FRENCH POLICIES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79R00890A000700010024-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 27, 2002
• Sequence Number: 24
• Publication Date: January 16, 1956
• Content Type: BRIEF

Approved For Release 2002
NSC BRIEFING 10 January 1950
FIENCH POLICIES
1. Dissension among center groups continues complicate forma-
tion French government:
A. iviollet and Mendes-France want Republican Front (minority)
government.
1. They opposed broad "National Union" non-extremists
as incapable of strong policies,
2. knave not rejected Communist support for domestic
program.
3, Anticipate right-center support for pro-Pest
foreign policy,
4. Socialist 14 January Congress gave strong support
iaollet-i!P.erides-Fr arice position.
4i_=3ht-Center not willing ; give Republican Front blank
check:
1, :popular i epublicans insist on majority-based -overn-
!'fient.
2. Pinay forces resigned to 6ocialist premier but
oa ject to take-it or leave it attitude :.: epu .alican
Front leaders.
iviost party positions to be outlined in meetings this
11. Extremists prepared exploit center weakness:
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25X1
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A. Communists maintaining pressure for Popular Front
(not necessarily participating in government, gut
having voice in program).
1. one observers fear early use of widespread strikes
to embarrass a new Republican Front government,
2. Expected to support iepublican Front government
so as to be a_-Ile make propaganda claim Popular
Frontt;, exists
Meanwhile on extreme right,
3. Three day closed-door Poujade meeting 14-17 January
to decide policy.
C. Increasing; evidence fascist influence:
1. Lelia >ly reported backed by WWW II collaborationist
money.
2. Support from French settlers North Africa,
3. Anti-parliamentarian and racist lines apparent in
first issues new Poujade weekly,
III Assembly housekeeping chores will delay naming new premier:
A. New Assembly expected meet Friday 19 January must first:
1. Validate credentials
2. Set up assembly machinery (committees, secretariat
etc)
3. Elect assembly president.
b. Faure expected to resign between 23 and 25 January.
C, Coty will then name first candidate for premiership.
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1V. In nearby .T.~a.os, a new government (little different from
present one, and under the same premier) will be formed
next month on basis of 25 Dec 155 election results.
Despite rebel Pathet La.o denunciation, election
brought heavy vote.
Pa.thet morale believed low and royal government ap-
pa.re tly hopes to regain control two northern prov-
inces through extension pa.rtisa.n activity there,
V. In Cambodia., former King (now Prince) Sihanouk rema.ins
gully in control, even though he has resigned premier-
ship and is off for a, holiday on Riviera.,
A. is replacement ca.binet submitted resignation after
three days in office, but will stay as caretaker
until Prince's return.
k. iha.nouk currently stressing Ca.mbodia.'s neutrality,
but pointing to dependence on US for support of
armed forces.
". Along neutrality line, Prince is believed to be
sympa,thetic towards a Soviet bid for diploma.tic
relations, as well as possible trip to Peiping.
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