CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00975A026100020001-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 4, 2003
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: January 29, 1974
• Content Type: REPORT

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Central Intelligence Bulletin
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January 29, 1974
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January 29, 1974
Central Intelligence Bulletin
SAUDI ARABIA - FRANCE: Foreign Minister Jobert did
not conclude any specific agreements during his
visit. (Page 1)
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EGYPT: Poor health of six political detainees pri-
mary reason for their amnesty. (Page 5)
INDONESIA: President Suharto dismisses national
security command head. (Page 6)
BOLIVIA: President Banzer imposes modified martial
law in response to alleged threat of international
subversion. (Pace 7)
FOR THE RECORD: (Page 8)
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SAUDI ARABIA - FRANCE : French Foreign Minister
Joberrt i not cone ude any specific agreements during
his visit to Saudi Arabia, French and Saudi officials
told the US Embassy in Jidda. According to these
sources, the talks were confined to generalities.
A member of the French delegation described the
atmosphere of the talks as "somewhat cool."
At a press conference on January 26, Jobert
said his visit was aimed at laying a foundation for
long-term cooperation for economic development and
denied that the purpose was to conclude an oil deal,
although he added that oil and other agreements would
come later. He referred to the possibility of re-
turning to Saudi Arabia within six months accompanied
by other officials and businessmen.
In toasting Jobert at a formal dinner on January
24, Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Omar
Saqqaf made the point that any improvement in the
already good relations between France and Saudi Arabia
would not be made at the expense of Saudi. Arabia's
traditional friendships. Saggaf's cautionary remarks
have not vet been reported in the Saudi or the French
media.
Jan 29, 1974
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EGYPT: The amnesty granted six Egyptian polit-
ical prisoners last weekend has been attributed by
the Egyptian press to their poor health, but President
Sadat can gain political mileage from the move by
pointing to it as a sign of liberalization in his
regime.
Five of the six are Nasir-era prisoners. Mustafa
Amin, a popular and still respected journalist, was
arrested in 1965 on charges of espionage. Two others
were imprisoned in late 1967 for participation in a
coup attempt against Nasir. Two other prisoners were
senior air force officers sentenced in :L968 for re-
sponsibility for Egypt?s defeat in June 1967. Only
Muhammad Fawzi, war minister until his arrest in may
1971, was imprisoned by the Sadat regime. Fawzi was
allied with a group of powerful politicians, includ-
ing then vice-president Ali Sabri. The politicians,
whom Sadat viewed as rivals, were jailed on charges
of participating in a "conspiracy" against him.
All of the men have health problems. Most of
the others arrested with them remain in prison, in-
cluding Ali Sabri and the more powerful of those im-
plicated with Fawzi in the conspiracy of May 1971.
The amnesty will be viewed with favor by many
Egyptians. Mustafa Amin still has a following in
press circles and the military should look with favor
on. the release of the two officers who were scape-
goats for the defeat in 1967.
Jan 29, 1974 Central Intelligence Bulletin
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CINDONESIA: President Suharto yesterday, as par
of a broader government. shake-up, announced the dis-
missal of General. S'umi.tro as head of the national,
security command. In an apparent effort to balance
this action politically, Suharto also abolished the
post of personal aide to the president, a position
that. has been held by General All Murtopo, Sumitr?o's
pr.incipal, rival.
Rather than abolish the national security com-
mand as planned, Suharto has now decided instead to
assume Sumitro's place. Sumitro had used the security
organization to influence the course of many non-
security aspects of national policy, and his ouster
is an obvious move to circumscribe his political
strength.
Sumitro retains his post as deputy commander in
chief of the armed forces, and therefore remains an
important figure. On balance, It appears that Sumitro
ho may well keep
has lost more power than Murtopo, who_
his role as a close adviser of Suharto without the
formal title.
Jan 29, 1974
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CBOLIVIA: President Banzer claimed last night
that his nation is threatened by an international
subversive plot and imposed a modified form of mar-
tial law.
Farmworkers are blockading roads near the ag-
ricultural center of Cochabamba, disrupting the flow
of produce to food-short urban markets and mining
areas. An earlier rash of strikes by urban workers
protesting price increases has tapered off.
Troop reinforcements have been sent to Cocha-
bamba, but the government apparently does not plan
immediately to use force to open the roads. The re-
gime reportedly is convinced that disgruntled mili-
tary officers and exiled political dissidents bent
on overthrowing Banzer are behind peasant protests.
It has begun arresting those allegedly involved in
the plot.
Jan 29, 1974
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China - South Vietnam: Peking announced today
that it wit re ease n batches" 48 South Vietnamese
and the one American captured during the recent fight-
ing in the Paracel Islands. An initial group con-
sisting of Gerald Kosh, whom the Chinese say is suf-
fering from hepititis, and five wounded South Viet-
namese will be turned, over to Red Cross officials at
the Hong Kong border on January 31. South Vietnam
claims "at least 67" men missing.
Warsaw Pact - Romania: The Bulgarian news
agency announced yesterday that the Warsaw Pact de-
fense ministers committee will meet in Bucharest in
early February. The last such meeting was held in
Warsaw in February 1973. On the basis of alphabetic
rotation, it is Romania's turn to play host. Soviet
Marshal I. I. Yakubovsky, commander in chief of the
Pact's joint forces, was in Bucharest last week to
make arrangements for the conference.
*These items were prepared by CIA without consultation
with the Departments of State and Defense.
Jan 29, 1974 Central Intelligence Bulletin
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