CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1955/08/17

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Current/Central Intelligence Bulletin Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 03448350
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: September 20, 2019
• Document Release Date: September 26, 2019
• Publication Date: August 17, 1955

Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03448350
TO CRET
?(.#,/j0/
C.Z)
17 August 1955 3.3(h)(2)
Copy No, 99
CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN
DOCUMENT NO 48
NO.CHANGE IN CLASS.
[11 DECLASSIFIED
CLASS. CHANGED TO: TS S C
NEXT REVIEW DATE � 0/0
AUTH� HR 70-2
DATE: 1045V REVIEDVEF
Office of Current Intelligence
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
II TOP ET
Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 CO3448350
wz/
Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03448350,t
lwrt
Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03448350
Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03448350
41
CONTENTS
1. NASR PLEADS FOR US HELP (page 3).
3. PATHET LAO LEADER FAVORABLY IMPRESSES
INDIAN TRUCE OFFICIAL (page 5).
4. COMMENT ON MIDDLE EAST MILITARY TALKS
IN IRAQ (page 6).
17 Aug 55
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 2
TOP SECRET
Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03448350
Approved for Release: 2019%09/16 C034148350
1. NASR PLEADS FOR US HELP
Egyptian prime minister Nasr is
stepping up his campaign for Amer-
ican military assistance and diplo-
matic support, in the hope that such
support will bolster his domestic position and increase
his personal influence with the army.
In a talk with Ambassador Byroade
on 14 August, the former Egyptian ambassador to Wash-
ington, Ahma.d Husain, reported that Nasr is getting
himself into a "real box" on the question of accepting
Soviet economic and military aid. According to Husain
Nasr believes the Soviet offers are so attractive-.
the
army may not let Nasr refuse them, although he real-
izes the acquisition of such arms is "the road to Soviet
domination."
Nasr appears to feel that his rela-
tions with other members of the Revolutionary Command
Council and with younger army officers are so precari-
ous that he must score a significant success in order to
retain their support. Husain urged the United States to
think of some dramatic move to help Nasr in this situa-
tion.
Nasr himself talked with Byroade
later the same day, emphasizing Egypt's diminishing
dollar exchange and asking that the United States take
Egyptian pounds for the military equipment it is offer-
ingn Nasr did not mention the Soviet offers or prob-
lems with his army supporters.
17 Aug 55
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 3
.UTRFT
Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03448350
Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C034148350
-
1'7 Aug 55
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 4
TOP SECRET
Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03448350
nr"Art. v."
Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03448350
3. PATHET LAO LEADER FAVORABLY IMPRESSES
INDIAN TRUCE OF FICIAL
Returning from a visit with Pathet Lao
leader Prince Souphannouvong, the In-
dian member of the International Con-
trol Commission�who is acting chair-
man--stated that he was impressed with the ',sincerity" of
the prince and his desire for a peaceful settlement with the
royal government.
The Indian official also professed to be-
lieve that the extent of Viet Minh influence on the Pathets has
been exaggerated. He said he saw no Vietnamese and that
Souphannouvong assured him the Pathets need and receive
little aid from the Viet Minh.
Despite his failure to obtain any tangible
concession from Souphannouvong in connection with the dead-
locked Pathet-royal government negotiations, the Indian offi-
cial's attitude indicates the bias with which he will continue
to attempt to break the stalemate.
PATHET LAO AREA- NORTHERN LAOS
PHONG SALM
P ONG ci
SA LY
PROVINCE'
0 ,
LUANO PI:WANG
131
SAM NEUA �.)
,SAM NEM C,..
UONG PELIN
P ROV I NCE
S
SONG El"
'
UNCLASSIFIED 17 AUGUST 1955
50815
17 Aug 55
Recent reports
from Vientiane indi-
cate that the military
situation in the dis-
puted provinces has
become increasingly
serious as a result of
recent armed attacks
by Pathet Lao forces.
Conditions in the Muong
Peun area of Sam Neua
Province are described
by the American army
attach�s "critical"
and Communist activi-
ties in Phong Saly
Province are following
the pattern which pre-
ceded the July attack
on Muong Peun,
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 5
TOP SECRET
Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 003448350
Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03448350
Nor Nome
4. COMMENT ON MIDDLE EAST MILITARY TALKS
IN IRAQ
The Turkish-Iraqi-Iranian-
Pakistani military staff talks at
Habbaniya, Iraq, ended 14 August
in a cordial atmosphere and the
participants agreed to co-operate, subject to approval
of their respective governments, and provided that any
arrangement has the support of the Western powers,
according to the American military observer at the
meetings.
The American observer ascribed
the success achieved at the meetings to the tactful
leadership of the Pakistani delegate.
These talks are the first step toward
bringing Iran into Middle East defense arrangements.
The uncertainty among the participants is reflected in
the decision to leave the initiative for further talks up
to Iran.
The Shal
has "cooled considerably"
to the idea of a defense pact unless the United States
helps Iran's army to obtain aid on a par with that of Turkey.
With his visit to Moscow in the offing, the Shah may be-,
lieve that it is an opportune time to press the United
States for more military aid.
17 Aug 55
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 6
TOP SECRET
Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03448350