Shooting in down-
town Beirut on 19 July did not involve American forces. There
Is still no sign that the Lebanese/army intends to act more vig-
orously against the rebels, More serious splits in 'the" army, ,
20 July 58
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and possibly the air force, seem likely. President Chamoun
again intends to prod the army into action, but he appears
physically and mentally very tired. There
has been a sharp increase in the number of vehicles at Syrian
military installations near the Lebanese border. Preparations are
continuing throughout the UAR against the possibility of hostil-
ities.
King Husayn's public statements that he expects American
troops to join the British forces in Jordan are intended as an
additional form of pressure to gain the psychological support
Husayn feels American units would give him. He has broken
relations with the UAR. E The Iraqi-UAR treaty of al-
liance signed 19 July in Damascus s already being implemented.
Iraq has asked the UAR to supply ammunition by air, and a mil-
itary mission appears to have gone from Damascus to Baghdad.
Iraqi units are being alerted to possible air attack and parachute
landing. Authorities in Damascus have promised, at Iraq's re-
uest to protect oil pipelines and pumping stations.
Israeli military activity is normal,
A
*Baghdad Pact - Iraq: Turkey, Iran, and Pakistan, as
members of the Baghdad Pact, have received an appeal from
King Husayn of Jordan for military and other assistance in a
concerted effort to "liberate" Iraq as soon as possible. In
Turkey, in addition to recent redeployMentsin'the southern area,
the Fifth Armored Brigade is now "moving" from its present
garrison in the southwest. Its destination has not been deter-
mined, but it is probably placing itself in an advantageous posi-
tion for possible action against Iraq, Senior Pakistani army
officers have recommended to their government that Pakistan
participate in a joint action against Iraq. The Shah of Iran,
however, appears to favor a subversive campaign designed to
-insrP_r_t_hrinnuAlleA hire_senie without direct ilitary am ction.
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*Cambodia: Cambodia has agreed to extend full diplo-
matic recognition, including an exchange of ambassadors,
to Communibt China. The decision will be made public within
a few days. This will give a strong boost to the pro-Peiping
Chinese community in Cambodia, and probably force the with-
drawal of the unaccredited Chinese Nationalist consul. It will
reinforce Saigon's strong distrust of Prince Sihanouk and de-
feat any hor.. inr an in1111PdintP ICambodian4South Vietnam con-
ciliation.
20 July 58
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