FAVORABLE AND UNFAVORABLE REFERENCES TO THE UNITED STATES IN NON-COMMUNIST BROADCASTS 1 MARCH --1 SEPTEMBER 1953

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79B01737A000800070004-2
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 29, 2001
• Sequence Number: 4
• Publication Date: September 1, 1953
• Content Type: SUMMARY

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.? SECIJRITY INFCRr ATI(?"u
Favorable and Unfavorable
References to the United States
in Non-Communist Broadcasts
1 March -1 September 1953
Summary
As nearly as can be determined from the inadequate and
haphazard sample of opinion available in the FBIS Daily
Reports, the subject which evoked by far the greatest
approbation of the United States in non-Communist broad-
casts during the past six months was President Eisenhower,
particularly in respect to his address of 16 April; and
that which evoked by far the strongest condemnation was
Senator McCarthy and his activities. Other topics fre-
quently mentioned, with references about equally divided
between approval and disapproval, were Secretary Dulles,
statements, especially in connection with his tour with
Mr. Stassen, and the general topic of U.S. aid or Hinter-
vention't abroad,
The following chart and table illustrate the distribution
of references from all countries combined, and comment
from 17 individual countries is subsequently described.
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Favorable and Unfavorable
References to the United States
in Non communist Broadcasts
1 March -1 September 1953
TOTAL ALL COUNTRIES
Eisenhower Statements,
especially 16 April
speech
U.S.Aid or Interven-
tion abroad
Dulles Statements,
especially tour with
Stassen
Food Offer to East
Germany
Rosenberg Case
Senator McCarthy and
Committee Activities
Taf t t s "Go-it-alone"
speech
US~r Tariffs and
Trade Policies
Favorable
Unfavorable
S.rongg
Mild
Mild
Strong
Eisenhower Statements, especially 16 April
speech
86
51
22
13
U. S. Aid or Intervention abroad
28
33
45
29
Dulles Statements, especially tour with
Stassen
12
38
31
32
Food Offer to East Germany
3
2
4
0
Rosenberg Case
0
3
21
2
Senator McCarthy and Committee Activities
3
6
67
100
Taftts "Go-it-alone" speech
0
0
4
10
U.S. Tariffs and Trade Policies
0
0
11
7
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SECRET'S'
SECURITY INFORMATION
Favorable and Unfavorable
References to the United States
in Non-Communist Broadcasts
1 March- 1 September 1953
1. the Sample
Broadcast references to the United States reviewed were confined to those
published in the FBIS Daily Report from March through August 1953, a sample
too small and too haphazard to lend the results any precision as a chrono-
graphy of U.S. prestige abroad. The sample is somewhat weighted, by the
editorial criteria for publication, in favor of adverse. comment, and heavily
weighted in favor of comment on current events as opposed to considered re-
views of U.S. policy and actions. It may be noted that most of the material
is not original radio comment, but press opinion disseminated by radio.
It is not possible to chart any chronological trends on the basis of this
material, but the generalizations contained in the Summary and in the fol-
lowing discussion of individual countries are considered valid.
2. Great Britain
Press reviews of the leading British newspapers and journals of opinion,
as broadcast by the BBC, tend to show certain continuing sensitive points
in the British attitude toward the United States. Senator McCarthy-his
methods, activities and public statements-evoke the strongest condemnation.
Anglo-American policy differences in regard to the Far East, especially the
question of Communist China and its admission to the United Nations, rank
next to the Wisconsin Senator as a source of British irritation toward
things American. Thus, Senator Knowlandts suggestion that the United
States withdraw from the United Nations if the Peking regime is admitted
evoked much adverse press comment. President Eisenhower, on the other
hand, was widely acclaimed for his 16 April speech to the American Society
of Newspaper Editors in which he detailed a series of specific actions the
Soviet Government could take to prove its peaceful intentions. From time
to time, all segments of the British press show considerable concern about
U.S. tariff and trade policies.
3. France
The Paris radio broadcasts as a matter of policy extensive press reviews
representing all shades of French political opinion. The Rosenberg case
seems to have agitated French editorial opinion more than any other single
American subject; the non-Communist Parisian and provincial press opposed
their execution by a ratio of three to one, President Eisenhower's
16 April address was well received in France, judging from the warm approval
expressed by French radio commentators and in radio press reviews.
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rSECURITY INFORMATION
4. Italy
Monitored press reviews broadcast by Rome radio indicate that American
actions which have some direct bearing upon Italy are most likely to
affect Italian press attitudes toward the United States. A case in
point is the annoyance of the press over the Yugoslav Military Mission's
visit to Washington, Alleged U.S, "interference" in the Italian elec-
tion campaign also caused some mild. reaction in non-Communist newspapers,
President Eisenhower's 16 April speech received much favorable comment.
5. West Germany
President Eisenhower's offer of food to the East German population was
widely approved by West German radio commentators and press. The Social-
ist press, however, expressed suspicion that the forthcoming Bundestag
elections were a factor in the offer. The President's l6April speech
was widely reported by the West German regional radios and received warm
acclaim, Radio and press reaction to Senator McCarthy has been frequent,
the bulk of it extremely unfavorable to the Senator. A speech by the
late Senator Taft delivered in Ohio on 26 May advocating a possible "go-
it-alone" policy for the United States drew some criticism by radio com-
mentators who saw in it a recrudescence of American isolationism. The
West German press seems to have divided along straight party lines in regard
to the'U,S, invitation to Adenauer, the Socialists finding little that was
good in the visit,
6. Spain
The Madrid radio shows a certain ambivalence in its attitude toward the
United States. Spanish radio commentators usually approve in a general way
the avowed U.S. policy of discouraging Communist expansion, but often find
much to criticize in the concrete application of that policy. They are
especially fond of delving into history to point out what they consider
past U.S. mistakes in dealing with Communists. U,S.-USSR collaboration
in World War II is frequently assailed, American willingness to sign a
Korean truce was interpreted as weakness toward Communism; Syngman Rhee's
resolute stand was strongly approved. The execution of the Rosenbergs
was widely applauded by the press and radio and seems to have enhanced
the prestige of American justice in Spanish eyes.
7. eden
Stockholm radio comment on American affairs is found principally in radio
reviews of the Swedish press, From time to time, the press has taken
issue with the U.S. stand concerning admission of Communist China to the
United Nations. There has also been a certain amount of oblique criticism
of the American position on East-West trade. Senator McCarthy has been
the object of much unfavorable comment in the Swedish newspapers, especially
as a result of Mr. Matthews'-remarks in dune concerning alleged Communist
influence among the U.S, Protestant clergy,
SECRET
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8. Greece
Athens radio commentaries and radio-disseminated newspaper editorials
and press reviews are usually very pro-American. U.S. economic and
military aid rendered to Greece are the most frequent subject of favorable
comment. There is occasional adverse criticism of some particular phase
of American policy.
9. Aus 'a
In the Austrian press excerpts available Senator McCarthy stands out as
the one American who consistently evokes strong reactions. While the
Senator is not without his Austrian defenders, the overwhelming majority
of the comment is highly unfavorable to him. American economic aid,
while occasionally praised by some newspapers and radio commentators, is
often bitterly assailed by others, especially the Socialist press. The
latter sees in such aid a positive hindrance for developing an independent
Austrian economy. There are frequent petulant outbursts against the con-
tinued military occupation of the country and the lack of a treaty. While
most of this annoyance is directed at the Soviet Union, the three Western
occupying Powers. get some share of the blame. There is no evidence in the
sample that the current Soviet "peace offensive" in regard to Austria has
had any effect, good or bad, on.Austrian attitudes toward the United States.
10, Ecypt
The Cairo radio has long reflected the customary antipathy of the Arab
States toward the United States as a result of American support for the
State of Israel. On the basis of monitored material, it is not possible
to determine if this antipathy has increased or lessened since 1 March
1953. The Middle East tour of Secretary Dulles and Mr. Stassen occasioned
considerably more adverse criticism than favorable comment, judging from
Egyptian radio commentaries and press reviews. Some Egyptian commentators,
on the other hand, see in the United States a possible intermediary for
reaching an eventual understanding with the British in the Suez dispute.
11. Turkey
The Turkish radio reflects the friendly attitude of the Turkish Government
toward the United States. Unlike Cairo, the Ankara radio warmly welcomed
the Dulles-Stassen Middle East tour. The U.S. conduct of the Korean war,
the armistice negotiations, and the subsequent truce were well supported
by the Turkish press and radio. The 16 April speech of President Eisen-
hower also drew much favorable comment.
12. dia
Much of the Indian antagonism toward the United States, as expressed in
radio commentaries and press reviews, stems from the basic Indian disagree-
ment with American Far Eastern policy. There has been sharp criticism of
U.S. conduct of the Korean war, especially American backing of Syngman Rhee.
The U.S. refusal to recognize the Peking Government, continued American
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support for Chiang Kai-shek, and above all the adamant U.S. stand against
admission of Communist China to the United Nations provide unending sub-
ject matter for Indian editorial writers. Indian press and radio opinion
particularly resents the U.S. failure to approve Nehru's "middle course"
policy.
13. Japan and the Philippines
Incidental references to the United States encountered in reportorial
items from Tokyo and Manila show nothing that can be considered praise or
blame concretely and deliberately expressed as valid indigenous opinion.
The Japanese press does show varying degrees of sensitivity toward the
United States in regard to such matters as U.S. bases in Japan, the former
Military Occupation, and some of the provisions of the treaties with the
United States. In the Philippines, the main cause for concern has been
whether the United States will continue its aid and whether there will be
a revision of the Bell Trade Act of 1916. These points are becoming
issues in the current political campaign.
11. In, o ze6ia
Jakarta radio commentaries indicate that the Indonesians strongly resented
the American refusal to back the Indonesian proposal for a rubber "buffer
pool" and stabilized prices at the International Study Group Conference in
Copenhagen in May. There have also, been unfavorable references to alleged
U.S. support of the Chinese Nationalist guerrilla forces in Burma. On a
few occasions the Jakarta radio has hinted that Indonesian security is her
own business and not that of the United States.
15. Argentina, Brazil, Chile
Although the sample from Latin America is comparatively small, certain
factors affecting attitudes toward the United States are discernible,
Buenos Aires radio commentators and press frequently inveigh against
U.S. "imperialism" and American foreign policy in general. Argentine
opinion expressed.in broadcasts is particularly irritated by the American
press handling of Argentine news.
Brazilian press and radio comment unfavorable to the United States is
generally less vehement than Argentine. One frequent Brazilian complaint
is the small amount of American aid devoted to Latin America compared
with other areas of the world. However, Dr. Milton Eisenhower's visit
was generally well received by both Brazil and Argentina.
Judging from Santiago radio commentary and press reviews, Chile's un-
satisfactory negotiations with the United States concerning the price
of copper is an outstanding factor contributing to ill will.
k.9
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