CURRENT INTELLIGENCE DIGEST

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T01146A001200160001-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 13
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 5, 2001
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: August 29, 1952
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Re, se 2001/09/06: CIA-RDP79T01146AOJN200160001-2
SECRET
SECURITY INFORMATION
US OFFICIALS ONLY
29 August 1952
OCI No. 8864
Copy NO.
CURRENT INTELLIGENCE DIGEST
DIA, DOS Declassification/Release Instructions on File
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.
SECRET
SECURITY INFORMATION
Approved For Release 2001/09/06 : CIA-RDP79TO1 146AO01 200160001-2
 Approved For Rele 2001/09/06: CIA-RDP79T01146A0f0160001-2
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. Belgrade and Rome publicize Albanian resistance activities:
Yugoslav press and radio reports of resistance activity in ania
have been increasing in number and length during August. During
July, Belgrade began to broadcast frequent reports of the Hoxha
regime's terrorist acts against the Albanian people. In August,
references to the situation there became more frequent and shifted
the emphasis to increasing and violent resistance. These reports
allegedly come from Albanian refugees, who are described as flee-
ing to Yugoslavia in growing numbers.
The Rome radio, during August, also has made more frequent
references to fighting between Hoxha's forces and resistance ele-
ments. These reports apparently came through Albanian exiles in
Italy. S Rome, MAR-2480, 26
Aug; R FBIS, June, July, Aug 52)
Comment: The changing volume and nature of Yugoslav reports
seem to reflect Yugoslav motives rather than an actual and sudden
change in the nature of Albanian resistance. It is possible that
the reports from Italy were planted by the Yugoslavs. Recent re-
ports from other sources, however, indicate that a revolt or coup
against the regime has become increasingly likely.
2. Czech agricultural workers required to register: Czech
agricultural workers were required to register e.ore their local
National Committees on 10 August. Separate registers were set
up for the socialized and the private sectors. Private farmers
were classified according to the amount of land owned. (S
Prague Weeka 33, 15 Aug 52)
Comment: This registration of agricultural workers coin-
cides wit he sharply increased pressure on collectivization
noted since the beginning of the harvest. By means of the regis-
ter the government will be able to weed out kulaks more effective-
1 29 Aug 52
Approved For Release 2001/09/06 : CIA-RDP79TO1 146AO01 200160001-2
 Approved For l ase 2001/09/06 : CIA-RDP79T01146 1200160001-2
SECRET
ly and to use fear of further repressive measures to force the re-
maining independent farmers to join cooperatives.
3. Last two newspapers of Hungarian Smallholders Party suspend
publication: The last two Hungarian newspapers which a een
connected. with the Smallholders Party suspended publication this
month, according to the US Legation in Budapest. One of them,
the Kis Ujsag, was formerly the leading Smallholders Party daily,
while the second was a weekly once associated with the party. (R
Budapest 188, 27 Aug 52)
Comment: The suspension of these newspapers is another step
in the a o ition of the last remnants of the facade of a coalition
government and party in Hungary. The last important newspaper
with a Socialist background disappeared in April.
Meanwhile, the official Communist Party publication Szabad
Nep,has come out as a daily paper in full-size Pravda-lik-e -f rmat.
4. Rumanian youth leader relieved: The eighth plenary session
of the Central Committee o the Rumanian Union of Working Youth
relieved Gheorghe Florescu from his position as FirQt Secretary
on 22 August. Since he had "received other duties," he was re-
placed by Vasile Musat. Another secretary, Florea Chitzu, was
elected at the same meeting. (R FBIS 27 Aug 52)
Comment: Florescu, now 43, was top leader of Rumanian youth
organization s even before their amalgamation into the Union of
Working Youth in March 1949. In January 1950 he was also elected
to the Organizational Bureau of the Rumanian Workers' Party.
Since he weathexedthe recent purge, when three other secretaries
of the youth organization were ousted, and retained his seat on'
the Orgburo, it is likely that he is now devoting full time to
duties with the Rumanian Workers' Party.
Musat and Chitzu have been members of the Central Committee
of the Union of Working Youth since 1949. Musat, also an active
"Peace Partisan," was elected Secretary on 19 June 1952 when the
three secretaries were purged. He was spokesman for "the young
builders of the Ovidiu II power plant" on 18 August when it was
put into operation.
25X1A
2 29 Aug 52
Approved For Release 2001/09/06 : CIA-RDP79TO1 146AO01 200160001-2
 25X6 Approved For Release 2001/09/06 : CIA-RDP79T01146AO01200160001-2
Approved For Release 2001/09/06 : CIA-RDP79T01146AO01200160001-2
 25X1A troops.
25X1A
25X1X
Comment:
this information should be regarded "with
The Chinese Communist military position in Korea is not,
as the source claims, sufficiently precarious to necessitate
dispatching a mission to Moscow. In any case, Sino-Soviet
negotiations relating to the Korean conflict have been con-
ducted covertly. In contrast, the publicity given the
Chinese delegation on arrival suggests that the talks are
concerned with long-range Soviet aid which can be publicized
as a Soviet contribution to "peaceful construction."
9. Cargoes accumulating in Chinese warehouses:
report tnat .large accumulations or cargoes are choking
Tientsin's storage facilities.
asserts that the Council instigated the current Sino-Soviet
talks in Moscow in order to solve "pressing military problems."
These include the "hopeless" military situation in Korea,
"tremendous" casualties, and the "apathetic attitude" of the
Approved For Iase 2001/09/06 : CIA-RDP79T01146AQ81200160001-2
Military problems in Korea alleged responsible for Moscow
25X1X talks:
4 29 Aug 52
Approved For Release 2001/09/06 : CIA-RDP79TO1 146AO01 200160001-2
 Approved For Please 2001/09/06 : CIA-RDP79T01146AG01200160001-2
SECRET
While trade inactivity during the anti-vices campaign
may be responsible for part of this accumulation of goods,
the American Consul General in Hong Kong believes that the
shortage of transport space is a contributing factor. The
mission of one of the travelers in Hong Kong is to charter
ships on behalf of the Polish, Czech, and Hungarian trade
missions in North China. (S Hong Kong 462, Joint Weeka 34,
22 Aug 52)
Comment: Sufficient Communist-flag shipping has not
been ava a le to move all the cargoes earmarked by the
Chinese for the trade with East Europe, and the charter of
Western-flag, ships is necessary. The trade with East Europe
has increased spectacularly over the past two years, with the
flow of goods each way now running at possibly twenty times
the rate in 1950.
10. Dusting sulphur apparently available for Ceylon rubber
trees despite American embargo: Ceylon Planters Assoc a ion
official stated on 25 ugus at "vast amounts" of sulphur
apparently are available. Some planters have already placed
orders in spite of high prices and the American embargo. The
Ceylonese Minister of Agriculture, who recently proposed
mandatory dusting of all rubber trees, estimated requirements
at 6,000 tons for an over-all dusting job.
Italy is permitting export of 2,000 tons of sulphur to
Ceylon, but will stop further shipments. France recently
allowed shipment of 48 tons after assurances it would be
blocked. The French Foreign Office on 25 August reassured
American authorities that further shipments would be stopped.
Several hundred tons of Canadian sulphur is being shipped
to Ceylon, but the State Department has received embargo as-
surances for the future. (S Rome 854, 27 Aug; C Paris 1187,
25 Aug; C Colombo 84, 25 Aug; C Colombo 70, 15 Aug 52)
Comment: There are indications that dusting sulphur
is getting rough to Ceylon in sufficient quantities to
threaten the effectiveness of the American embargo, which
is designed to discourage, Ceylon rubber shipments to Commu-
nist China. The willingness of planters to pay premium
prices for dusting sulphur and the proposal of the Minister
5 29 Aug 52
Approved For Release 2001/09/06 : CIA-RDP79TO1 146AO01 200160001-2
 Approved For FiWease 2001/09/06: CIA-RDP79T01146AW1200160001-2
of Agriculture for mandatory dusting suggest that the rubber
trees are in immediate need of sulphur treatment and that the
rubber industry may be severely damaged if dusting is delayed.
NEAR EAST - AFRICA
11. Turkish Confederation of Labor to hold first meeting:
The Turkish Confederation of Labor is scheduled to mee at
Izmir on 6 September. Irving Brown of the American Federation
of Labor reportedly will attend. (C Ankara TOMUS 129, 20
Aug 52 )
Comment: Turkish unions and membership have more than
doubled under the present Democratic Party regime. This
first meeting on a national level represents a significant
step in the growth of Turkish trade unionism.
12. Britain less fearful of extremist influence in Egypt:
The British Foreign Office, despite its earlier fears, now
considers it unlikely that the extremist Moslem Brotherhood
and the left wing of the Wafd Party in Egypt will reach an
understanding. The British also seem more doubtful that the
Brotherhood intends to transform itself into a political
party.
The Foreign Office believes nevertheless that the
Egyptian situation, although quiet for the moment, is likely
to remain unstable until General Nagib's relations with his
subordinates and with the politicians are more clearly
defined. (S London 1125, 27 Aug 52)
Comment: Two weeks ago the British Government seized
upon increasing evidence of the Nagib regime's stability to
announce the release to Egypt of certain military equipment,
not, however, including arms.
Indications are that the Nagib clique has some ties
with the Moslem Brotherhood, but that relations between the
army and the Wafd are not good.-
6 29 Aug 52
Approved For Release 2001/09/06 : CIA-RDP79T01146A001200160001-2
 Approved For'Rpiease 2001/09/06 : CIA-RDP79TO1146AX1200160001-2
13. South African High Court of Parliament rules against
the mixed-breed voters: The South rican High Court ~ o
P`ar aitaen-F on27 AUg-ust reversed an Appellate Court ruling
on the Separate Representation of Voters Act. The High
Court accepted the report of its Judicial Committee affirming
that parliament alone is competent to decide the procedure to
be followed for enactment of any law. (C Pretoria 53, 28
Aug 52)
Comment: By establishing a High Court of Parliament,
the government is challenging the judicial system of South
Africa and making parliament the judge of its own acts. If
the government is able to change the mixed-breed voters'
electoral roll by a bare majority vote instead of the
previously required two-thirds parliamentary majority, the
opposition may be deprived of several crucial seats. The
opposition also fears that this overriding of the constitu-
tional provisions may endanger the status of the English
language, which is similarly protected. The validity of
the High Court act itself is currently being tested by the
Supreme Court.
SECRET
7 29 Aug 52
Approved For Release 2001/09/06 : CIA-RDP79TO1 146AO01 200160001-2
 Approved Foriease 2001/09/06 : CIA-RDP79T0114A01200160001-2
SECRET
WESTERN EUROPE
25X1 C
14. Revival of carbonyl iron production reported planned for
East rmany: A EUCOM Intelligence Report states that the East
Germans are constructing a plant for the production of carbonyl
iron powder at the Chemiewerk in Leuna. If services of two West
German carbonyl iron powder experts are secured roduction is
expected to begin late this year.
. Comment: Carbonyl iron powder is the major component of a
radar-absor ent coating for submarines. It is used as core
material in high-frequency transformers for electronic equipment,
and also as a substitute for tetraethyl lead in the treatment of
gasoline.
About 200 tons of carbonyl iron powder were produced
monthly after the outbreak of the last war at a plant at
Doeberitz/Gapel, between Brandenburg and Rathenow. This plant
was dismantled in 1945 and all equipment and technical data were
shipped to Russia.
The current effort to revive manufacture of this material in
East Germany may indicate that the equipment removed from
Doeberitz/Gapel has become unserviceable, that the Russians lack
the know-how to put or maintain the plant in operation, or that
output from this plant is insufficient to satisfy Orbit require-
ments.
SECRET
. 8 29 Aug 52
Approved For Release 2001/09/06 : CIA-RDP79TO1 146AO01 200160001-2
 Approved For l9 1ease 2001/09/06 : CIA-RDP79T01146*M1200160001-2
SECRET
16. NATO plans threatened by limitations on US Air Force in
France: e N TO build-up will be seriously affected the
FrencFi Government persists in enforcing the present 21,000-ran
ceiling for the US Air Force in France, according to the American
Embassy in Paris. The Foreign Ministry has just informed the
Embassy that the government plans to maintain current restrictions
until the United States Senate ratifies the French-American
status-of-forces agreement.
Since NATO plans call for 40,000 men of the US Air Force in
France by spring, a Foreign Ministry representative has agreed
to seek a relaxation of his, government's stand. This change in
position would be based on an exchange of notes with the United
States designed to meet possible criticism in the National As-
sembly. (S Paris 1240, 27 Aug 52)
Comment: While the French Government's concern over this
matter seems based in part on domestic political considerations,
its current evasiveness on the whole question of the air-base
agreement suggests that it hopes to bargain wherever possible for
additional American financial assistance.
17, Paris Embassy comments on French-American difficulties:
The Amer can massy in Paris states t at among t e pro ems
which it sees as seriously complicating French-American cooper-
ation, the most important concern the French 1953 defense effort,
particularly in its financial aspects.
Other issues noted by the Embassy as causing difficulty
include such matters as port charges, procedural delays en-
countered in obtaining land, taxation of US military personnel
in France, and opposition to the establishment of short-range
radio relay stations. (S Paris 1200, 25 Aug 52)
Comment: Early in August the American Embassy reported that
Frencmer can relations were entering a difficult period because
of differences over armament production financing. The trouble
has arisen from the French Government's imprudence in program-
ming and from the prolonged misunderstandings and misrepresen-
tations about the nature of American assistance.
9 29 Aug 52
Approved For Release 2001/09/06 : CIA-RDP79TO1 146AO01 200160001-2
 Approved For 'Ri tease 2001/09/06: CIA-RDP79T01146* 01200160001-2
SECRET
18. Dutch will demand British financial controls on East-West
traded The ute de egate w insist at the September meeting
oT-C-OCOM that Britain impose controls on the financing of East-
West trade. He promises documentation proving that the majority
of deals in strategic commodities with Eastern Europe involve
British firms.
The Dutch will not insist on American financial controls,
since they believe that very few American firms finance such
trade. They do desire a simple regulation by the Department of
Commerce or Treasury prohibiting certain sales. (S The Hague
282, 27 Aug 52)
Comment: The Netherlands conditions its acceptance of a
Belgian proposal made last February for the licensing of trans-
shipments on the adoption of adequate financial controls by
other countries.
Britain cannot broaden its present financial control
measures to include security considerations so long as banks
other than the Bank of England are allowed to grant foreign
exchange authorizations. The British intention to use sterling
as widely as possible in international trade precludes the with-
drawal of such authority from these banks,
19. Britain suggests delay in Council of Europe link with coal-
steel-community: high r tis .reign Office official has
suggested that the plan sponsored by Foreign Secretary Eden for
bringing the coal-steel community under the aegis of the Council
of Europe be set aside until the new organization has been
operating for some time, according to the chairman of the Schuman
Plan High Authority. (R Paris POLTO 204, 26 Aug 52)
Comment: In view of the determination by Italy, France,
and Germany to proceed with the establishment of an independent
coal-steel community, efforts to assert Council of Europe
control over the community have little chance of success even
with British support.
This reported shift in British views is a further indi-
cation of Britain's increasing willingness to accept the fact
of Continental integration.
20. Britain seen alerted on French "anti-Communist" organization:
The British Foreign Off ice regards Fighting Democracy, the Frenc
SECRET
10 29 Aug 52
Approved For Release 2001/09/06 : CIA-RDP79TO1 146AO01 200160001-2
 Approved, For iWease 2001/09/06: CIA-RDP79T011404001200160001-2
SECRET
led "anti-Communist" organization, as a potentially useful group
only if reliable people can be enlisted to replace certain
"dubious elements." The American Embassy in London believes that
the British Government is capable of preventing the'organi-
zation from becoming dangerous in the United Kingdom.
The Embassy states that any aggressive American action
against Fighting Democracy would be interpreted in Western
Europe as vindictive antagonism to anything less than unquestion-
ing support for the American position. (S London 1124, 27 Aug 52)
Comment: The Embassy in London stated on 5 August that it
considered British labor support for Fighting Democracy as doubt-
ful. There is no confirmation or denial of the report that French
labor leader Leon Jouhaux, who may be a tool of fellow travelers
in Fighting Democracy, will speak at the British Trades Union
Congress beginning 1 September.
21. Denmark's failure to follow COCOM consultation procedures
criticized: DenmarFs failure to consult with M prior to
giving final approval to the delivery to Poland of the five
trawlers provided for under the June trade agreement has aroused
the criticism of the other COCOM members.
.The Belgian delegate informed the US representatives that
unless Denmark gives more adequate assurances of future consul-
tation in accordance with the COCOM agreement, the Belgian Govern-
ment would prefer Danish withdrawal. (S Paris 1007, 26 Aug 52)
Comment: The Danish statement that these trawlers are old
shipswithlittle strategic value has not been questioned in
COCOMO
Earlier this month Denmark similarly took unilateral action
in shipping strategic bismuth compounds above the established
COCOM quotas.
22. Arrest of Orthodox Party opposition leader ratified by
court: The Urgency Court of van. has ratified the imprison-
ment of Emilio Ochoa, national leader of the Orthodox Party,
on charges including conspiring against the Cuban Government.
The court stated that Ochoa was preparing a revolution for 4 Sep-
SECRET
11 29 Aug 52
Approved For Release 2001/09/06 : CIA-RDP79TO1 146AO01 200160001-2
 Approved For*fmlelease 2001/09/06 : CIA-RDP79T0114W01200160001-2
SECRET
tember involving civilians and retired members of the army. (R
FBIS - 27 Aug 52)
Comment: Ochoa was arrested on 24 August immediately after
a telev-'ice program in which he hinted that President Batista
would be overthrown before next year's November elections, ac-
cused Batista of embezzling public funds, Wand otherwise criti-
cized the present regime. Since then Pardo L:lada, Roberto
Agramonte, and other prominent Orthodox lead:rs have been ar-
rested on charges of illegal assembly and conspiracy against the
state.
The Orthodox Party probably has more members than any other
Cuban political party. Its candidate, Roberto Agramonte,
reportedly stood a good chance of winning the 1 June presi-
dential elections which were prevented by the 10 March coup.
The continued arrests and detention of both civilian and
military personnel on conspiracy charges attest to Batista's
uneasiness as to the security of his regime.
12 29 Aug 52
Approved For Release 2001/09/06 : CIA-RDP79TO1 146AO01 200160001-2