CURRENT INTELLIGENCE DIGEST

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T01146A000900200001-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 17
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 22, 2002
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: April 28, 1952
• Content Type: SUMMARY

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SECRET
SECURITY INFORMATION
US OFFICIALS ONLY
28 April 1952
OCI No. 5168
Copy No. 266
CURRENT INTELLIGENCE DIGEST
Office of Current Intelligence
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
This digest of significant reports has been prepared primarily
for the internal use of the Central Intelligence Agency. It does
not represent a complete coverage of all current reports re-
ceived. Comments represent the immediate views of the Office
of Current Intelligence.
*Army and State Dept. reviews
completed*
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SECURITY INFORMATION
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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.
GENERAL
Hungary fail to participate in Milan interna-
tional- trade iii The U SR has decline to partic pa e n the
annua ~n ernational trade fair now in progress in Milan, where
45 nations are represented. Czechoslovakia and Poland are'the
only Satellites participating. Although Hungary applied for
display space, it failed to present an exhibit. ilan 154,
24 Apr 52; R Milan Desp 277, 25 Mar 52; R FBIS 7 Apr 52)
Comment: The Soviet refusal to take part in the fair is
in shar car ccontrast to propaganda at the recent Moscow Economic
Conference in favor of increased East-West trade. The USSR may
fear a repetition of last year's fiasco, when only its vodka
exhibit found favor with the Italians.
Hungary's non-attendance may result from its desire to
conserve hard currency which would have to be expended at the
exhibit for rentals. Czechoslovakia's presence may possibly
be explained by Italian interest in quality goods; Poland's by
its anxiety to sell coal in exchange for strategic goods from
the West.
2, Preparatory meeting to be held in Peiping for peace con-
ference: The All-India Peace Gounci in Bom ay announced that
a preparatory meeting would be held in Peiping on 2$ May to
plan an Asian and Pacific rAgion peace conference"to be held
in Peiping sometime this year. (U New Delhi 3891, 23 Apr 52)
SOVIET UNION
3a. Austrian officials expect new Soviet move: As a result
of a curious conversation wit ov 6t ritical Representative
Kudryavtsev, Austrian Foreign Minister Gruber has the impress-
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ion that the Soviet officials in Austria are planning some
kind of move and are awaiting final instructions from Moscow.
At the same time, Austrian Minister of Interior Helmer
reports that there is considerable commotion and excitement
in the Soviet garrisons which may be connected with the con-
troversy between Austrian and Soviet officials on a Russian
request for additional telephone line service.
The US Embassy suggests caution in an interpretation of-the
foregoing information, as Gruber and Helmer are both inclined
to read military significance into Soviet moves. (S Vienna
3374, 24 Apr 52)
4. Intourist restricts ticket sales to foreigners-. An Ameri-
can Em assy o icier in Moscow attempting to arrange a trip to
Stavropol was informed that no tickets were available and that
henceforth Intourist will sell tickets only to points in the
USSR where it has representatives. (C Moscow 1737, 24 Apr 52)
Comment-. Although this excuse for prohibiting travel to
unres rte ecf' zones has been occasionally encountered by foreign-
ers in the past, it is possible that Soviet officials may now
choose to utilize it extensively as it affords them legalistic
sanction to reduce progressively the travel of foreigners in
officially open areas. The mere statement of the absence of an
Intourist representative at the desired destination point is a
much simpler control system than the clumsy and devious methods
usually employed.
EASTERN EUROPE
5. Albania receives technical aid from Bulgaria-. The Albanian=
Bulgarian trade agreemen, w ich was signed in Sofia on 1 April,
emphasized technical collaboration between the two countries by
expediting the engagement of 50 Bulgarian textile and construc-
tion engineers to work in Albania. According to the French Em-
bassy in Athens, which provided this information, they are to rem
,ceive half their basic pay in Bulgarian currency deductible from
the joint clearing account. Rumors that ,,sizable Bulgarian mili-
tary mission is on the way to Tirana are unconfirmed. (S Athens
4606, 24 Apr 52)
Comment-. The Albanian News Bulletin in Rome published a
report In February that Bulgarians anthers were going soon
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to Albania to replace the Russian mission. Czechoslovak,
Hungarian, Rumanian and Bulgarian technicians have been em-
ployed in small numbers in Albania for at least two years.
However, there is as yet no firm indication that the Russian
mission has been measurably reduced.
6. Bulgaria to construct first metallurgical plant for
ferrous meta s: ccor ing o a decree issue join y y the
a.nis-er a Council and the Central Committee of the Bulgarian
Communist Party, Bulgaria's first state-owned metallurgical
plant for ferrous metals will be constructed during 1952-530
The plant, which is scheduled to be completed by the summer of
1955, will be located in the Sofia area. The construction of
the plant is considered to be "a task of first importance both
to the party and to the nation," and will require for its ful-
fillment a "full mobilization of effort on the part of the
workers, engineers, and technicians of Bulgaria." (R FBIS
24 Apr 52)
Comment,, The creation of a metallurgical industry is a
part o ie-Five=Year Plan, which, according to Bulgarian an-
nouncements, will be fulfilled by the end of 1952. Bulgarian
supplies of raw materials, except for metallurgical coking
coal, are probably sufficient to support a small steel industry.
Although the Bulgarian Ministries of Heavy Industry and Con-
struction failed to fulfill their plans for capital construction
during 1951, heavy publicity given to the "labor heroism and
unheard of speed" manifested by workers engaged in the construc-
tion of the Dimitrovgrad power and chemical complex served
effectively to overshadow serious failures registered in other
sectors of the economy. The unusual emphasis given to this new
project suggests that it might serve a similar propaganda func-
tion during 1952. For this purpose, it is possible that the
metallurgical plant, like the Dimitrovgrad project, might be
hurried to completion well ahead of schedule.
7. Rumanians release convicted Italian priest: The American
Legation n uchaiest bias been in ormed tithe Italian Minister
there that the Rumanian Government on 14 April released Father
Clemente Gatti without ransom. He is now in Vienna undergoing
medical treatment before proceeding to Romeo
The Legation suggests that the priest's release is a good
will gesture on the eve of the arrival in Rome of a new Rumanian
,Minister, but it may also be due to Gatti's poor healtha'(C
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Bucharest 401, 17 Apr 52)
Comment. Father Gatti was sentenced to 15 years' impris-
onmen or "espionage" following a public trial in Bucharest in
September 1951. At the same time, Eraldo Pintori, an employee
of the Italian Legation in Bucharest, was sentenced to life
imprisonment. The Italian Government is still negotiating for
Pintori's release and has allowed shipment of a strategic grin-
der to Rumania to further the negotiations.
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FAR EAST
25X6
Vehicle sightings
approach record high:
The Far ast omman reports a enemy vehicle s g nags
in North Korea during the week 19 - 25 April totaled 24,142,
double that of the preceding period and the second highest
weekly total on record. Southbound traffic comprised 59
percent of the sightings, a relatively low figure, although
an increase over the previous week. Sixty-one percent of
the sightings were south of the 39th parallel, which is above
recent averages.
Communist traffic reached a new weekly high on the road
between Pyongyang and Sariwon in western Korea, and heavy
traffic was noted on the route from Wonsan to Chorwon in the
east and central sector. (S CINCFE Telecon 5776, 26 Apr 52)
Comment: The enemy has maintained a consistently high
level of supply movement throughout the cease-fire talks,
resulting in a greatly improved position in supplies and
personnel.
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10 25X1C American POWs reported in Chekiang.
25X1 C
ffierlcan s are-di`e-I`d9` n Chekiang
Province. 25X1A
Comment,. Hundreds of the several thousand American
troops camp cared in Korea havereportedly been moved to camps
in Manchuria and China proper for further interrogation and
indoctrination, possibly with a view to propaganda exploita-
tion of disaffected persons.
There is no reliable information on the location of the
camps or the current activities of the prisoners.
11, Chang Ching-wu?s reported visit appears doubtful: The
US Em ass, n ew ehiT cannot con rm reports ffat eneral
Chang Ching?wu, senior Chinese representative in Tibet, is
en route to India to discuss economic and political questions
involving China, India and Tibet, The Indian Ministry of
External Affairs says that it has received no application
for a visa for General Chang, and that the.matter of his
visit has not been broached by Chinese officials in any way.
(S New Delhi 3933, 25 Apr 52)
Comment: As General Chang would be unlikely to appear
in New 9e`T1 without making previous arrangements with
Indian officials, the Ministry's statement casts doubt upon
a 17 April. report of Chang's expected arrival, which later
appeared in the Indian press, A discussion of Tibetan
problems between top-level Indian and Chinese representa-
tives, however, may be arranged at any time.
NEAR EAST - AFRICA
12, Iranian Under Secretary of Finance pessimistic over
Iran's nano a u care =m~~iss~ omen erson In e ran
reports Tfiai ifie fi er Secretary of Finance appears to have
no idea how his government can solve its financial problems.
Discussing the situation with the Ambassador on 23 April,
the Under Secretary stated that the government's current
plans for reducing expenditures and gaining new revenues
were "utterly inadequate." He said that the Majlis would
never approve the government's plan for expanding the note
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issue and asked the Ambassador "what are your plans for helping
us?" (C Tehran 4074, 24 Apr 52)
Comment: Although Mossadeq has not directly asked for
American f ancial assistance since his February request was
refused, his ministers have often spoken to the American
Embassy about Iran's desperate financial situations
Iranian officials have tried particularly to stimulate
aid by arousing United States concern over possible Soviet
control of Iran. The Under Secretary's question is another
illustration of the widespread Iranian feeling that the
United States will eventually give them financial aid.
25X1
13, Egypt may take Suez dispute to UN.
r me Min s er Hilall Pasha may ate the
Anglo-Egyptian dispute to the United Nations if he decides
that "negotiations with the British are fruitless."
25X1A1 .1
Comment. In 1947, Egypt tried without success to obtain
a Secur y ouncil decision against Britain. Any new attempt
by the Egyptian Government to obtain a UN solution of the
dispute would probably be made in the General Assembly,
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Vowe
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WESTERN EUROPE
25X6
25X6
15. Prospects for French ratification ofusEDCoseen im9rtvingmerica.n
On tie-81s o an extensive inqu ry
Embassy in Paris reports that the French N tionalthesEur.peen
taking a somewhat more favorable
Defense Community, in particular because of the Soviet Union?s
advocacy of a new German Army.
A crucial remaining issue is the hoped-for assurances from the United States and Britain against a break-up of of the
Opponents com-
munity because of the withdrawal of any member. the community find their best campaign issue in the popular con-
fusion over the nature and extent of the expected American and
British commitments.
While Socialist leader Guy Mollet can now be expected to
defend the treaty, although without enthusiasm9at his party9s
congress opening 22 May, the question remains whether enough
deputies will consider that the US and British assurances are
sufficient. (C Paris 65659 25 Apr 52)
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25X
Comment- The French Government obtained a scant vote of
ccnfidehce in February on the European Defense Community plan,
with reservations designed to placate the Socialists. The vote
by
was obtained on the strength of a promise
declarations
Schuman that he would seek not only
and British Governments but also "legal and political commit-
ments" from the parliaments of those countries.
LATIN AMERICA
Chilean cop er workers at two large mines on strike- The
workers at n.acoan a s mportant huquicamata an Potrer llos
copper mines in Chile went out'on strike after approving the
action of the Confederation of Copper Workers (CTC) in wage
negotiations.
The president of the CTC admitted that he did not plead
too strongly for arbitration by President Gonzalez Videla0 He
feels that the strike will strengthen his bargaining position
and consolidate his control of the workers. Negotiations are
at a standstill. (C Santiago.559, 26 Apr 52)
`Comment- The results of last June?s copper strike provide
a measure r estimating the effect of the current strike. Each
week's stoppage caused a production loss of about 3,319 metric
tons of bar copper at Chuquicamata, and 651 metric tons at
Potrerillosa
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18. WFTU undertakes organization of food industry workers in
Latin aver ca-. x? gionai con erence of Latin American wor ers
planned in 1952 by the International Union of Workers in the
Food, Tobacco, and Beverage Industries and Hotel, Cafe, and
Restaurant Workers,
25X1 C
In preparation for the conference, the International Union
will study working conditions in the various food industries of
Cuba, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Mexico, and Guatemala. At a
meeting of the Executive Bureau of the International Union,
scheduled for Warsaw in July, an Administrative Committee member
will be designated to visit Latin America to draw up a budget for
the conference, to set a place and a date for it, and to make
other preparations.
Comment-. The WFTU, of which the International Union is an
agency, sponsored Latin American regional conferences of farm
workers and of transportation workers in 1951. The currently
planned conference of workers is part of the WFTU's long-term
plan to extend its influence through the formation of regional
branches of its component trade unions.
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TOP SECRET
SECURITY INFORMATION
US OFFICIALS ONLY
TOP SECRET SUPPLEMENT
28 April 1952
CIA No. 49626
Copy No. 46
TO THE CURRENT INTELLIGENCE DIGEST
(including S/S Cables)
Not for dissemination outside O/CI and O/NE.
Office of Current Intelligence
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
This digest 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
SECURITY INFORMATION
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TOP SECRET
THIS MATERIAL CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING THE NATIONAL
DEFENSE OF THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE
ESPIONAGE LAWS, TITLE 18, USC, SECSO 793 AND 794, THE
TRANSMISSION OR REVELATION OF WHICH IN ANY MANNER TO AN
UNAUTHORIZED PERSON IS PROHIBITED BY LAW.
FAR EAST
25X6
25X1
d M ccio says that Yi has filled several posts
Rhee defies ROK National Assembly by appointing:actiag
Prime in s ero ccor lug to the Embassy in san, esi-
6nheee announced on 25 April that he had appointed Yi Yon-
yong as acting Prime Minister. This "surprise announcement"
followed Rhee?s 24 April statement that, in deference to the
National Assembly's desire to fill the Prime Ministership
promptly, he had nominated Chang Taek-sang to be permanent
Prime Minister.
Ambassa or u
in and has been twice rejected
for the Prime Ministersnip a legislature He notes that
the reasons for Yies appointment have given rise to new specu-
lation about Rhee's motives. (S S/S Pusan 1038, 25 Apr 52)
Comment: The South Korean legislature on 19 April passed
a spec a resolution to deter Rhee from appointing an acting
Prime Minister, whose appointment, unlike a permanent one, is
AOt subject to Assembly concurrence. This latest action by
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Rhee will irritate the already strained relations between him
and the Assembly.
3> India will need extensive external assistance in 1952-53:
Ambassador owl.es repor t at n a s nee for external as-
sistance during the coming fiscal year will be between 260
and 285 million dollars, and that all but about 25 million
must come from the United States.
He states that the present Indian Government is unlikely
to survive if it fails to meet the goals of its current five-
year plan, adding that no one in New Delhi believes these goals
can be met without foreign aid. (C S/S New Delhi 3921, 24 Apr
52)
Comment: The above figures emphasize again the magnitude
of thefacing the Indian Government in achieving economic
stability. They also suggest that last year's 190 million
dollar loan to India for the purchase of wheat was merely the
first of a series of similar requests to be expected in the
future.
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5. Drees believes French and German ratification of'EDC
aouRz tc ime n s ter Drees is no ope uI
that rance an Germany will ratify the European Defense
Community treaty. He states, however, that once the treaty
is signed, the Dutch Parliament will ratify it.
Drees does not feel that the outstanding issues in the
Defense Community conference will cause any difficulties. He
believes, however, that a deadline around 20 May for the sign-
ing of the treaty is the earliest that can be met. (S S/S The
Hague 1126, 22 Apr 52)
Comment: The problems still facing the conference in-
clude renc pressure for firm American assurance against
German secession from the organization, Britain's relationship
to the community, the organization of the European Defense
Forces, and the size and cost of the German military contribu-
tion.
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