CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1955/07/08

Document Type: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
03448307
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
U
Document Page Count: 
7
Document Creation Date: 
September 20, 2019
Document Release Date: 
September 26, 2019
Sequence Number: 
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
July 8, 1955
File: 
AttachmentSize
PDF icon CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULL[15721975].pdf189.17 KB
Body: 
Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03448307 TOP SECRET //3 /70,// .3(h)(2) 3.5(c) 8 July 1955 Copy No. 99 CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN DOCUMENT NO, /4� v NO CHANGE IN CLASS. DECLASSIFIED � CLASS. CHANGED TO: TS S C NEXT REVIEW DATE: 0 /0 AUTH: HR 70-2 DATE: Wilda REVIEWER: Office of Current Intelligence CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY /4�// -TOP SECRET Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03448307 Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03448307 \rase SUMMARY SOVIET UNION 1. Soviet central committee may be meeting in Moscow (page 3). EASTERN EUROPE 2. Hungarian regime may be preparing charges against United States (page 4). LATIN AMERICA 3. Strike tension mounts in Chile (page 5). 4. Peron pessimistic on Argentine political situation (page 5). * * * * 5. Soviet journalists emphasize Moscow's desire for successful summit talks (page 6). 8 July 55 CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 2 TOP SECRET Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03448307 Approved TOT Re-Q-s-eTforo)09/16 C03448307 Niare SOVIET UNION 1. Soviet central �committee may be meeting in Moscow: There are indications that a central committee meeting is now in progress in Moscow. Such a meeting may have been called to discuss the Soviet posi- tion at the Geneva conference. The primary purpose of such a meeting probably would be to permit the leadership to familiarize the central committee with the government's position prior to the Big Four discussions. A declaration probably would be issued at the end of a meeting designed to give the impression of broad agreement and support of Soviet foreign policy. Statements of top Soviet leaders Khrushchev, Bulganin, ICaganovich and Mikoyan at the American Independence Day reception in Moscow suggested that Soviet policy at Geneva had already been generally agreed upon in the party presidium. A plenum may, however, also be con- cerned with domestic problems, but any dramatic changes, which might reflect upon the stability of the leadership,would probably be avoided at this time. 8 July 55 CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 3 Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03448307 Approved 'i(s-_)7Release: 2019/09/16 C03448307 lure *NO EASTERN EUROPE 2. Hungarian regime may be preparing charges against United States: The Hungarian government may also be concerned over the possibility of hostile demonstrations during the summit meetings which would provide the world with vivid evidence of the unpopularity of the Communist regime. The Vienna press reports that Austrians attending soccer games in Budapest on 6 July observed an un- usually large number of police and military patrols en route. They stated that there was increasing political unrest in Hungary. Recent Soviet moves in regard to Austria and Yugoslavia, as well as anticipation that the summit conference will result in a lessening of Communist oppression, have engen- derecipopular hope and excitement which might lead to sporadic dem- onstrations. 8 July 55 CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 4 rrnr crrnrT Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03448307 Approved for Release: C03448307 Nee \*.upe LATIN AMERICA Strike tension mounts in Chile: There is still no sign of a solution of the strike of railroad, state-owned bus, postal, and telegraph workers which be- gan throughout Chile on 1 July, President Ibanez is said to be adamant in refusing to meet the workers' demands for wage in- creases. A general strike, which was to last for 24 hours, be- gan on 7 July in support of the communications workers. Comment: The important copper workers' union, however, was reported refusing to join the general strike. On 2 July President Ibanez declared most of the industrialized areas of Chile to be emergency zones, and on 6 July the administration requested special powers from Congress to deal with the strikes. Troops in tanks and armored cars have been stationed at key points. If the strike extends be- yond 24 hours, the government may use force to end it. Widespread strikes were instrumental in bringing about President Ibanez' downfall in 1931. The workers' demands cannot be financed without aggravating inflation which has increased Chile's cost of living some 150 percent over the past two years. Peron pessimistic on Argentine political situation: the situa- tion throughout the country is far from normal, with much unrest and hostility toward the government evident among militant Catholics Argentina was divided into two camps, and that there was a serious threat of civil war unless the government eased on opposition groups. 8 July 55 CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 5 TOP SECRET Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03448307 7-."-rr% ry Pry Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03448307 Peron stated that the navy is insisting on his resignation, an official investigation of the flag-burning Incident, and more freedom from opposition political parties0 the government had lost an important battle and was weakened by the revolt, especially its aftermath. The general public, according to Peron, had lost faith in the government, and the Catholic movement was growing constantly. He added that the economic situation had worsened, nationwide strikes are possible because of labor dissatisfaction with wages; moreover, Peron has contacted labor leaders to ex- plore measures to improve his position as president. army officers were apparently unaware of this. tentative plans of the labor confederation for a demonstra- tion on 17 July to "restore" Peron to power, since labor leaders believe him to be a virtual prisoner. They may decide to hold this demonstration on 26 July, the anniversary of the death of Eva Peron. 5,. Soviet journalists emphasize Moscow's desire for successful summit talks: 8 July 55 CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 6 �Ti9P�SEC�RE-T Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03448307 Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03448307 'lope \isof Comment: The USSR's desire to obtain at least a temporary lull in the cold war appears to be sincere, but is so far based on terms that would reduce the effectiveness of the Western defense system more than Orbit military nnwer 8 July 55 CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 7 TOP SFCRFT Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03448307