CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1951/03/28

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Current/Central Intelligence Bulletin Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 02003043
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: March 18, 2019
• Document Release Date: March 28, 2019
• Publication Date: March 28, 1951

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TO RET
28 March 1951
CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN00,....
DOCUMENT NO.
NO CHANCE IN CLASS.
DECLASSIFIED
CLASS. CHANGED TO: TS Solloo
NEXT 1.;!EVW DATE:
AUTH:i �OA 71-e24161
DATE 7.i.TEVIEVY03:
Office of Current Intelligence
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
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IN �
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� SUMMARY
FAR EAST
er
2. De Lattre's reinforcements to come from North Africa (page 3).
3� French hope to forestall Chinese Communist intervention in Indochina
(page 4).
EASTERN EUROPE
4. Izvestia charges US with planning aggression against Albania (page 4).
LATIN AMERICA
5. Peron seeks maximum propaganda benefit from atomic energy
announcement (page 5).
TOP SECRET
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FAR EAST
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2. De Lattre's reinforcements to come from North Africa:
Implementing its decision to provide De
Lattre with the reinforcements he requested
for Indochina, the French Government will
send two below-strength French Army divisions, totalling 13,000 men, 3.3(h)(2)
from North Africa to Indochina as soon as transportation is available.
These divisions will be replaced with conscripts and volunteers.
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Comment: The apparent settlement of
the Moroccan crisis and the absence of sympathetic demonstrations in
Algeria and Tunisia permits the French to substitute recruits and con-
scripts for the seasoned troops now in North Africa. Army strength
in that area -- now approximately 88,000 -- is adequate to maintain
order.
These reinforcements are not expected to
begin arriving in Tonkin until 1 May, and therefore may be too late to aid
the French in countering arrall-out Viet Minh offensive which is believed
to be imminent.
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3. French ho e to forestall Chinese Communist intervention in Indochina:
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General e Lattre and the French Govern- '
ment evidently believe that, by maintaining
a non-provocative attitude toward the Chi-
nese Communists in military and informa-
tional operations, they can reduce the likelihood of ari invasion of Indo-
china. De Lattre apparently hopes that, with an improved military
situation, he will be able to negotiate with the Chinese Communists for
the cessation of aid to the Viet Minh. As a matter of policy, the French
are playing down any reference to Chinese assistance and doubtlessly
intend to ignore the issue as long as possible.
3.5(c)
Comment: De Lattre's estimate that the
situation in Indochina can be "normalized" by the end of 1951 is based
on the premise that Chinese Communist units will not support Viet
Minli\forces. Like the British, he is apparently willing to negotiate
with th Chinese Communists, at least until French efforts to obtain
a joint US-UK-French policy in the Far East are successful.
EASTERN EUROPE
4. Izvestia charges US with planning aggression against Albania:
The Moscow press hasp for the first time,
adopted the Satellite propaganda line con-
cerning "Operation Lightning," an alleged
plan for Western aggression against Al-
bania this spring. A 25 March Izvestia article describes "Operation
Lightning" as a US-sponsored affair involving a coordinated Turkish-
Greek offensive, supported by Tito, against Albania. The article charges
that Yugoslavia, Greece and Italy are committing border violations with
the ultimate purpose of enslaving Albania.
Comment: Heretofore, accusations regarding
Western plans for an imminent attack on Albania have emanated only
from Satellite and Free Greek sources. Albanian propaganda dealt
with the threat to Albanian territorial integrity, while the other,Satel-
lite and Free Greek radios outlined Western plans to attack the USSR,
advancing through the Balkans by means of "Operation Lightning."
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LATIN AMERICA
5. Peron seeks maximuin propapnda benefit from atomic energy
' announcement:
3.5(c)
CoqiTent: It is becoming increasingly
evident that Argentina is attempting to derive full propaganda benefits
from Peron's recent claim of atomic energy successes. Present in-
formation does not permit a definite conclusion as to what Argentina
has accomplished in the field of atomic research. However, it is un-
likely that anything has been accomplished which would enable Argen-
tina to produce atmnic weapons pr atomic power.
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