CURRENT INTELLIGENCE DIGEST

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Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP79T01146A000800300001-1
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RIPPUB
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S
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19
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December 16, 2016
Document Release Date: 
December 22, 2004
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1
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Publication Date: 
March 27, 1952
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SUMMARY
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Approved Fo,elease 2005/01/26 : CIA-RDP79T011400800300001-1 SECRET 25X1 27 March 1952 25X1 OCI No. 5146 Copy No. 2 5 6 CURRENT INTELLIGENCE DIGEST Office of Current Intelligence CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY State Dept. review completed This summary of significant reports has been prepared primarily for the internal use of the Office of Current Intelligence., It does not represent a complete coverage of all current reports in CIA or in the Office of Current Intel) igencea Comments represent the immediate views of the Office of Current Intelligences SECRET RETURN TO ARCHIVES a RECORDS CENTER 25X1 IMMEDIATELY AI`TLA v For Release 2005/01/26 : CIA-RDP79TO1146A00080030000fi~- ` of JOB rM D-1 BOX I Approved For Fuse 2005/01/26: CIA-RDP79T01146AVW800300001-1 SECRET THIS MATERIAL CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING THE NATIONAL DEFENSE OF THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE ESPIONAGE LAWS, TITLE 18, USC, SECS. 793 AND 794, THE TRANSMISSION OR REVELATION OF WHICH IN ANY MANNER TO AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON IS PROHIBITED BY LAW. 1. Asian attendance at Moscow Economic Conference: The in- terest w is t se osco'v Economic on Terence olds for underdeveloped countries is revealed in late reports from Iran, Burma, and Indonesia. An influential Iranian delegation, which includes the son-in-law of Mossadeq and an Iranian of avowedly pro- American sympathies, reportedly Will attend the conference with the government's "blessing." A Burmese delegation composed of both extreme right- ists and fellow-travelers is on its way to Moscow. Burma's chief rice trader is a member. During a stop-over in Ran- goon a spokesman referred to the "foreign trade" mission of the delegation. The Indonesian Government rejected a suggestion to subsidize seven delegates to the conference, and the Indo- nesian participants will proceed to Moscow on an individual basis but with governmental encouragement. 2. World Peace Council Executive Committee schedules meeting in s o: The xecutive Comm ee of t e orl ease ouncil, l a major Communist international organization, plans to meet in Oslo on 30 and 31 March, The Norwegian Ministry of Justice issued visas to delegates from Iron Curtain coun- tries while the Minister was in England and without con- sulting the foreign office. The Prime Minister approved the visas. SECRET 1 27 Mar 52 Approved For Release 2005/01/26 : CIA-RDP79T01146A000800300001-1 Approved Forlease 2005/01/26 : CIA-RDP79T011400800300001-1 SECRET Now, in an apparent effort to rationalize the action, Norwegians are explaining to British officials, who oppose the meeting, that they believe the purpose of the meeting is mainly to stimulate the peace signatures campaign, which has been a fiasco in Norway, and that they see no sound reason why the visas should be rescinded since such action would be more harmful propaganda-wis that may be passed at the meeting. Comment: Contrary to the Norwegians' contention that the W resolutions are of small concern, tonecof the reasons for the meeting is probably to reamplify germ-warfare against the United States. 3. Communist women's organization devenopsocampaimncontbehalf- ze c ren: a omen s n er eration as sc eduledaConf rence for the Protection of Children for 12-16 April ountries may be represented. Comment: The aim of the Vienna meeting, as indicated by 16 ear ier national conferences on the same theme as well as by its agenda, will be to promote the Soviet "peace" the prolems as campaign rather than to consider may be child One of a Oresult t of the permanent body to propagandize for "children's rights." EASTERN EUROPE 4, Yugoslav collaboration with Western defense plans de- - ent: e t em pen en rn r.ieste set ral West Commander of the in Belgrade as a vise ene British Forces in Austria, that there is little likeli- hood of closer defense collaboration on the part of Yugo- slavia until the Trieste question ssettled. thatetheyl West are Wwas s told to inform the Italian Command that Tito will completely mistaken if they are assuming to ciate in in order participate t e concessions on Tries Western defense plans. Comment: During the recent Lisbon Conference, Premier de Gasperrl indicated that Italian acceptance of Yugoslav participation in ern Trieste prrblemndent upon a satisfactory SECRET 2 27 Mar 52 Approved For Release 2005/01/26 : CIA-RDP79T01146A000800300001-1 25X1 25X1 25X1 Approved For1ease 2005/01/26 : CIA-RDP79T0114fi0800300001-1 SECRET Yugoslav leaders contend that Yugoslavia has no desire to become involved in Western defense schemes at this time, and thus take strong exception to De Gasperi's implied threat of diplomatic blackmail. 6. Czech Foreign Minister scores United States and ali ns_ Czechoslovakia with Soviet policy on Germany: Czech Foreign Minister Siroky, in a speech characterized by the American Embassy as the most vicious attack on the United States yet made by any Czech cabinet officer, blasted the Amer- ican "war policy" and placed Czechoslovakia squarely behind the Soviet proposals for a unified Germany. Speaking on 24 March before the National Assembly during discussions of the Czechoslovak budget, Siroky said that the Soviet proposals were in full harmony with the interests of the Czech republic, but he did not mention the rearmament-pro- vision proposed by Russia. Comment: Of all the Satellites, Czechoslovakia has most loudly declared its approval of the recent Soviet de- parture in German policy. The haste with which it did so probably reflects the vulnerability inherent in its traditional strong anti-German attitude. Siroky's remarks on the German problem amplify Pres- ident Gottwald's mid-March speeches on the occasion of his East German visit. In all Czech policy speeches, the re- armament proviso of the Soviet note, which will be most di.?'icult to rationalize to the Czech people, has been ig- nored. 25X1 25X1 SECRET 3 27 Mar 52 Approved For Release 2005/01/26 : CIA-RDP79T01146A000800300001-1 Approved Forlease 2005/01/26 : CIA-RDP79T0114600800300001-1 7. New Rumanian crop collection plan announced: A decree of the uman an .ounce o finis ers on 18 March outlined quotas for compulsory deliveries of agricultural products to the state in 1952? The measure, like that of last year, still favors collective farms by reducing their quotas 25 percent during their first year of operation. Agricultural associations r a 10 will have theprercentquotraseductncreion byunot moresthano20vpercent. will ha Provisions were made for local officials to increase other quotas up to 10 percent, but they will not be able to decrease the amount of land assessed for compulsory quotas y except with the approval of the Council of Ministeostor bye justifying the changes by transferring eo le's councils or state farms. 25X1 Comment: The quota system serves the dual purpose of assuring tie Rumanian regime an increase in agricultural procurement for next year and also of weakening economically who the "kulaks" andtPvesaand collective faring ms drawn into agri- cultural coopers The peasants appear to have no right to contest their quota assignments. They must either meet their quotas or lose part of their land. Those who withhold their produce at collection time may be denounced by informers who, ac- cording to the American Legation in Bucharest, receive 25 percent of the goods confiscated from recalcitrants they have turned in. 27 Mar 52 Approved For Release 2005/01/26 : CIA-RDP79T01146A000800300001-1 25X1 Approved For Release 2005/01/26 : CIA-RDP79T01146A000800300001-1 Approved For Release 2005/01/26 : CIA-RDP79T01146A000800300001-1 Approved For Rej se 2005/01/26: CIA-RDP79T01146AON1600300001-1 SECRET New Kashmiri moves toward independence: Establishment. of Kashmir as an autonomous republic within the Indian Union was officially advocated on 24 March by the pro-Communist Finance Minister of Indian-held-Kashmir, in an address before the winter session of the Kashmiri Legislature. According to the Minister, the proposed republic would have a president, a national assembly, and a judiciary. 25X1 6 27 Mar 52 Approved For Release 2005/01/26 : C1A-RDP79T01146A000800300001-1 Approved For elease 2005/01/26 : CIA-RDP79T0114GA000800300001-1 SECRET Simultaneously, the pro-Tibetan Head Lama of Ladakh sub- mitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah demanding autonomy for his province, which lies in eastern Kashmir adjacent to Tibet. The Indian press, which reported this deve- lopment, commented that Ladakh might unite with Ti t if pro er constitutional safeguards were not assured for it. 25X1 Comment: The views expressed above are good indications that a third factor, in addition to India and Pakistan, has to be considered in studying the Kashmir situation. Two years ago Sheikh Abdullah himself was induced by the Indian Govern- ment to recant a statement of his desire for independence. Kashmiri speeches on that subject are now fairly common occur- rences, and the Kashmiris have become a political force to be reckoned with. The apparent Ladakhi dissatisfaction with the Abdullah government, together with indications of increasing Communist strength in Kashmir, raises some doubts as to even Sheikh Abdullah's ability to control his domain. Ladakhi pressure, which would have been negligible prior to the Chinese conquest of Tibet, now can be exerted with some effect. NEAR EAST - AFRICA 25X1 gation is a reputable and influential group whose reactions 13. Influential Iranian delegation to attend Moscow Economic Conference. The real en o the Iranian erc an s Association A. a i i, told the American Ambassador that he and at least five other Iranians were planning to attend the Moscow Economic Conference "with the government's blessing." The group includes Senator Matin-Daftary, Prime Minister Mossadeq's son-in-law, and the editor of a prominent pro-government newspaper. One of the group is a known Communist sympathizer and a former official in the Soviet-sponsored Azerbaijan Democratic Republic. The American Ambassador comments that in general the dele- Comment: Iranian interest in increased Soviet trade is stimu ate y the drastic reduction in essential imports imposed by the partial British embargo. The Iranian Government may also hope that Iranian representation in Moscow, although ostensibly on a private, non-governmental level, may aid in the satisfactory SECRET 7 27 Mar 52 25X1 25X1 Approved For Release 2005/01/26 : CIA-RDP79T01146A000800300001-1 Approved For elease 2005/01/26: CIA-RDP79T01t OKA000800300001-1 SECRET 25X1 conclusion of the Iraniamo~thset It ranianeSovietltrade},has have been conducted for many favorable particularly fobasis, not reign exchange. previously been baon a idly needsbarter to Iran, which SECRET 8 27 Mar 52 Approved For Release 2005/01/26 : CIA-RDP79T01146A000800300001-1 Approved Frelease 2005/01/26 : CIA-RDP79T011000800300001-1 SECRET WESTERN EUROPE Yugoslavs pleased by Italian embroilment in Trieste: The American arge in e gra e reports t at ugos av o i- ciais are "more than secretly pleased over the latest Trieste Zone A B which integrating Zone mightoservesas aa nd are further any into serve might Yugoslavian The diplomatic corps in Belgrade is generally pessi- mistic over the Trieste issue, according to the Charge. Some diplomats believe that neither Italy nor Yugoslavia desires a settlement at this time, each believing that time is on its side. Foreign representatives from smaller coun- tries consider that only the vigorous and impartial inter- vention of the big powers will achieve a settlement or at least a calmer acceptance of the status quo. Comment: Evidence that either party is willing to ne- gotiate in good faith on the basis of a compromise approach to the Trieste problem is conspicuously lacking. The Yugo- slavs apparently believe that the Italians will gain nothing but censure from the West for their present bombastic attempt to influence Allied policy toward Yugoslavia and Trieste. 16. Estimates on Europe's need of American coal drastically reduced: T e spec a aar on uropean con pro ems, com- posed of ministerial-level representatives from OEEC coun- tries, has just issued new plans which call for extraordinary production measures to achieve eventual independence of US coal. The board has set western Europe's 1953 production target at 499 million tons, or 36 million tons over 1951 pro- duction. This represents a long step forward compared to recommendations made last December by a body of OEEC coal ex- perts, which foresaw an indefinite need for American coal. According to the board's latest report, Europe will pro- bably import some 17 million tons of American coal in 1952, T. 51 I 1953 that figure 9 is to be`reduced to 13 million' ions, an^ may^r+aA as compared to 25 million tons in 1 a d be as low as 5 J1.L11iVaao -- 25X1 25X1 OEEC coal experts estimated tnat ember D I , ec n Comment: Europe wimport 28 million tons of American coal in 1952, 9 27 Mar 52 Approved For Release 2005/01/26 : CIA-RDP79T01146A000800300001-1 Approved For Phase 2005/01/26 : CIA-RDP79T0114610800300001-1 SECRET and that in 1956 the need would still be approximately the same. MSA officials felt that this report represented a "defeatist" attitude. In proposing new plans, the OEEC board probably felt that political considerations called for optimistic over- tones in its report. The new goals are not likely to be met, however, since Europe has already imported half of its scheduled quota of US coal for this year. Austrian export scheme distorts normal economic devel- opments American o c a s in Vienna are disturbed by the potential effects on Austria's economy of a recent Austrian regulation authorizing the financing of 10 percent of the country's exports as "ear-marked exchange and clearing trans- actions." Under this plan, the-high prices to be charged importers of nonessentials for foreign exchange will be used to finance foreign price reductions of high-cost Austrian exports. Although this export-promotion plan has been approved by the International Monetary Fund, US observers in Vienna doubt that the device is an effective substitute for the programming of imports to conserve foreign exchange. Rather than providing the exports necessary to finance essential imports, the arrangement in effect promotes the importation of "luxury" items. Furthermore, regardless of the benefits to particular exporters, the "subsidy" contributes. little to the solution of such basic problems as increasing pro- ductivity, reducing costs, and expanding normal trade under a single exchange rate.. Austrian trade and industry representatives, who are the primary beneficiaries, themselves recognize that the new regulation is less than ideal. It is a further example, however, of the tendency of Austrian leaders to prefer stop- gap measures to real solutions, and to favor "interests" over the public good, 25X1 10 27 Mar 52 Approved For Release 2005/01/26 : CIA-RDP79T01146A000800300001-1 Approved RQpRelease 2005/01/26 : CIA-RDP79T01t*eA000800300001-1 SECRET 25X1 19. Limited French-Soviet trade agreement signed: France has s gned a trade agreement with the USSR involving the exchange of a limited number of reportedly non-strategic items. The agreement, concluded at the end of February, provides for the exchange of Soviet pit props and anthracite for French textiles and steel of non-strategic quality. The value the trade is estimated at nearly three million dol- lars. Comment: This is the first French-Soviet trade agree- ment in Postwar period. France had originally hoped for an agreement covering about thirty-four million dol- lars worth of trade. The French are believed to be still in for a Soviet reply to their recent wheat-ship offer Investigation in Paris of Katyn massacre will be politics y hazardous: The American Em assy in Paris reports that the French Government will be confronted with "rather special" political problems when public hearings are held in Paris by the American Congressional committee investigating Soviet responsibility for the 1943 Katyn Forest massacre. The Communists will charge that this anti-Soviet activity conducted on French soil by Americans is further proof that the French Government is a "servile tool" of the United States. Non-Communist elements, such as the Gaullists, will demand an explanation of this un- usual procedure which could easily be misinterpreted. Comment: Polish witnesses have accused the Russians of massa some 10,000 Polish officers whose remains have since been found in the Katyn Forest in Poland. 11 27 Mar 52 Approved For Release 2005/01/26 : CIA-RDP79T01146A000800300001-1 Approved For R Wase 2005/01/26: CIA-RDP79T01146AW6800300001-1 SECRET French public .opinion, fanned by Communist and Gaul- list propaganda, has become increasingly critical of America's "presence" in France. 21. Dutch-British talks on.East-West trade controls at impasse According to an official o t e Netherlands n stry of Economic Affairs, the British-Dutch talks concerning physical and financial controls over East- West trade are at an impasse, and the problem probably will be referred to COCOM0 Britain still falls back on its inability to in- stitute financial controls, although the Dutch state that their investigations show that almost all shipments of strategic goods routed through Rotterdam to the Soviet Orbit are financed in Britain. The Dutch also say that British Foreign Office officials have admitted that cer- tain strategic goods purchased in Germany for shipment to Rumania via Rotterdam were licensed and financed in Britain after the Netherlands Bank had refused to handle the transactions. The Dutch official asserted that his Parliament would "scoff" at physical controls as long as Western countries finance and license shipments to the Orbit. Comment: Britain instituted physical controls over transs i.pments last November. In order to ease its bal- ance of payments difficulties and to maintain sterling as an international currency, Britain probably will not take any action to restrict the financing of East-West shipments, Consequently the Dutch are unlikely to impose physical checks over transshipments since they already have financial and licensing regulations over strategic exports, feel strongly that these controls should be exercised by the originating country, and are unwilling to take action unless joined by the other western European countries which are involved in transshipments. Spanish Cabinet approves personnel shake-up in Min- h Cabinet on 7 March istry o .reign airs: The panis approved several important personnel changes in the For- eign Ministry. The new Director-General of Foreign Policy will be Mariano de Iturralde y Orbegozo, now Consul Gen- eral at Montreal. He replaces Jose Sebastian de Erice y 12 27 Mar 52 Approved For Release 2005/01/26 : CIA-RDP79T01146A000800300001-1 Approved Fo lease 2005/01/26: CIA-RDP79T0114 00800300001-1 SECRET O'Shea, who has been named Consul General at Geneva. New Directors-General of Administration and Consular Affairs were also named. The US Embassy in Madrid believes these changes are part of a general shake-up in the Ministry which has not been completed. Comment: There have been rumors for several months that Foreign Minister Artajo will be replaced. Ambassador to Washington Lequerica and Admiral Salvador Moreno Fern- andez have been mentioned as possible successors. Erice's transfer, announced almost simultaneously with his appointment to accompany Artajo in April on a visit to the Near East, might tend to discount rumors that the Foreign Minister plans to lay the groundwork for treaties of friendship with the Arab states and negotiate for oil supplies. Franco is apparently bringing in a new team for ne- gotiations with the United States. Iturralde's former position was Director-General of Commerce and Tariff Policy. Argentine businessmen free to attend Moscow Economic Conference: According to an Argentine official broadcast, the Argentine Ambassador in Moscow told a group of journal- ists that his government is not hindering in any way the trip to Moscow by any representative of Argentine industry or commerce. He added that his country is always ready to do business with any other and cited in support of this position Argentina's trade a reements,with Hun r v and Czechoslovakia. 24. Brazilian President accepts resignations of both War Minister and Zone ommander: President tulio Vargas on 26 Marc. accepted t e resignations of both War Minister Newton Estillac Leal and General Euclides Zenobio da Costa. The announcement from the presidential press of- fice said that Vargas had named General Cyro do Espirito Santo Cardoso, his chief military aide, as the new War 25X1 Minister. 13 27 Mar 52 25X1 25X1 Approved For Release 2005/01/26 : CIA-RDP79T01146A000800300001-1 Approved Foielease 2005/01/26 : CIA-RDP79T0114UQ00800300001-1 SECRET 25X1 14 27 Mar 52 Approved For Release 2005/01/26 : CIA-RDP79T01146A000800300001-1 Approved For lease 2005/01/26: CIA-RDP79T01146000800300001-1 TOP SECRET 27 March 1952 CIA No. 49594 Copy No, 4b TOP SECRET SUPPLEMENT TO THE CURRENT INTELLIGENCE DIGEST Not for dissemination outside O/CI and O/NE. Office of Current Intelligence CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY This summary of significant reports has been prepared primarily for the internal use of the Office of Current Intelligence. It does not represent a complete coverage of all current reports in CIA or in the Office of Current Intelligence. Comments represent the immediate views of the Office of Current Intelligence, TOP SECRET Approved For Release 2005/01/26 - 146A000800300001-1 25X1 25X1 Approved FQRelease 2005/01/26 : CIA-RDP79T011 000800300001-1 TOP SECRET THIS MATERIAL CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING THE NATIONAL DEFENSE OF THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE ESPIONAGE LAWS, TITLE 18, USC, SECS. 793 AND 794, THE TRANSMISSION OR REVELATION OF WHICH IN ANY MANNER TO AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON IS PROHIBITED BY LAW. FAR EAST Commonwealth forces decide to retain Tokyo facilities: The Uo ltlcac~vzser i-'n Z~TYo repots tfia rites Common wealth Occupation Forces (BCOF) have decided cidedcnoVe to date ac of the their facilities in Tokyo following the peace treaty and not to pay rental for a 90-day period after. The Political Adviser sofhthetAdministrative coupled with the general unpopularity Agreement and intense Japanese feeling against the Australians, bflreAAmerican could have unfortunate repercussions mpost-treaty security arrangements in Japan. e Japanese tfhorUnist- that the BCOF negotiate separately with ththe US e Nations ait fCommand.from these ,highhandedtetactics. Comment: Since the British Commonwealth forces are part of the ccupat1on Forces, the peace treaty requires their withdrawal within 90 days after the treaty comes into effect. The Commonwealth countries, however,-had expected the Japanese to continue to furnish facilities gratis for their forces for the duration of the Korean war. The Japanese are strongly opposed to the presence of British Commonwealth troops in Japan in the post-treaty period for other than rest and recreation purposes. NEAR EAST-AFRICA 2. Egyptian cabinet will not contest elections unless agree- ment wit retain reacie :: lane Minister i a is ca inet has'-de--c-1-6e thaw, in ie absence of an agreement with Britain, it will not contest the 18 May Egyptian elections and will resign immediately thereafter. The Egyptian Foreign Minister TOP SECRET 27 Mar 52 25X1 Approved For Release 2005/01/26 : CIA-RDP79T01146A000800300001-1 V I Approved 7 Release 2005/01/26: CIA-RDP79T01`'I A000800300001-1 TOP SECRET has stated, however, that in the event of an agreement, Hilali will stay in the Alentions and attempt to secure popular approval. 25X1 Comment: There have been conflicting reports on the intenEons of the Hilali cabinet in the event the Anglo- Egyptian negotiations should fail. The weight of the evi- dence suggests that the government will resign in this eventu- ality and let the Wafd return to power, although British of- ficials believe that this apparent readiness to resign may be a form of blackmail. 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