NEAR EAST/AFRICA BRANCH INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY FOR WEEK ENDING 23 FEBRUARY 1949
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Collection:
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST):
CIA-RDP78-01617A004700010041-4
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RIFPUB
Original Classification:
S
Document Page Count:
8
Document Creation Date:
December 27, 2016
Document Release Date:
July 22, 2013
Sequence Number:
41
Case Number:
Publication Date:
February 23, 1949
Content Type:
REPORT
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an official CIA issuance, and has not,neccesarily
been coordinated with other ORE producing compe-
nests. It represents current thinking by one
group of specialists in MAD and is &sipped for
use by others engaged on similar or overlapping
studies. The .opinions expressed herein msy be
revised before final and official publication.
It is intended eolely for the information of the
addressee and not for furthsr dissemination.
Document No.
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ODA Memo 4 A
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NEAR EAST/AFRICA BRANCH
INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY
For Week Ending
23 February 1949
GREECE
Vol. IV No.7
Economic policy: The economic policy of the new coalition may prove
more effective than that of previous governments. Although the govern-
ment Indulged in the usual wordiness in announcing its policy to
parliament 1 February, it specifically pledged efforts to increase
revenues, redistribute the tax burden, and establish a sounder currency.
Since then the government has: (1) announced a deadline for declaration
by private citizens of their foreign assets; (2) tightened credit controls;
and (3) imposed a capital levy, which is expected to yield an additional
$10 million for relief purposes. In spite of the obvious need to find
additional sources of revenue and foreign exchange, previous Greek
Governments under Populist domination hesitated to impose a capital
levy or take steps to register foreign assets because of the drastic
burdens these steps would impose on the Greeks who furnish the main
financial support for the conservative parties. The decision to actually
impose a capital levy, which had been strongly urged by Markezenis,
one of the new members of the government, reflects the weakened position
of the Populists in the new coalition.
While the government has shown new firmness in dealing with financial
interests, it has been forced to yield to several recent labor demands for
higher wages and may be forced to make further concessions in the
renegotiation of other collective wage agreements scheduled for revision
soon. The cost of living has risen 50 percent during 1948, and there are
also isolated indications that Communist influence in the trade unions is
reviving. Consequently, the unions are less and less likely to accept com-
promises or mere promises and more likely to resort to strike tactics
if their demands are not met.
TURKEY
Electoral and press law reform? Recent reports from Ankara tend to
confirm the impression that the government would produce a quid pro quo
in exchange for the unusual moderation with which the opposition displayed
toward Premier Gunaltars recently announced program. There was already
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some evidence that President !nom had asked Celal Bayar, leader of
the opposition Democratic Party, to blunt his party's attacks upon the
government. The basis for such an arrangement is now suggested by
a recent announcement of the Deputy Premier that amendment of the
electoral and press laws is being studied. If the electoral law, in particu-
lar, were amended to the satisfaction of opposition deputies, one of the
major causes of friction between Turkey's principal political parties would
be removed, and the way opened for impartial elections next year. In such
elections the Democrats would almost certainly make substantial gains
and might quite possibly replace in office the party which has governed the
Republic of Turkey throughout its history.
PALESTINE
After Rhodes, what? The conclusion of an Israeli-Egyptian armistice
at Rhodes, after six weeks of tortuous negotiations, represents a solid
step toward stabilization of the Palestine situation, as well as a signi-
ficant personalachievement for Acting UN Mediator Bunche. The pos-
sibility of renewed hostilities now appears remote, particularly in view
of the recent exchange of 5,000 prisoners effected by Israel and Trans Jordan,
and the Rhodes agreement will undoubtedly encourage the conclusion of
similar agreements with Lebanon, Syria, and Transjcadan, which has now
been authorized to negotiate for Iraq as well.
Despite these auspicious signs, Arab reluctance to accord diplomatic
recognition to Israel makes a de jure peace distant, and a variety of
practical difficulties may well make establishment of a general practical
settlement a long-drawn-out process. The joint armistice commission
set up by the Israeli-Egyptian agreement must clarify a number of
ambiguous terms in the armistice, and its work may be handicapped by
adverse popular reaction in Egypt to the signing of the armistice.
The task of the Palestine Conciliation Commission in working out a
general settlement will be complicated by conflicting territorial claims
which, at least in theory, have not been prejudiced by the present armistice.
(Although Israel remains in possession of Beersheba, for example, it is
unlikely that either Egypt or Transjordan will abandon their claims to the
town.) Another serious obstacle is presented by the insistence of the Arab
governments that Israel permit the return of those Arab refugees who wish
to do so and by Israelis disclaimer of any responsibility for them. Under
these circumstances, there is continuing need for skillful mediation and for
Wiegrr
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the strong pressure the US has already exerted in favor of a settlement.
The present situation also presents the US and UK with an opportunity
to foster friendship for the West and long-term stability in the Near East,
through the medium of guarantees against aggression and large-scale
assistance for economic rehabilitation.
IRAN
Reaction to recent events in Iran: Despite the explosive possibilities
resulting from the attempted assassination of the Shah and subsequent
developments--the outlawing of the Tudeh Party, the arrest of its
leaders, and the apprehension of such potential trouble-makers as Mulla
Kashani, the fantical Moslem leader who claimed but recently the ability
to recruit 400,000 fanatical anti-Communists--no political disturbances
have been reported within Iran. This apparent tranquility may be attributed
to the aversion felt by the major segments of the population toward pro-
Soviet Iranian elements, to the increased popularity of the Shah, and to the
army's efficiency in depriving (at least temporarily) dissident groups of
leadership. Moreover, the fear of harsh retributions, engendered in the
population during the reign of the present Shah's father, undoubtedly acts
as a strong deterrent to disaffected elements.
The Soviet reaction to recent events has been cautious except in the
field of propaganda, but it probably has not yet fully manifested itself.
While the Kremlin, in a comparatively mild demarche, protected aginst
Iranian allegations of Soviet interference in the activities of political
parties in Iran, the Soviet press and radio is lashing out at the Iranian
Government for the measures it has taken against the Tudeh Party.
Although the suppression of the Tudeh Party and its virulent and
scurrilous attacks against the government and the US should have a
beneficial effect on the internal stability of the country, pro-Soviet
Iranian elements and Soviet agencies in Iran will probably resort in-
creasingly to covert activities. The latter have already facilitated the
clandestine preparation and distribution of Tudeh Party publications and
their distribution to members of the party who have gone underground.
The Soviet war of nerves may also be stepped up, especially through
increased propaganda and possibly through the renewal of threatening
activities along Iran's northern borders.
"Sterrar
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4.
NOTED IN BRIEF
The Greek Army has lost its opportunity to exploit its successful
defense of Florina, which resulted in the death or capture of an estimated
1,000 guerrillas. National forces pursing the guerrillas into the Vitsi area
were stopped by well-placed mine fields which gave the retreating guerrillas
time to reorganize defensively and bring up new supplied.
The ELD-SKE ( Socialist Party) finally abandoned its fellow-travelling
status 15 February and denounced-the Communist rebellion. Coming more
than a year after the formation of the Markos junta, this gesture is the
result of pressure on ELD-SKE by elements within the party itself, by
other Greek socialist groups, and, most important, by international socialist
circles. Two representatives of the British Labour Party visited Greece
in the early part of February to obtain such a declaration from ELD-SKE
on the threat of expulsion from the Socialist International.
Any hope of direct participation in the North Atlantic Pact which may
have been entertained by the Turkish and Greek Governments have now
apparently faded. In its place, both countries hope for: (1) a strong
declaration, coincidentally with signature.of the pact, to the effect that
their security interests have not been overlooked and will not be neglected;
and (2) aid and encouragement in the conclusion of a correlated 'Mediterranean'
agreement.
Partial solution of one of Turkey's lesser minority problems may soon
occur, if reports that all restrictions upon Jewish emigration have now been
lifted turn out to be correct. Many Turkish Jews have already emigrated to
Israel, and, apparently a substantial percentage of Turkey's Jewish popula-
tion wants to follow their example.
MAPArs substantial victory over MA PAM in the 13 February election
in Israel's Histradut (General Federation of Jewish Labor) will strengthen
the cautiously pro-West alignment of Prime Minister Ben-Gurion's political
Wsenttr
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party, already a victor in the 25 January elections to the Constituent
Assembly.
The Saudi Arabian Government and the Pacific Western Oil Company
have reportedly reached an agreement whereby the company would acquire,
on terms which can only be described as lush, a concession covering
development rights for the Saudi Arabian half interest in the Kuwait
Neutral Zone. Under the terms reported, the company would undertake
obligations unprecedented in the history of Middle East oil: royalty rate,
55 cents a barrel; down payment, $9.5 million; dead rent, $1 million;
drilling obligation, within one year. The draft concession is also said
to provide that the Saudi Arabian Government would receive 25 percent
of the net profits, in addition to other emoluments.
The Syrian Parliament has been recessed until 5 March, thus post-
poning ratification of either the long-delayed Tapline convention or the
Franco-Syrian Monetary Agreement. The monetary accord, signed an
7 February, provides for: (I) the payment to Syria over a six-year
period of seven billion French francs, in liquidation of the balance held
by France to cover issue of Syrian currency; and (2) the settlement of
various subsidiary claims and counter-claims between the two countries.
Syria, which set up a new currency independent of the franc in early 1948,
will leave 32 billion francs on deposit with the Bank of France.
The Iraqi Government has been taking strong measures to combat
Communism during the past few months. Approximately fifty of the
party's leaders, including the President of the outlawed Communist
Party, were arrested in October and November of 1948 and subsequently
brought to trial. Others who had been rounded up and imprisoned in
early 1947 were retried. Thirty-four were convicted and sentenced for
terms of imprisonment ranging up to life; and four of the most dangerous
leaders were hanged publicly in Baghdad last week.
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? Iranian Foreign Minister Hekmat does not favor communicating the
status of Irano-Soviet relations to the UN Security Council at this time.
He is of the opinion that the border incidents have been insufficiently
serious to merit such a step, and that Iran has 'nothing to complain of
officially.' He thinks, however, that Soviet allegations concerning US
activities in Iran should be refuted by the US, which he considers to be
the primary object of attack.
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The Government of India has moved against two sources of internal
disorder, the Communist in the railway unions and the militant Sikhs.
Although the non-Communist All-India Railwaymen's Federation (which
Includes the majority of rail workers) agreed to refrain from a threatened
strike for higher pay and living allowances pending further negotiations, a
minority of Communist-dominated unions did not go along, and the govern-
ment thereupon arrested some 450 Communists, charging it had documentary
proof of a Communist plot to sabotage the railroads in connection with the
strike. Meanwhile, on 19 February, the government arrested Master Tara
Singh, leader at the militant Sikh Akali separatist party, on his way to a
meeting at Delhi which had been banned by the government. There are no
present indications that the situation is getting out of hand. However, the
government may have a busy time during the first ten days in March. The
Sikhs, who have already demonstrated against the arrest of their leader,
have set aside 2 March as an All-India Protest Day. The Communist rail
workers, along with Communists in the posts and telegraph union, apparently
still intend to go on strike on 9 March.
The work of the UN Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP) is
slowly going ahead. India has agreed to direct dealings between UNCIP
and the Mad Government, provided renovation is not involved, and an
UNCIP sub-committee is now scheduled to go to Mad territory, where
US officers are now serving as UN observers. Pakistan and Indian Army
officers will meet at Chakothi this week to establish the cease-fire line
In the north.
The World Conference of Moslems which opened in Karachi 18 February,
Is a non-governmental body, meeting with the unofficial blessings of
Pakistan, composed of some 200 delegates from 15 nations of Africa, the
;gage'
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Middle East, and the Far East. The aims of the conference are cultural
and educational, but it is likely to adopt resolutions on the Palestine,
Kashmir, and Hyderabad questions.
SECRET
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