NSC BRIEFING WORLD REACTION TO PARIS DEVELOPMENTS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79R00890A001200050015-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 11, 2002
• Sequence Number: 15
• Publication Date: May 23, 1960
• Content Type: BRIEF

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NSC BRIEFING
WORLD REACTION TO PARIS DEVELOPMENTS
23 May 1960
n ov n?ts e1 ewhere
In Asia, reaction has generally been sophisticated
and responsible.
A. There is much sympathy for the United States position although
there is considerable criticism of its handling of the U-2 in-
cident. It seems to boil down, in many countries, to an attitud(
of a "plague on both houses."
B. Khrushchev's personal behavior, as well as his wrecking tactics,
have been widely condemned.
II. A notable exception has been the Indian press which in recent days
has switched from initial criticism of Khrushchev to a theme blaming
the "whole trouble" on American "bungling."
A. Nehru, so far, has been cautious in his comment. He refuses to
fix blame for summit breakdown and has not condemned U-2
incident.
B. Deputy Prime Minister Pant turned his speech on summit into
censure of Communist China by noting there was "only one
country" which does not feel unhappy over outcome.
III. Ix Japan, South Korea, and Nationalist China, Khrushchev's action
widely criticized, although some Japanese newspapers ascribe a
share of the blame to the US because of the U-2 incident.
IV. No Southeast Asian official, in comment to date, has j pported
C}AT ~P EVI:F .
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A. Indonesia's acting foreign minister Leimena has publicly
refused to assign blame and has called for early summit,
possibly under UN auspices. he says K torpedoed
the summit at behest of ChiComs.
B. K assailed by press and officials in Australia, New Zealand,
and Philippines.
V, In Pakistan, Ayub has made it clear where his sympathies lie,
observing that "today Free World must live under umbrella of
American nuclear deterrent."
A. He may be feeling the heat of Soviet threats, however, because
the government-monitored press has begun putting more blame
for world crisis on US.
West
VI. Initial7E-uropean disappointment, anger and fear now tempered by
conviction crisis not imminent.
A. Some comfort drawn from spontaneous unity in free-world ranks.
VII. Press and politicians agree in blaming Khrushchev for wrecking
conference.
A. Even Laborite Daily Herald, caustic critic of U-2 flight,
charged Khrushchev with "spitting in the face of peace."
VIII.Still wide tendency to see Khrushchev subject to strong internal
Soviet and Bloc pressures.
A. Paris-Jour (mass circulation, sensationalist):
"Twelve days ago, on May 5, addressing the Supreme Soviet,
Khrushchev suddenly and without warning stopped talking like
Khrushchev. On that day he became the spokesman of Mao
Tse-tung.. , , "
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IX. Increasing inclination, however, to see "an episode and maneuver"
to improve Soviet position, without any fundamental reorientation
of Moscow's foreign policy.
A. U-2 flight considered a convenient way out of conference when
Khrushchev saw no breach in Western unity.
X. Nevertheless, US not exonerated.
A. Le Monde said Khrushchev couldn't be blamed for taking
advantage of such a "fine opportunity" as the U-2 incident.
B. Finnish President Kekkonen told US ambassador he was "horrified"
by overflight admission, which he said left Russians no alterna-
tive but to present demands.
XI. There is widespread conviction that K's performance will tighten
Western alliance, but US likely to face new problems with allies.
A. Smaller countries will probably be more cautious about future
use their territories.
B. Some European press comment is beginning to indicate dissatis-
faction with American leadership of the Western camp.
C. De Gaulle told his cabinet on 20 May that "there must be no
dependence on others to assure our own destiny."
1. Couve de Murville assured parliament, however, that De Gaulle
did not envisage a separate role for France.
XII. In Latin America, there has been little official reaction to date.
A. The press in Dominican Republic, Panama, Peru and Venezuela
highlights Soviet responsibility,for wrecking summit,
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B. Cuba tends to follow Communist line; controlled press and radio
using K's diatribes to emphasize Cuban charges that US policies
basically "aggressive."
C. Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Mexico were
critical of US in varying degrees.
1. Brazil, Chile and Ecuador media have suggested smaller
nations be given voice in tackling world problems.
2. Brazilian editorials accuse both sides of "imprudence"
and "inflexibility," and have expressed fear for the
"salvation of mankind."
XIII.Arab reactions vary widely in the proportion of blame attributed
to the US or USSR, but all show deep disappointment over the summit
breakdown and fear of extreme international tension to come.
A. Nasir believes that, while the US blundered seriously in its
handling of the U-2 incident, Khrushchev badly overplayed his
hand in Paris and Eisenhower's restraint has helped change
world opinion in America's favor.
B. Nasir added that Khrushchev's behavior had puzzled most Arabs
as much as it had his own young son who asked, "Has
Khrushchev gone crazy? Does he want a war?"
C. Israel, Jordan, and to a lesser extent Lebanon, have supported
the Western position.
D. In Iraq, the pro-Communist press has supported the USSR and
put all the blame on the United States. The nationalist press
has expressed a cautious view but charges the leftist news-
papers with "propagating for the Communist camp."
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XIV. Public and official reaction in Greece, Turkey and Iran is generally
favorable to the West and the US.
A. Greek Prime Minister Karamanlis suggests that "now is the time
for the Free World to capture the initiative," and that the
West needs "to be up and coming with a variety of proposals to
capture the imagination of the Free World, and the neutrals."
XV. African press and leaders have stressed the danger to world peace,
especially the danger to smaller uncommitted nations, and have
shown some irritation that the "big four" should claim to speak for
the world. They have generally criticized the US for its intelli-
gence activities; they have rebuked the USSR for its intransigent
attitude.
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