CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1958/03/03

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Current/Central Intelligence Bulletin Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 03177770
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 15
• Document Creation Date: January 27, 2020
• Document Release Date: January 30, 2020
• Publication Date: March 3, 1958

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CENTRAL
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BULLETIN
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3 MARCH 1958
I. THE COMMUNIST BLOC
II. ASIA-AFRICA
Jordanians say King Saud has
launched effort to overthrow Syrian
regime.
Yemen adheres to United Arab
Republic.
Tunisia criticizes French plan to
seal Algerian - Tunisian border.
Indonesia - South Sumatran com-
mander apparently leaning toward CI
dissidents.
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VR,
THE WEST
Greek King urged to name another
conservative premier instead of
calling elections.
France - Return of De Gaulle again
under discussion.
Venezuelan governing junta may
legalize Communist party.
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CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN
3 March 1958
DAILY BRIEF
I. THE COMMUNIST BLOC
IL ASIA. AFRICA
Saud-Syria: Jordanian officials report that King Saud
has begun a determined effort to overthrow the present
Syrian regime in order to break up Syria's association with
Nasir's United Arab Republic. Saud is said to believe that
he has reached agreement with key Syrian military leaders
for such an undertaking in the near future. It is unlikely
that Syrian military leaders have made such a deal with
Saud. The Syrians may have led Saud to believe that they
would join such a plot so that they could later expose the
King's willingness to become involved in such an action.
(Page 2)
Yemen joins UAR: Yemen's attachment to Nasir's
United Arab Republic was effected on 2 March despite
efforts by Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Iraq to discourage
such action. Under the loose confederation envisaged,
Egyptian influence will almost certainly be increased in
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Yemen, despite the Iman's retention of a veto over the
resident advisory "federal council" and his command
over any Egyptian or Syrian troops which may be sent
to Yemen.
Tunisian situation: The Bourguiba government is
trying to arouse world opinion against French plans to
seal the Algerian-Tunisian border by evacuating local
populations and creating a large "no man's land" on the
Algerian side. Although French Minister for Algeria
646 Lacoste has issued a communique denying that measures
to create such a zone have been started, Tunisia claims
to be flooded with Algerian refugees and to have discov-
ered French nd mines on Tunisian territory.
(Page 3)
Indonesia: Lt. Col. Barlian in South Sumatra, who
has claimed to be neutral since the 15 February declara-
tion of a rival government in Central Sumatra, now ap-
pears to be taking action more favorable to the dissidents.
The geographic location of Barlian's command and the oil
refineries within his territory make his attitude highly
important both to the dissidents and to the Djakarta gov-
ernment. (Page 4)
III. THE WEST
Greek Government: Following the resignation of
Prime Minister Karamanlis on 2 March, the political
initiative rests in the hands of King Paul. Although the
King has previously indicated that he would call national
elections if Karamanlis were forced out, he is now under
considerable pressure to select another conservative prime
minister and to postpone elections for several months.
Whatever the king decides, political instability in Athens
appears likely to continue for at least several weeks.
(Page 5)
3 Mar 58
DAILY BRIEF ii
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France - De Gaulle rumors: The uncertain outlook
for the Gaillard government and France's deteriorating
position in North Africa are reviving parliamentary and
public references to the desirability and imminence of
General de Gaulle's return to power., There is still no
evidence, however, of any widespread movement favor-
ing the general, who has repeatedly insisted that he
would accent offlrP 9n1y if he were recalled legally.
(Page 6)
Venezuela: The governing junta appears to have
decided to legalize the Communist party, presumably
to ensure continued support by the four parties whose
Patriotic Front took a leading part in the ouster of
President Perez. The junta's stability will be weakened,
however, if such a move is made without the tacit con-
sent of the armed forces leaders who previously ex-
pressed their strong opposition.
(Page 7)
3 Mar 58
DAILY BRIEF iii
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A LI La AI, A.4 A
L THE COMMUNIST BLOC
Soviet Air Activity
a continued unusually low level
of flight activity by Soviet Long Range Air Force me-
dium bombers, by Soviet light bomber and ground attack
aircraft, and by tactical aircraft of the European satel-
lites. This condition has prevailed sirice 23 February.
However, the possible resumption of flights by me-
dium bombers in at least the Soviet Far East and north-
east Siberia is indicated by
Air defense and air transport operations appear to
have remained at normal levels.
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II. ASIA-AFRICA
King Saud Seeking to Break Up Syria's Association
WiTh J
King Saud inforri Jordanian Foreign Minister Rifai
last week that he is olatermined to employ all resources
necessary to overthrow the present Syrian Government and
split Syria from Egypt. Rifai told the American charg�
in Amman on 28 February that Saud was confident he could
create the necessary organization within the next several
months. Next day, however, King Husayn indicated to Am-
erican officials that Saud was supporting a plan by Syrian
intelligence chief Sarraj and Deputy Chief of Staff Nafuri
to overthrow the Syrian Government in the near future--
allegedly about 3 March. The revolutionary group alleged-
ly would arrest members of 1:he present government and
create a military junta to rule Syria. Sarraj was repre-
sented as willing to consider joining the Iraqi-Jordanian
federation.
Saud's efforts at undermining the governmpnts of Syria
and Egypt during the past year have been ineffective and9
apparently, well penetrated by Syrian and Egyptian counter-
intelligence agents. Earlier this year a group of Syrian
officers, apparently representing Nafuri, is reported to
have sought Saud's help for a military coup against the
Syrian regime. Some Nafuri followers are believed to have
been arrested in February. This is, however, the first re-
port linking Sarraj, who is probably the strongest single in-
dividual in Syria, with the leadership of such an effort. Al-
though Sarraj% role in Nasir's new state has not yet been re-
vealed, he has been constantly at Nasir% side during the lat-
ter% current visit to Syria, and there is no other evidence
that he desires to disrupt the new Arab republic and associ-
ate Syria with the pro-Western Arab kings. It is quite pos-
sible, therefore, that the Syrians have been leading Saud on
in order to compromise him in a demonstrable conspiracy.
3 Mar 58
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The Tunisian Situation
President Bourguiba, in a radio speech on 27 Feb-
ruary, apparently initiated a campaign to enlist world
opinion against any French attempt to seal the Algerian-
Tunisian border by creating an extensive "no man's land"
on the Algerian side of the border. Press reports state
that Bourguiba is sending letters to numerous chiefs of
state pointing out disastrous consequences of such a
French policy.
Simultaneously, Tunisia lodged a new complaint
with the UN Security Council, charging that France is
forcibly evicting 250,00 1.iihabitants from the zone and
that these persons are seeking refuge in Tunisia. The
French press claims that no more than 35,000 to 40,000
Algerians will be evacuated and that the frontier cities
of La Calle and Ouenza will become fortresses.
Although Minister for Algeria Lacoste has issued
a communiqu�harging that Tunisia's complaint to the
United Nations is unfounded because measures to estab-
lish a "no man's land" have not yet been initiated, Tunisia
claims that 1,600 new refugees have fled to Tunisia be-
cause of France's "scorched earth" activities along the
Algerian border, and that French LInd mines have been
detected more thanone third of a mile inside Tunisia.
-CONFIDENTIAL-
3 Mar 58
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South Sumatran Commander :Leans Further
Toward Rebels
Lt. Col. Barlian in South Sumatra, who has claimed
to be neutral despite his obvious sympathy for the rebels,
now appears to be leaning even further toward the dissi-
dent government. Barlian has captured an undisclosed
number of irregular troops which had infiltrated Central
and South Sumatra, presumably on government orders, to
undermine rebel leader Hussein in Central Sumatra and
keep Barlian neutral. Apparently as a warning to Djakarta
against meddling in the area, the South Sumatran radio an-
nounced on 1 March that all of Barnazi's troops had pledged
their support to him.
Reports from Java on troop movements in preparation
for an operation against dissident areas now include men-
tion of reactivated student veterans. These groups are
frequently infiltrated or controlled by leftists, and, if
armed by the government, would increase Communist
strength within the Indonesian Army.
With rebel radios back in operation after being bombed
out on 22 February, the propaganda warfare with Djakarta
has resumed. Prime Minister Djuanda warned on 1 March
that persons in Java caught listening to dissident broadcasts
would be prosecuted as rebel sympathizers.
SECRET
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III. THE WEST
Greek Cabinet Resigns
The resignation of Greek Prime Minister Constantine
Karamanlis and his cabinet on 2 March, following loss of
a parliamentary majority when 15 deputies withdrew their
support, has placed the initiative for future political action
in the hands of King Paul. The 15 deputies have formed a
new political party under Panagiotis Papaligouras, one of
two cabinet ministers who resigned on 27 February after
a dispute with the prime minister regarding a new electoral
law.
When submitting his resignation, Karamanlis suggested
that the King dissolve parliament and call for new national
elections. His actions in promoting a split within his cab-
inet and then resigning may have been undertaken in the hope
that new elections would strengthen his position. However,
many Greek politicians including the leaders of the Liberals,
second largest party in Greece, are firmly opposed to elec-
tions at this time and are pressing the King to appoint an-
other conservative prime minister to head an interim gov-
ernment. If elections are called immediately, they will be
held under the present electoral law which favors Karamanlis'
National Radical Union but also makes probable an el8ctoral
coalition of center and leftist parties, as happened in 1)56.
Elections at this time would give Communist sympath-
izers and others an opportunity to exploit popular feeling
connected with the Cyprus issue and the possible location
of American missile bases in Greece. Failure to hold im-
mediate elections, however, would probably lead to a long
period of political instability in Greece, with the result
that government initiative in the fields of domestic and
foreign policy would be seriously inhibited.
4E-G4E-7'
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References to General de Gaulle's Return to Power in France
France's deteriorating position in North Africa and the
uncertain outlook for the Gaillard government are reviving
public and parliamentary references to the desirability and
imminence of General de Gaulle's return to political power.
The American Embassy in Paris notes that, while there is
still no evidence of any mass movement on behalf of the gen-
eral, rumors of Gaillard's imminent fall have led various
members of parliament, ranging from Socialists to Inde-
pendents, to predict privately that De Gaulle will take over.
The Gaullist-oriented Social Republican party has issued
another public appeal for his recall, and recent invocation
of his name by a rightist and a neutralist senator drew
scattered applause from both left and right benches in the
Council of the Republic.
De Gaulle, now 67, has repeatedly indicated that he
would take power only if recalled legally, presumably by
the PresicbaL of the republic with acquiescence of the Na-
tional Assembly. He would immediately dismiss or limit
the assembly for a two- or three-year period while a new
constitution would be devised to provide a stronger execu-
tive. There is, however, little likelihood that the assembly
would relinquish its prerogatives without a drastic upheaval
in France. Although many rightists believe his views on
North Africa coincide with theirs, there are reliable re-
ports that �he would advocate a liberal Algerian settlement
and establishment of a free association of France and the
North African states under the symbolic leadership of
France.
3 Mar 58
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Venezuelan Junta May Legalize Communist Party
A decision by the Venezuelan governing junta on the
status of the Communist party (PCV) could upset the sur-
face unity which has prevailed among the country's dis-
parate political and military groups since late January.
Although armed forces leaders have strongly protested
legalization of the Communist party, prominent leaders
of the three major non-Communist parties seem to favor
such a step, and junta president Larrazabal recently in-
dicated to the American charg�in Caracas that the gov-
ernment may go along with this view. The 9,000-member
PCV gained considerable prestige as an element of the
four-party Patriotic Front which played an important
part in the ouster of dictator Perez, and it has since
become increasingly active in labor and politics.
The junta probably has maintained its stability thus
far because the political parties and the military have
been preoccupied with organizational problems and ma-
neuvering for position. The armed forces are divided
into hostile or suspicious factions, and the leaders of
the non-Communist parties seem to hold conflicting views
on their announced political truce, on methods for restor-
ing constitutional government, and on the role of the
Patriotic Front, which has emerged as a powerful polit-
ical instrumentality in its own right.
3 Mar 58
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DISTRIBUTION
THE PRESIDENT
The Vice President
Executive Offices of the White House
Special Assistant for National Security Affairs
Scientific Adviser to the President
Director of the Budget
Office of Defense Mobilization
Special Assistant for Security Operations Coordination
Operations Coordinating Board
Board of Consultants on Foreign Intelligence Activities
Special Assistant for Foreign Economic Policy
The Treasury Department
The Secretary of the Treasury
The Department of State
The Secretary of State
The Under Secretary of State
The Deputy Under Secretary for Political Affairs
The Deputy Under Secretary for Administration
The Deputy Under Secretary for Economic Affairs
The Counselor
Director, International Cooperation Administration
Dirertor of Intelligence and Research
The Department of Defense
The Secretary of Defense
The Deputy Secretary of Defense
The Secretary of the Army
The Secretary of the Navy
The Secretary of the Air Force
The Chairman, The Joint Chiefs of Staff
Commandant, United States Marine Corps
The Director, The Joint Staff
Chief of Staff, United States Army
Chief of Naval Operations, United States Navy
Chief of Staff, United States Air Force
Assistant to Secretary of Defense for Special Operations
Deputy Director for Intelligence, The Joint Staff
Assistant Chief of Staff, Intelligence, Department of the Army
Director of Naval Intelligence, Department of the Navy
Assistant Chief of Staff, Intelligence, Department of the Air Force
Supreme Allied Commander, Europe
Commander in Chief, Pacific
Federal Bureau of Investigation
The Director
Atomic Energy Commission
The Chairman
National Security Agency
The Director
National Indications Center
The Director
United States Information Agency
The Director
CONFIDENTIAL
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CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN
3 March 1958
DAILY BRIEF
I. THE COMMUNIST BLOC
Tunisian situation: The Bourguiba government is
trying to arouse world opinion against French plans to
sal the Algerian-Tunisian border by evacuating local
populations and creating a large "no man's land" on the
Algerian side. Although French Minister for Algeria
Lacoste has issued a communiqu�enying that measures
to create such a zone have been started, Tunisia claims
to be flooded with Algerian refugees and to have �scov-
ered French land mines on Tunisian territory.
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