CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1955/08/05

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Current/Central Intelligence Bulletin Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 03448332
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: September 20, 2019
• Document Release Date: September 26, 2019
• Publication Date: August 5, 1955

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5 August 1955
Copy No.
3.5(c)
CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN
DOCUMENT NO ..18
NO CHANGE IN CLASS.
H DECLASSIFIED
CLASS. CHANGED TO: TS S C
NEXT REVIEW DATE: 0 /
AUTH: HR 70-2
DATE: Lih./e0_ REVIEWER.
Office of Current Intelligence
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
l'OP S ET V
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SUMMARY
FAR EAST
I. Shigemitsu says Japan not committed to storing nuclear weapons
(page 3).
SOUTHEAST ASIA
2. Sizable reduction of French troops in Indochina expected by
November (page 3).
3. Thai premier attempts to strengthen position by cabinet changes
(page 4).
WESTERN EUROPE
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FAR EAST
I. Shigemitsu says Japan not committed to storing nuclear weapons:
Comment: The Japanese government's
political vulnerability on nuclear matters was recently demon-
strated when publicity on the American intention to deploy "Honest
John" rockets with nuclear capabilities enabled the Socialists to
block action on the National Defense Council bill. The council was
to be responsible for long-range defense planning.
Shigemitsu apparently is seeking to elicit
a commitment that the United States will not store atomic weapons
in Japan without the prior consent of the Japanese government.
Earlier, Shigemitsu had publicly claimed that Japan had such a
commitment. (Concurred in by OSI)
SOUTHEAST ASIA
2. Sizable reduction of French troops in Indochina expected by
ovember:
As a result of a conversation with French
premier Faure on 30 July, Ambassador
Dillon estimates that the French Expedi-
tionary Corps in South Vietnam will prob-
ably be reduced to 30,000 before November.
Faure said that before this figure is
reached, he plans to review the situation in consultation with the
5 Aug 55 CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 3
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United States. The premier noted that he had agreed in May to
support South Vietnam premier Diem in return for an understand-
ing that France would be free to withdraw at a reasonable rate
the entire Expeditionary Corps.
Comment: This is the first official policy
statement on current French planning for the Expeditionary Corps.
On 2 July, Paris offered to reduce its
forces to the minimum required to service such bases as may be
granted by Vietnam.
.3. Thai premier attempts to strengthen position by cabinet changes:
The changes in the Thai cabinet announced
on 2 August appear to be a move on the part
of Premier Pliibun to limit the power of
Police Director General Phao, according
to the American embassy in Bangkok. Phi-
bun's intention is evident in the premier's
personal assumption of the Ministry of the
Interior, over which Phao has been de
facto chief as deputy minister. The cabinet changes were made af-
ter Phao left for the United States on 1 August, and the embassy
comments that it remains to be seen whether Phibun's encroach-
ment will be successful.
With regard to these maneuverings
Lie majority of the governing military
oligarchy have become bitter toward Phibun as a result of his re-
cent activities.
Comment: Phaot ambition to succeed
Phibun is well known and recently he has clearly indicated his im-
patience to assume control of the government.
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WESTERN EUROPE
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