CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1957/10/23

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Current/Central Intelligence Bulletin Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 03190617
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2019
• Document Release Date: December 20, 2019
• Publication Date: October 23, 1957

f#084� Z;g313roved for Release: 2019/12/1� C�319�617r
f
0/
CURRENT
/ INTELLIGENCE
BULLETIN
0
#
23 October 1
957
Copy No.
DOCUMENT NO. _
CHANCE IN C
A_SSIFIED
ct..A.S..)--;. CHANCED TO: 73
NEXT REVIEW DATE:
AUTH: H 0
DATE

138
3.3(h)(2)
3.5(c)
/
b
� //,
iPVIEWER:
OFFICE OF CURRENT INTELLIGENCE
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
.1
Approved for Release: 2019/12/10 C03190617
Approved for Release: 2019/12/10 C03190617
Nvariv
CONTENTS
1. GROMYKO TELLS ASIAN N DE NS USSR PREPARED
TO USE FORCE IN SYRIA (page 3).
2. KING SAUD REPORTED SERIOUSLY EMBARRASSED BY
SYRIAN,REFUSAL TO ACCEPT SAUDI MEDIATION
(page 4).
67--te-- 3. ADDITIONAL EGYPTIAN TROOPS REPORTEDLY ALERTED
FOR SHIPMENT TO SYRIA (page 5).
4. WET MINH PROBABLY BEHIND SAIGON EXPLOSIONS
(page 6)
62-12_, 5. MOLLET TO TRY TO FORM FRENCH GOVERNMENT
(page 7).
6. BRITISH AMBASSADOR SEES STRONG SUPPORT FOR SETTLE-
MENT IN LAOS page 8).
7. TUNISIAN ARMS SITUATION
(page 9).
8. YUGOSLAV-ALBANIAN QUARREL THREATENS BELGRADE'S
NEW ACCORD WITH SOVIET BLOC (page 10).
23 Oct 57
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 2
TOP SECRET
Approved for Release: 2019/12/10 C03190617
Approved for Release: 2019/12/10 C03190617
*or'
1. GROMYKO TELLS ASIAN UN DELEGATIONS USSR
PREPARED TO USE FORCE IN SYRIA
Soviet Foreign Minister Gromyko on
20 October concluded a meeting with
selected UN delegations on the Syrian
situation by pounding the table and say-
ing, "The Soviet Union is ready to use
force;' according to an Indonesian delegate who was pres-
ent. At the meeting, to which the USSR had invited Soviet
bloc, Indonesian, Indian, Egyptian, and Syrian UN delega-
tions, Gromyko took an extremely stiff line. He ignored
virtually every question concerning Soviet motives and ob-
jectives in the UN discussion and repeated charges against
the United States and Turkey.
Gromyko's remarks, as reported, can-
not be taken as a specific indication of Soviet intention to
intervene unilaterally. In his 16 October public statement,
Gromyko limited himself to an offer to contribute Soviet
forces for a joint UN action, and Soviet spokesmen in private
conversations with Western leaders have thus far avoided
statements as threatening as those quoted by the Indonesian
delegate. Gromyko may have felt, however, that a private
reiteration of Soviet allegations against the United States
and Turkey would increase the prospects of strong Asian-
African support for Syria's complaint in the General Assem-
bly debate. The meeting may have been staged to consolidate
Asian neutralist support for the Syrian complaint, as well as
to demonstrate to Egypt and Syria the "reality" of Soviet sup-
port.
23 Oct 57
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 3
SECRET
Approved for Release: 2019/12/10 C03190617
Approved for Release: 2019/12/10 C03190617
4140 Nue
2. KING SAUD REPORTED SERIOUSLY EMBARRASSED
BY SYRIAN REFUSAL TO ACCEPT SAUDI MEDIATION
Comment on:
King Saud feels he has been seriously
embarrassed by the sudden Syrian dis-
avowal of Saudi mediation in the dispute
with Turkey,
Saud is reported to have returned home
from Beirut with what he considered the written assurance
from Syrian President Quwatli that Syria would accept Saudi
mediation efforts. On this assurance, it was announced over
the Saudi radio on 20 October that Syria and Turkey were
about to send delegations to Dammam. Syria's denial on 22
October that it had agreed to mediation, and Syrian Chief of
Staff Bizri!s earlier denial on 20 October that he had been in-
vited to visit King Saud, have therefore publicly humiliated
the King.
Saud's first reaction is apparently to con-
tinue the public dispute with Syria. According to the King's
emissary, Mecca radio on 23 October will broadcast a corn-
muniqu6 reflecting the King's astonishment at the Syrian denial,
and citing a letter from Quwatli to Saud saying that Syria "ac-
cepts willingly mediation of the King between the Turks and the
Syrians." Saud desires the Turks to proceed to Saudi Arabia in
any event, apparently to save face and show up Syrian bad faith.
Saud also said that there were "many things" about which the
Saudis and Turks could talk.
Should Saud remain offended and initiate
counter-propaganda against Syria, he is likely to be the target
for renewed subversive activity by Egypt and Syria, possibly
including attempts to sabotage the Trans-Arabian Pipeline,
which carries Saudi oil to the Mediterranean via Syria.
23 Oct 57
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 4
Approved for Release: 2019/12/10 C03190617
Approved for Release: 2019/12/10 C03190617
I.L./
30 ADDITIONAL EGYPTIAN TROOPS REPORTEDLY ALERTED
FOR SHIPMENT TO SYRIA
Comment on:
'there
Additional Egyptian military units, includ-
ing an antitank formation, have been alerted
for shipment to Syria to reinforce the ap-
proximately 1,000-1,500 troops now stationed
The previous shipment on 13 October gave
forceful expression to Egyptian-Syrian solidarity, which was
probably its objective. The assignment of additional forces
would indicate Egyptian concern over the stability of the Syrian
regime, in terms of its possible overthrow by pro-Western ele-
ments or a take-over by an extreme pro-Soviet group.
23 Oct 57
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 5
SECRET
Approved for Release: 2019/12/10 C03190617
Approved for Release: 2019/12/10 C03190617
I �4..1 I I.- 1-a I � 1-4
4 WET MINH PROBABLY BEHIND SAIGON EXPLOSIONS
Comment on:
nvestigation by American officials has
stablished that the three explosions which
njured several American military person-
el in Saigon on 22 October were caused
y devices of recent design, prepared by
=efts�
Viet Minh
agents were probably responsibt.
President Diem informed the American
ambassador last month
that Hanoi had
ordered Communist cadres in the South to step up terrorist ac-
tivities� According to Diem, these instructions assigned pri-
ority to the assassination of American officials, especially
MA.AG personnel. Another report stated that such assassina-
tions were to be timed to coincide with the Colombo Plan con-
ference which is now in session in Saigon. Upon receipt and
dissemination of these reports, a warning was issued to Amer-
ican personnel0
additional attacks against American installations are probajble.
One objective of a terrorist campaign against Americans could
be to give the impression that anti-American sentiment is
rampant in South Vietnam. Another could be to cast doubt on
the government's ability to maintain law and order, and to un-
dermine Diem's international prestige.
23 Oct 57
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 6
TOP SECRET
Approved for Release: 2019/12/10 C03190617
Approved for Release: 2019/12/10 C03190617
v.a. AL
410
5, MOLLET TO TRY TO FORM FRENCH GOVERNMENT
Comment on:
Socialist leader Guy Mollet's chances
of success in his second try to end
France's 22-day-old crisis have been
markedly enhanced by reported as-
surances from Independent leader Pinay
that the Independent and Peasant party
would not vote against him. Monet's
candidacy, which was announced as a
new wave of nationwide strikes were scheduled by both
Communist and non-Communist unions for 25 October, may
also be favored by the deepening socio-economic crisis.
The cost of living has been climbing at
the rate of 1 percent a month and union leaders have been
pressed by the rank and file to demand wage increases even
though the government is not empowered to act on such de-
mands. The effectiveness of the one-day stoppage on 16
October and the new willingness of foremen and technicians
to participate in strikes have probably encouraged labor agita-
tion.
France's financial situation is also worsen-
ing. The black-market franc has dropped to 456 to the dollar
as compared with the official rate of 420, and there are ru-
mors of further devaluation.
23 Oct 57
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 7
-CONFIDENT-17th
Approved for Release: 2019/12/10 C03190617
Approved for Release: 2019/12/10 C03190617
%mei %me
6� BRITISH AMBASSADOR SEES STRONG SUPPORT
FOR SETTLEMENT IN LAOS
Reference:
The British ambassador in Laos has
the impression that support for a set-
tlement of the unification issue along
the lines of the communique drafted by
Prime Minister Souvanna Phourna and Pathet chief. Souphan-
nouvong is so widespread that attempts to block its issuance
would produce an unfavorable reaction against US-UK policy.
He is, therefore, advising his government to confine its ef-
forts to stiffening the Laotian government's position on the
details of implementation.
Supporting the ambassador's view is the
statement of Ngon Sananikone, formerly chief government
negotiator with the Pathets and a leader of the conservative
Independent party, that assembly deputies now favor an early
settlement because they believe the government is in the
"driver's seat." Ngon believes that negotiation of the details
will not be completed until the end of the year.
23 Oct 57
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 8
SECRET
Approved for Release: 2019/12/10 C03190617
Approved for Release: 2019/12/10 C03190617
7. TUNISIAN ARMS SITUATION
Comment on:
Tunisian President Bourguiba informed
Ambassador Jones on 21 October that he
is willing to wait for arms from Western
sources until a new French government is
formed, providing this does not take "forever." If there are
new border violations by the French army, however, he will
count on the United States for "quick help."
Bourguiba added that his main problem is
to resolve difficulties with Paris and that he does not wish to
embarrass France.
French-Tunisian relations have eased
somewhat in the past two weeks because of Bourguiba's will-
ingness to negotiate outstanding problems, some minor con-
cessions made by Paris at the insistence of the French am-
bassador, and the absence of border incidents during this period.
23 Oct 57
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 9
-SECRET
Approved for Release: 2019/12/10 C03190617
, Approved for Release: 2019/12/10 C03190617
�.4 J-LL V it .A.C3.1.4
8. YUGOSLAV-ALBANIAN QUARREL THREATENS BELGRADE'S
NEW ACCORD WITH SOVIET BLOC
Comment on:
The sharp Yugoslav reaction to a pamphlet
by Albanian Communist boss Hoxha which
is critical of the Yugoslav role in Albania's
history demonstrates that differences be-
tween Belgrade and other Communist cap-
itals continue to threaten the new accord between Yugoslavia
and the Soviet bloc. The pamphlet was recently published in
the USSR and widely circulated in conjunction with the forthcom-
ing celebration of the 40th anniversary of the October revolution.
Although Belgrade may not relish the resump-
tion of a dispute with Tirana, it has made it clear that despite
the new accord with the Soviet bloc, it will not tolerate any di-
rect public criticism of its policies. Yugoslavia's leading paper,
Borba on 20 October accused Hoxha of treating the development
of Albanian-Yugoslav relations in his brochure in an "untruthful
and biased way." Borba interprets the pamphlet as anti-Yugoslav
and concludes that Hoxha is continuing a course which "is opposed
to the new spirit in the international workers' movement."
Fundamental suspicions have prevented
Albanian-Yugoslav relations from developing any real accord,
but Belgrade and Tirana have refrained from exchanging polem-
ics in recent months. A Tirana-Belgrade exchange at this
time would detract from any declaration of Yugoslav - Soviet bloc
solidarity that Khrushchev may be anticipating in conjunction
with the 40th anniversary festivities. A violent editorial by Hoxha
which appeared in Moscow's Pravda a year ago ignited the Soviet-
Yugoslav controversy which followed the Hungarian revolt.
23 Oct 57
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 10
CONFIDENTIAL
Approved for Release: 2019/12/10 C03190617