CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1958/05/16

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Current/Central Intelligence Bulletin Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 03185639
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 24
• Document Creation Date: January 27, 2020
• Document Release Date: January 30, 2020
• Publication Date: May 16, 1958

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3.3(h)(2)
3.5(c)
16 May 1958
Copy No. 140
CENTRAL
IYTELLIGENCE
BULLETIN
DOCUMENT NO.
NO CHANGE IN CLASS.
I 1 DEC1 A3S:17;ED
CLASS. CHANCED TO:
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16 MAY 1958
I. THE COMMUNIST BLOC
Farther report by Guided Missile
Intelligence Committee on third
Soviet satellite. (See page 1.)
� Activity in Polyarnyy Ural area in-
7, dicates ndissile-launching or in-
� strumentation site construction.
Communist allegations of US inter-
vention in Indonesia suggest new
initiatives by Moscow and Peiping
to support Djakarta.
II. ASIA-AFRICA
UAR orders arms distributed to
Chamoun's opponents inside Leba-
non for march. on Beirut.
Indonesia - Djakarta aircraft
bomb installations in Menado;
four dissident planes destroyed,
two damaged.
De Gaulle's declaration will
strengthen Algerian rightists
who may now have General
Salan's support.
_
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---0-Moroccan premier demands an
end to French military activity
and presence in his country.
0 Tunisia under special security
measures with French troops
ordered not to move.
� Joint communiqu�n Nasir's Mos-
cow visit reveals no new develop-
ments.
1
III. THE WEST
France - Pflimlin seeking broader
support for government; De Gaulle
announces readiness to�return to
office.
West Germans make major tactical
concession by agreeing to official
talks with East Germans on Berlin
barge-toll issue.
Venezuela - Military reported pre-
paring take-over of .government as
aftermath of recent rioting.
Guatemala - US ambassador con-
cerned over possibility of demon-
strations during Dr. Milton Eisen-
hower's visit scheduled for next
month.
�Bolivia - Siles government suppresse
14 May revolt in Santa Cruz Province
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CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN
16 May 1958
DAILY BRIEF
I. THE COMMUNIST BLOC
Soviet earth satellite: The Guided Missile Intelligence
Committee issued a statement on 15 May with further in-
formation on the launching of the USSR's third earth satel-
lite vehicle. (Page 1)
Soviet missile activity: New activity in the Polyarnyy
Ural area in the Soviet Arctic strengthens previous indica-
tions that an ICBM launching site or an instrumentation
site for missile test activities is being constructed there.
Helicopter flights to two new points in the area follow a
pattern similar to ones noted in the early stages of con-
struction of the Tyura Tam - Klyuchi "missile test range.
(Approved by Guided Missile Intelligence Committee.)
(Page 2) (Map)
Communist bloc - Indonesia: Statements by Moscow
and Peiping alleging "American intervention" in Indonesia
may presage new Communist initiatives to strengthen the
central government's stand against compromising with the
dissidents. (Page 3)
II. ASIA-AFRICA
Lebanon:
distribute arms inside Lebanon�in the Biqa Val-
ley and in northern Lebanon--in preparation for a march on
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Beirut to support antigovernment elements in the city. On
14 May, UAR officials in Damascus were notified that op-
position elements in Beirut and dissident tribesmen were
in "dire need" of more ammunition.
The focus of military activity in Lebanon has shifted
from the towns to the countryside, but bombings and snip-
ing continue in Beirut. The government intends on 16 May
to ask Parliament for "special powers" to deal with the
security situation.
(Page 4)
Watch Committee conclusions�Middle East: A de-
liberate initiation of hostilities in the Middle East is con-
sidered unlikely in the near future. However, serious in-
cidents are likely to recur. In Lebanon, where the cur-
rent crisis represents a severe threat to the continued
existence of the state as presently constituted, the opposi-
tion to Chamoun is being exploited by a number of neu-
tralist and anti-Western elements, including the UAR and
the Lebanese Communists. There is no evidence available
to indicate -militkryj participation by the Soviet bloc or
by Israel. There is evidence of considerable intervention
by the UAR, including armed irregulars, but military
dispositions do not indicate an intention openly to inter-
vene in force.
Indonesia: Three central government B-25's and two
F-51's on 15 May bombed and strafed the dissident air-
field, town and harbor at Menado, destroying two C-45's,
one PBY, and one F-51. Two other F-51's and the air-
field runway were slightly damaged.
(Page 6) (Map)
Algeria: General de Gaulle's declaration on 15 May
will probably have the immediate effect of strengthening
the determination of rightist elements in Algeria to main-
tain pressure for a change of regime in Paris. A majority
of the 1,200,000 resident Europeans appears to support the
16 May 58
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actions taken so far. The Pflimlin government has ordered
regional military commanders in Algeria to report directly
to the Ministry of Defense rather than to Algiers headquarters,
where commanding General Salan appears to be identifying
himself more closely with the position of General Massu and
the Algiers "committee of public safety." The local military
have assumed control throughout Algeria. Their reaction to
Pflimlin's order is not known. Page 7)
Morocco: In reaction to developments in Algeria, the
Moroccan premier has summoned French Ambassador Parodi
and told him that the evacuation of French troops cannot be
longer delayed; French air activity in Morocco must cease
forthwith; and military airfields near the Algerian border
must be closed down. All French units stationed in Morocco--
numbering about 46,000--are reported to have been confined
to their bases. The premier indicated to Parodi that Morocco
would prevent French forces in Morocco from aiding those in
Algeria, and would assume responsibility for public order
and the protection of the 300,000 French nationals resident
in Morocco. He added that all meetings and demonstrations
would be banned.
Tunisia: The situation remains quiet throughout the
country. Special security measures imposed by the Tunisian
Government after the civilian-military coup in Algiers are
now in force throughout the country. General Gambiez,
commanding some 22,000 French troops in Tunisia who have
been confined to their bases since 8 February, is reported
to be loyal to the Pflimlin government and has ordered his
forces to make no moves. (Page 9)
*Nasir's Moscow visit: The joint communiqu�arking
the eria of Nasies visitIto the USSR, while giving the impres-
sion that his Kremlin talks have solidified Soviet-Egyptian
relations, reveals no new developments. The communiqu�
carefully avoids any reference to decisions reached in the
top-level discussions, and addresses itself to such obvious
16 May 58
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topics as colonialism, Algeria, Yemen, and nuclear tests.
Nasir and Ithrushchev call for an end to foreign "inter-
ference" in Indonesia, and give their full support to the
"legitimate rights" of the Palestinian Arabs. The cryptic
approval of "nonaggression treaties between states" aS
me'and of reducing international tensions may foreshadow
future action between Moscow and Cairo. The Soviet
leaders' acceptance of Nasir's formal invitation to visit
the United Arab Republic suggests that the m
Egyptian-Soviet relations will be maintained.
III. THE WEST
*France (Information as of 0200): Prospects that the
Pflim iThri-Tvernment can soon reassert control over French
authorities in Algeria were dimmed on 15 May when Pflimlin
was unable to broaden his government by obtaining full Inde-
pendent party supports and rightists, particularly those in
Algeria, were encouraged by De Gaulle's statement that he
was "ready to assume the powers of the republic." The gov-
ernment admits that it has little solid information on the at-
titude of the military, even in France itself. Thus far, how-
ever, there has been-little public reaction to De Gaulle's bid.
(Page 10)
Be rlin: Bonn's decision to hold official talks on 16 May
with'st ministerial representatives on the new
tolls imposed on barge traffic to Berlin is a major tactical
concession. (Page 11)
Venezuela: Minister of Defense Castro Leon and the
chief o! the general staff, the two leading senior officer
holdovers from the Perez Jimenez regime, seem to be con-
sidering a take-over of the government as a result of serious
16 May 58
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military dissatisfaction over the recent rioting.
the governing junta
is already finished. (Page 12)
Guatemala: Ambassador Mallory is concerned over the
possibility of anti-American disturbances during the sched-
uled visit of Dr. Milton Eisenhower next month. President
Ydigoras has been weak and vacillating; Communists and
pro-Communists are becoming bolder; and the political
atmosphere is tonduc1ve3 to demonstrations of extreme
nationalism. (Page 13)
Bolivia: A revolutionary outbreak in the province of
Santa7UFHappears to have been suppressed without blood-
shed by the government's action on 14 May in dec1arin a
state of siege and sending troops to the area.
16 May 58
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I. THE COMMUNIST BLOC
Statement of Guided Missile Intelligence Committee of
15 May 1958
1. The USSR announced the launching of its third
satellite on 15 May 1958.
a probable
satellite/space vehicle was launched at 0301 EDT (0701Z).
2. At about 0900 EDT, 14 May 1958 (1300Z), opera-
tional traffic was first observed on the Tyura Tam end of
the Tvura Tam missile test range.
The countaown proceeaea
� with little delay, culminating in a launching at about 0300
EDT (0700Z).
5. It is expected that more details will be announced
by the USSR and that additional information will be derived
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Moscow
7
ACTIVITY IN ''� r uKAL AREA
FRANZ JOSEF LAND
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Arkhangelsk
Gorki),
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Polarnyy Ural
Obskay sai
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Tobolsk
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Tatarsk
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Baykonur
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Activity at Possible Missile Site of Polarnyy Ural
Since late April
six or possibly seven HOUND (MI-4) military helicopters
to two isolated Arctic locations, Porsyakha and Poluj, from
Obskaya, the closest airfield to Polarnyy Ural. Both destina-
tions appear to be illogical for development as radar sites or
airfields; hence the flights probably indicate an expansion of
the possibly missile-associated construction activity in thp Po-
larnyy Ural area.
the Obskaya helicopters may also
be associated with the missile program.
Mis-
sile -associated construction activity in the Polarnyy Ural
area - was indicated by the transfer to that area in the latter
half of 1957 of construction personnel formerly associated
with supervision of construction at Klyuchi. termi7us of the
Soviet BM test range.
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Sino-Soviet Political Support for Indonesia
Simultaneous statements by Moscow and Peiping de-
nouncing "American intervention" in Indonesia may presage
new Communist initiatives intended to stiffen the Indonesian
Government, by a display of bloc support, against any pos-
sible willingness to compromise with the rebels. The bloc,.in
Its effort Ai) discredit the US for its "interference" in Indo-
nesia and for its alleged violation of the UN Charter, could
be laying the groundwork for a move to raise the issue in
the United Nations.
The concerted attack, which follows the pattern of
charges during the Turkish-Syrian "crisis" last October,
is designed to draw world attention to the central govern-
ment's charges against foreign aid to the rebels. The state-
ments contain carefully phrased "warnings" that the Com-
munist bloc will stand beside legitimate and independent
Afro-Asian governments. Unlike previous Chinese statements,
Peiping's formal declaration warns that the American - Chi-
nese Nationalist "intervention" will give rise to "very danger-
ous consequences." The declaration reassures the central
government of Communist China's "full support" and hints
at readiness to send other than economic aid "as may be
requested."
The Chinese Communists have sent no military aid to
Indonesia, although bloc aircraft for the central government
have been crossing Communist China.
� Peiping's assistance thus far has been limited to a $20,-
000,000 loan including timely shipments of food, textiles,
and other consumer goods to meet Indonesia's emergency
needs.
The USSR, in addition to granting economic development
and arms loans, has sold ten cargo ships to Indonesia and is
now sending small tankers to replace Western vessels on inter-
island runs. At least one small tanker now en route will ar-
rive in early June, and others probably will be provided.
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Aft
Baniyas
MEDITERRANEAN
SEA
Tripoli
� Beirut
Bayt ad Din�
Sidon
-30 inch pipeline
Horns
Al Harmal
Damascus
31 inch pipeline
12 inch pipeline
16 inch pipeline
Selected Roads
TO JORDAN & 0 20 40 60
\\SAUDI ARABIA
14 MAY 1958
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Lebanese Situation
II. ASIA-AFRICA
According to unconfirmed reports of other UAR inter-
ference in the Lebanese crisis, 20 :busloads of Arabs in
"tribal dress" have been sent from Homs into northern
Lebanon, and Syrian army commandos are now operating
in Lebanon from different points along the border. Syrian
Communists are said to be cooperating with Syrian Baathists
in a temporary united front to assist the Communists and
opposition in Lebanon, Sev-
eral small ships from Gaza carrying arms and fedayeen
have been intercepted off the southern Lebanese coast.
Although bombing and sniping is still going on in the
cities, the arena of military activity is shifting to the coun-
tryside, where government forces and progovernment ir-
regulars are beating back opposition elements. The forces
of anti-Chamoun leader Kamal Jumblatt were driven off
from Bayt ad-Din and are thought to be retreating into the
Biqa to join up with opposition bands heading south from the
al-Harmal region for a move on Beirut. Lebanese army
commander General Shihab is said to have a battalion and
a tank squadron in the Biqa to meet such a threat. Moun-
tains between the Biqa and Beirut also impede any such
1
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movements. Lebanese air force planes are patrolling the
Syrian border on the lookout for armed bands coming over
the frontier.
Early on 15 May Shihab was reported to be optimistic
about the situation. The government on 16 May intends to
ask Parliament for "special powers" to deal with the secu-
rity situation.
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Indonesian Situation
The dissident capital at Menado, its airfield and harbor
were bombed and strafedon15 May by three government B-25's
and two F-51's, The govern-
ment destroyed two C-45's, one PBY, and one F-51 and dam-
aged two F-5I's and the airfield runway. The dissidents! B-26
aircraft apparently were not damaged.
The government air strike presumably was made in an
effort to neutralize the dissident air force before proceeding
with amphibious attacks on dissident targets in Celebes,
Morotai, and Halmahera. Dissident air activity continued
through 15 May, however, with bombings of Ambon on 13 and
15 May and of the Palu area in North Celebes on 13 May.
Although the Indonesian Army is reported to have pro-
hibited the holding of a mass "anti-intervention" rally in
Djakarta on 16 May, the three major non-Communist parties
as well as the Communist party have committed themselves
to participate. The American Embassy comments that it will
be significant if the army follows through on its reported ban
in view of the endorsement of the meeting by all major parties.
The renewal of charges and countercharges between the
Philippines and the Djakarta government appears to have fur-
ther strained the relations between the two countries. The
Philippine defense secretary has charged recently that the
USSR is assisting in Djakarta's operations against the rebels
and has warned of a Communist take-over in Indonesia. On
14 May, Philippine President Garcia publicly supported the
statements of his cabinet minister. The Indonesian Govern-
ment has repeatedly accused the Philippines of assisting the
rebels, and the Indonesian leftist press has recently claimed
that 2,500 Philippine volunteers are fighting with the dissidents.
Japanese Vice Premier Yamada has indicated to Ameri-
can officials Japan's willingness to help stabilize the Indone-
sian situation by trying to persuade President Sukarno to com-
promise with the dissidents. Yamada said Japan also hopes
to strengthen economic ties with Indonesia through the repa-
rations program and thereby undercut Sino-Soviet offers.
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Situation in Algeria
General de Gaulle's statement has apparently encouraged
dominant military and rightist civilian elements in Algeria--
among whom indications of disunity had begun to appear--to
maintain pressure for a change of regime in Paris. The
army's tightening of security controls on 15 May helped fore-
stall new disorders but tension remains high, especially in
Algiers,where a crowd of several thousand Europeans greeted
De Gaulle's statement with a lengthy ovation.
A military spokesman for General IVIassu's "committee
of public safety" in Algiers said De Gaulle's declaration was
"decisive for our action" and would allow the "rapid de-
velopment of the situation." He also announced that repre-
sentatives from 129 "public safety" committees through-
out Algeria would meet in Algiers on 16 May to set up an
Algeria-wide committee, which could formulate political
policy until De Gaulle can take over in Paris. However,
the spokesman's evasiveness as to the committee's course
if Be Gaulle does not gain power suggests that at least
some of the present leaders in Algiers want to keep a path
open for reconciliation with the present Paris regime. A
tenuous link still exists between Paris and the Algerian
committees in their mutual recognition of General Salan
as the titular authority in Algeria.
New strains were imposed on this link when Salan, at
the conclusion of a brief public speech prior to De Gaulle's
pronouncement, specifically acclaimed De Gaulle. Salan's
action appears to have momentarily reassured civilian ex-
tremists whose suspicions of Salan's real intentions had been
aroused. At the same time, the Pflimlin government, de-
spite its earlier statements implying Salan's complete
loyalty to Paris, ordered regional field commanders in
Algeria to report directly to the Ministry of Defense in
Paris rather than to Algiers headquarters.
Clashes between French army elements and National
Liberation Front (FLN) guerrillas appear to have tapered
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off considerably since the 13 May coup.
French troops have been
pulled back into the cities. giving the guerrillas more free-
dom of movement. the FLN would take
full advantage of this situation to move troops and supplies
into place in preparation for a future offensive.
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Tunisian Reaction to Developments in Algeria
Tunisia remains quiet, the Tunisian Army is on an
alert basis, and other special security measures are in
force throughout the country following the 13 May coup
in Algiers.
Nevertheless, the Tunisians are closely observing
all French military activities, and continue to fear the
intentions of these French forces which have been con-
fined to their bases on Bourguiba's order since 8 Feb-
ruary. .MOlikadern,. informed the American Embassy in
Tunis that reports of activity early on 14 May at the
French air base near Tunis and at a nearby radar instal-
lation turned out to be false alarms.
Members of the Neo-Destour party and other public
organizations are on emergency call in the event of
trouble. A Neo-Destour leader claims that' he fears an
attempt by agents of the United Arab Republic to stir
up trouble in Tunisia and authorities are being "par-
ticularly alert" to the possibility.
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III. THE WEST
French Political Crisis (Information as of 0200)
French Independent party refusal to let party leader
Pinay participate in the government, as requested by
Premier Pflimlin, jeopardizes the premier's ability to
rally a more broadly based government in time to re-
impose Paris' authority over the defiant military and
French settler elements in Algeria. A top Pflimlin aide
admitted to an American embassy official on 15 May that
the government has "very little solid information as to
what the military is up to," even in France.
General de Gaulle's 15 May pronouncement of readi-
ness "to assume the powers of the republic" thus far has
apparently aroused little positive public reaction in France
itself, where most political elements have rallied to "de-
fend the republic." The embassy notes that there is also
a widespread determination that means must be found to
avoid the secession of Algeria at all costs. The growth of
pressure in Algeria for De Gaulle's return to power seems
unlikely to be affected by the measures Pflimlin has asked
parliament to approve on 16 May--declaration of a state of
emergency and dissolution of several extreme rightist
groups.
The Communists are trying to use the threat of De
Gaulle's return as pressure for the formation of a popular
front to "save the republic." The Communist-dominated
General Labor Confederation is reported calling for sym-
bolic work stoppages, possibly with a view to broadening
themzinto a general strike.
CONFIDENTIAL
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West Berlin Waterways Question
Bonn's cabinet decision of 14 May to send ministerial
representatives to negotiate with the East Germans on
the Berlin waterways question is a major tactical conces-
sion reflecting Bonn's reluctance to apply effective counter-
measures against the new East German tax on barge shipping.
Bonn has previously refused to negotiate above the tech-
nical level. In a similar situation in 1955, negotiations
with the East Germans were conducted by a Hamburg water-
ways office. Preliminary talks on 9 and 10 May this year
were conducted by the interzonal trade representatives,who
are also technical experts. Now Bonn's representatives
will include a department chief from the Ministry of Trans-
portation.
The East German regime has thus made some gains to-
ward its primary goal of establishing government-level re-
lations with Bonn. The East Germans can be expected to
exploit the meeting to the fullest as evidence that the two
Germanies'are equal, in the hope that other Western coun-
tries will then find it feasible to establish closer relations
with East Germany. Having achieved a meeting at the minis-
try level, the East Germans will probably be amenable to
reducing the barge toll in return for a satisfactory compensa-
tion by West Germany for flood damages East Germany ex-
pects to result from the projected deesthacht Dam on the
Elbe ver.
CONFIDENTIAL
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Nair
Coup May Be Imminent in Venezuela
The recent rioting in Caracas has strengthened the
faction of the Venezuelan military which apparently op-
poses civilian control of the government. Minister of
Defense Castro Leon and Chief of the General Staff Perez
Morales, the two leading senior officers held over from
the Perez Jimenez dictatorship, have already assumed
dominant roles in the Venezuelan Government as a re-
sult of a power shift late on 13 May,
A second source reports that Castro and his ad-
eren s were about to take over the government on 13 May
but at the last minute decided against doing so because of
Vice President Nixon's presence in the country.
Castro and Perez apparently still hope to supplant
the present junta which is partly civilian. Junta President
Wolfgang Larrazabal's public statement that he would not
order the shedding of Venezuelan blood contributed to the
extent and violent nature of the recent rioting. Admiral
Larrazabal has consequently suffered a serious loss of
prestige among the military.
Establishment of a military dictatorship in Venezuela
at this time would occasion bitter criticism of the United
States in most Latin American countries. The Communist-
inspired rioting has recently given wide circulation to the
popular Latin American chargf that thp itrted States sup-
'ports dictatorial government.
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Leftist Trend in Guatemala Considered Threat to
Visit of Dr. Milton Eisenhower
The political atmosphere in Guatemala is conducive
to continuing Communist gains and to the development of
extreme nationalism and anti-Americanism. American
� Ambassador Mallory fears that Communists and other anti-
American elements, such as leftist student groups, may
,feel encouraged to instigate disorders during the scheduled
visit of Dr. Milton Eisenhower, tentatively set for 15 to
� 19 June.
President Ydigoras
has made no effort to control or
euunw-
act the activities of returning exiles and other Communists
and pro-Communists, who are daily becoming bolder and
more active. The President lacks well-organized political
support and has failed to develop a program with popular ap-
peal. Although a conservative by background and tempera-
ment, his actions and statements during his first two months
in office suggest that he probably hopes to gain the support
of at least some leftist, non-Communist groups. Apparently
impressed by the ability and growing strength of the leftists,
he will probably go out of his way to avoid offending them.
Pro- and anti-Communist factions of the fast-growing
leftist Revolutionary party are already maneuvering for
control 4t the party convention scheduled to begin on 25
ju:7
SECRET
16 May 58 CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 13
Approved for Release: 2019/08/20 C03185639