CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00975A000100420001-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 21, 2003
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: March 28, 1951
• Content Type: REPORT

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28 March 1951
Copy Noo .-q
CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLET INo,~
DOCUMENT NO.
I ; Li L_ C._ 7,3SIFIED
CLASS, NEXT- -1CNi.NDATTO- TS SI
AUTH:`` R 742
DATE .(___~' CVIEWrfi:
Office of Current Intelligence
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
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SUMMARY
FAR EAST
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2. De Lathe's reinforcements to come from North Africa (page 3).
3, French hope to forestall Chinese Communist intervention in Indochina
(page 4).
EASTERN EUROPE
4. Izvestia charges US with planning aggression against Albania (page 4).
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FAR EAST
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2. De Lattre's reinforcements to come from North Africa.
Implementing its decision to provide De
send two below-strength French Army divisions, totalling 13,000 men,
from North Africa to Indochina as soon as transportation is available.
These divisions will be replaced with conscripts and volunteers.
Comment: The apparent settlement of
the Moroccan crisis and the absence of sympathetic demonstrations in
Algeria and Tunisia permits the French to substitute recruits and con-
scripts for the seasoned troops now in North Africa. Army strength
in that area -- now approximately 88,000 -- is adequate to maintain
order.
Lattre with the reinforcements he requested
for Indochina, the French Government will
These reinforcements are not expected to
begin arriving in Tonkin until. 1 May, and therefore may be too late to aid
the French in countering art all-out Viet Minh offensive which is believed
to be imminent.
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3. French hoe to forestall Chinese Communist intervention in Indochina:
General ~e Lattre and the French Govern-
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ment evidently believe that, by maintaining
a non---provocative attitude toward the Chi-
nese Communists in military and informa-
tional operations, they can reduce the likelihood of ad invasion of Indo-
china. De Lattre apparently hopes that, with an improved-military
situation, he will be able to negotiate with the Chinese Communists for
the cessation of aid to the Viet Minh. As a matter of policy, the French
are playing down any reference to Chinese assistance and doubtlessly
intend to ignore the issue as long as possible.
Comment: De Lattre's estimate that the
situation in Indochina can be "normalized" by the end of 1951 is based
on the premise that Chinese Communist units will not support Viet
Minh' forces. Like the British, he is apparently willing to negotiate
with the Chinese Communists, at least until French efforts to obtain
a joint US-UK-French policy in the Far East are successful.
EASTERN EUROPE
4. Izvestia charges US with planning aggression against Albania:
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The Moscow press has, for the first time,
adopted the Satellite propaganda line con-
cerning "Operation Lightning," an alleged
plan for Western aggression against Al-
bania this spring. A 25 March Izvestia article describes "Operation
Lightning" as a US-sponsored affair involving a coordinated Turkish-
Greek offensive, supported by Tito, against Albania. The article charges
that Yugoslavia, Greece and Italy are committing border violations with
the ultimate purpose of enslaving Albania.
Comment: Heretofore, accusations regarding
Western plans for an imminent attack on Albania have emanated only
from Satellite and Free Greek sources. Albanian propaganda dealt
with the threat to Albanian territorial integrity, while the other.Satel-
lite and Free Greek radios outlined Western plans to attack the USSR,
advancing through the Balkans by means of "Operation Lightning."
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