CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1955/06/22

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Current/Central Intelligence Bulletin Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 03448320
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: September 20, 2019
• Document Release Date: September 26, 2019
• Publication Date: June 22, 1955

r Approved for Release: 2019/09/17 C03448320,
TOP SECRET /
i7A
22 June 1955
Copy No. 99
CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN
DOCUMENT NO /
NO CHANGE !N CLASS.
D DECLASSIFIED
CLASS. CHANGED TO: TS S C
NEXT REVIEW DATg-7: 20/0
AUTH: HF1 70-2
DATE:
Office of Current Intelligence
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
3.3(h)(2)
3.5(c)
/ye/A
Approved for Release: 2019/09/17 C03448320
Approved for Release: 2019/09/17 C03448320
A �..." A I./1,V A 1.41-4 A
Noe' '4100
SUMMARY
GENERAL
1. French businessmen sound out US on promotion of trade with
Communist China (page 3).
NEAR EAST - AFRICA
USSR steps up campaign to improve Greek relations with Orbit
(page 3)�
3. Comment on the new resident general in French Morocco (page 4).
LATIN AMERICA
4. Comment on the situation in Argentina (page 5).
* * * *
22 June 55 CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 2
Tnr .crrnrT
Approved for Release: 2019/09/17 C03448320
1 I
Approved for Release: 2019/09/17 C03448320
_ _ _ 1 1
GENERAL
1. French businessmen sound out US on promotion of trade with
Communist China:
Jules Julien, a prominent French busi-
nessman and member of the National
Assembly, told Ainbassador Dillon on
16 June that a group of French indus-
trialists were considering a trip to
Communist China to promote trade. French business interests,
he said, are aware of China's increased trade with Britain and
Germany and are interested in expanding trade in nonstrategic
items, but do not want to be put on an "American black list:'
Comment: Pressure is high In the com-
mittee for control of strategic trade with Communist China (CHIN-
COM) for weakening present restrictions. Current procedures
permitting "exceptional" shipments of embargoed goods are being
stretched to the fullest, and in mid-May the French requested ap-
proval to ship $700,000 worth of iron and steel items.
West Germany earlier this year also
sounded out the American attitude on a proposed trade mission to
China, but was temporarily discouraged by American objections.
(Concurred in by ORR)
NEAR EAST - AFRICA
2. USSR steps up campaign to improve Greek relations with Orbit:
Soviet officials in Athens have offered
Moscow's good offices to settle Greek
financial claims against Bulgaria and
Rumania, according to American charg�
Thurston. This offer was described as a Soviet contribution toward
improving Greek relations with the Orbit, and the Soviet representa-
tives also indicated a desire to expand Greek-Soviet trade.
22 June 55 CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 3
Top sreRFT
Approved for Release: 2019/09/17 C03448320
Approved for Release: 2019/09/17 C03448320
.1 FL FL.J...,I 1. la I
''411111,' I ,44000
The Soviet campaign was launched at a
dinner given by the Soviet ambassador on 16 June--the first since
World War II at which a Greek foreign minister was the guest of
honor. The Soviet ambassador complained to Foreign Minister
Stephanopoulos of the "cold and inflexible" Greek attitude on rela-
tions with the USSR. Stephanopoulos also received the impression
that Moscow is prepared to intervene on economic questions to
create normal relations between Greece and Soviet Orbit countries.
There was no Soviet response, however, when Stephanopoulos al-
luded to the status of Greek citizens in the Soviet Union and the
infiltration of agents across the Bulgarian border.
The American embassy comments that
the Soviet Union has achieved an initial success in creating a
favorable atmosphere for the development of closer relations with
Greece. Successful Soviet elimination of peripheral problems in
Greek-Soviet relations, according to the embassy, might encour-
age the development of domestic political alliances with Communist-
front organizations and weaken Greek vigilance vis-a-vis the Soviet
threat.
3. Comment on the new resident general in French Morocco:
Gilbert Grandval, 51-year-old French
ambassador to the Saar who has just been
appointed resident general in Morocco, is
a strong-willed and outspoken organizer
and administrator. His Gaullist political ties may win more atten-
tion in Paris for his recommendations than was accorded to those
of his predecessor, Francis Lacoste.
Despite his Gaullist connections and a
tendency to rash action, however, Grandval is not expected to at-
tempt a policy of repression, at least initially.
Grandvars appointment at this time em-
phasizes his government's concern over the serious situation in
the protectorate, but does not mean an immediate change of policy,
since Premier Faure is at present determined not to jeopardize
the chances of National Assembly approval of the Tunisian conven-
tions.
22 June 55 CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 4
Approved for Release: 2019/09/17 C03448320
Approved for Release:v2019/09/17 C03448320
Nino
Recent French hints that the dynastic
question is a Moroccan problem may indicate that the French are
considering the return of former sultan Ben Youssef, deposed in
1953. French settlers would be strongly opposed to this step, but
the recent assassination of the owner of the Casablanca Maroc-
Presse, a prominent exponent of moderation, has resulted in pop-
ular demand in France for an end to violence in the protectorate,
even with a loss of face.
The return of Ben Youssef would not com-
pletely satisfy the nationalists, however, and Paris probably plans
to institute some of the limited reforms recommended by Lacoste.
Since the French government does not, however, intend to give
Morocco even the restricted autonomy recently granted Tunisia,
nationalist agitation is expected to continue.
LATIN AMERICA
4. Comment on the situation in Argentina:
Argentine minister of the army Lucero
continues to control the military situa-
� tion in Buenos Aires and insists that
"tranquility exists throughout the coun-
try." No progress has been reported,
however, on political negotiations to
clarify the status of President Peron,
or to end what may be merely an uneasy
truce with the naval fleet, whose exact
location has not been disclosed.
Constitucion area
Various reports indicate continuing high
tension and unrest in the army as well
as in the navy and among civilians. Ac-
knowledgment of this is seen in Lucero's
communiqu�f 20 June warning the pub-
lic again against the increasing rumors
of continuing conflict. That these rumors
may have some substance is suggested by
a report, allegedly based on a police broad-
cast, indicating that rebel troops and small
craft were concentrating in the Rosario-
about 120 miles northwest of Buenos Aires.
22 June 55 CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 5
TOP SPCRFT
Approved for Release: 2019/09/17 C03448320
Approved for Release: 2019/09/17 C03448320
I 1-01-,1 %.1.-a
41ige
22 June 55 CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 6
TOP .crCRFT
Approved for Release: 2019/09/17 C03448320