CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1951/03/25

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Current/Central Intelligence Bulletin Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 03176552
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: March 18, 2019
• Document Release Date: March 28, 2019
• Publication Date: March 25, 1951

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25 March 1951
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CURRENT IN T, 1., TG 1,4 CE BULLETIN
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CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
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, SUMMARY
GENERAL
1. British Parliamentary criticism complicates Anglo-Egyptian relations
(page 3).
2. UK following up South African 1],.�Ontise of troops for Middle East
(page 3).
FAR EAST
4. De Lattre obtains reinforcements for Indochina (page 5).
EASTERN EUROPE
5. Pursuit planes reported over Albanian capital (page 5).
LATIN AMERICA
6. Argentine President boasts of new method for producing Atomic
Energy (page 6).
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GENERAL
. British Parliamentary criticism complicates Anglo-Egyptian relations:
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The British Cabinet is reviewing its proposals
on Anglo-Egyptian defense in the light of the
mounting Parliamentary opposition to the Gov-
ernment's "concessions" to Egypt which was..
revealed in recent debates on the Anglo-Egyptian financial agreement.
Critics in Parliament also attacked Egypt's continuing ban on Suez Canal
traffic bound for Israel. 3.3(h)(2)
Comment: The Cabinet's review of proposals
for Anglo.--Egyptian defense arrangements reflects the seriousness with
which the Government views the possibility of further Parliamentary
criticism of its Egyptian policy. A new agreement for a British base
in Suez is necessary before the expiration of the Anglo-Egyptian treaty
in 1956, and Egyptian public opinion is chronically hostile to the presence
of British forces in the Suez area. In view of these factors, British mili-
tary planners have recently come around to the Foreign Office view that
any new treaty must make some concession to Egyptian demands for
British evacuation of the Canal Zone. In the past few months there have
been a few indications that the positions of British and Egyptian nego-
tiators have moved closer together, but the good feeling surrounding
the negotiations has not yet been accompanied by tangible results. The
Immediate danger lies in the possibility that British Parliamentary criti-
cism may so antagonize Egyptian public opinion that the Egyptian Govern-
ment will be unable to accept any arrangement short of complete British
evacuation.
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2. UK following up South African promise of troops for Middle East:
The Foreign Office has asked the US Embassy
In London what action is likely to be taken, 3.3(h)(2)
and how soon, on a pending South African re-
quest for US materiel to equip one armored
division, which will be used to defend the Middle East if war breaks out.
Since the South African troop commitment was contingent on obtaining the
necessary materiel, the UK is extremely anxious that these needs be filled
as quickly as possible, lest South Africa find some excuse for changing its
mind.
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Australia and New Zealand have also agreed
to supply troops for Middle East defense in the event of war, Common-
wealth defense talks on the Middle East are scheduled for May or June.
Comment British concern is understandable
In general because the UK is interested in furthering Commonwealth
defense cooperation, and in particular because the South African decision
to make this contribution to Middle East defense was reached ove,.' eighteen
months ago and represented a marked break with the generally isolationist
traditions of Prime Minister Malan's Nationalist Party. Although this
change in policy was motivated lys mti-Communist rather than pro
Commonwealth feelings, the British may fear that the recent increase in
the Malan Government's irritation with the UK on other issues will cause
the South Africans to reconsider their commitment.
3.3(h)(2)
FAR EAST
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� 4. De Lattre obtains reinforcements for Indochina:
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The French Council of Ministers has agreed
to give General 151Ie Lattre de Tassigny 12,000
reinforcements for his army in Indochina, De
Lattre has informed an official of the US Em-
bassy in Paris that he expects to be able to return these new troops within
eighteen months and that, with the formation of new Vietnamese units and
with continued US military aid, he could stabilize the situation in Ind�,
china by the end of 1951.
Comment: The Cabinet acceded to De Lattre's
request over the objections of Defense Minister Moch, who argued that
French forces should not be diverted from the main task of defending
Western Europe.
EASTERN EUROPE
5. Pursuit planes reported over Albanian capital:
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pursuit planes of the "most modern type"3.34.0(2)
were "in constant flight" over Tirana from
14 to 16 March,,.This is the first report that
fighter aircraft may be operating from Albanian bases. In late January
the first appearance of Soviet
aviation officers in Tirana. Albania has no air force, but the Albanian
Government has expressed its intention to take action against unauthorized
flights over its territory. The appearance of fighter aircraft in Albania
may, therefore, be the first indication that the nucleus of an air force 3.3(h)(2)
Is being established.
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LATIN AMERICA:
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6. Argentine President boasts of new method for producing Atomic Energy:
On 24 March, President Peron of Argentin^
announced that Argentina's pilot plant had 3.3 (h)(2 )
produced atomic energy by a new method un-
known to other countries and much cheaper than that employed by the
US, Britain and the USSR. Peron claimed that successful experiments
were carried out on 16 February at Huenal Island in Lake Nahuel Huapi
(about 850 airline miles southwebi of Buenos Aires). He said that Ar-
gentina needed atomic energy for its industrial progress and had "firmly
decided to produce it."
Comment: It is highly unlikely that Argen-
tina has made new discoveries in atomic production. The timing of
Peron's announcement suggests that it may have a two-fold purpose:
(a) to enhance Argentina's political stature at the Inter-American Meet-
ing of Foreign Ministers, which will begin 26 March, and (b) to dis-
tract both foreign and domestic attention from trouble concerning the
closing of La Prensa.
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