CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1951/07/18

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Current/Central Intelligence Bulletin Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 02740741
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: April 15, 2019
• Document Release Date: April 22, 2019
• Publication Date: July 18, 1951

Approved for Release: 2019/04/02 602740741
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18 July 1951
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CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN /41
DOCUMENT NO.
NO CHANGE IN CLASS.)(
DECLASSIFIED
CLASS. CHANGED TO: TS S C
NEXT REVIEW DATE:
AUTH_HR.ZO.
DATE
REVIEWER:
Office of Current Intelligence
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
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SUMMARY
GENERAL
06) 0 1()TI A ", a4,
1. US and UK move to effect a bilateral Italian-Iapanese peace treaty
4340'4,
FAR EAST
En my possibly extending jet operations (page 3). if�1?Jc
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NEAR EAST
Work on pipeline from Iraq to be hasten d (page 44/5
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� SOUTH ASIA
kf.0 0461M1
6. Increased Soviet and Communist activity in Afghanistan (page 5)1
WESTERN EUROPE
7. Sforza expected to leave Italian Foreign Ministry (page 6).11A1-4
8. West German Socialists again criticizegtkapd British labor units
(page 7)Q
7).
9. Franco confirms long-awaited Spanish cabinet shakeup (page 7). ,)M
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GENERAL
US and UK move to effect a bilateral Itali
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US officials have informed Italy that its partici-
pation in the Japanese peace treaty is not deemed
appropriate and thats, instead, the UK and the
US are prepared to use their good offices for
the negotiation of a mutually satisfactory Italian-Tapanese bilateral peace
settlement.
A
The British Foreign Office suggeSts that the
UN and the US move promptly to dispel public resentment at Italian exclusion
from the Japanese peace settlement so that the Italian Government will
not be pushed into a strong public position in conflict with that of the West.
Italy was also informed that the US wishes to avoid antagonizing the Japanese
public by putting Italy in the tole of a victor.
Comment The Italian Government has protested
against its exclusion from the Japanese peace treaty on the grounds that
this would (a) deal a serious blow to Italian prestige and (b) disastrously
affect Italian public opinion. The Italian Government has sought to develop
the idea that Italy has worked its way back to the family of nations especially
by its staunch support of NATO.
FAR EAST
2. Enemy ossibl et oeratIonsg
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Recent jet fighter operations support the Far
East Air Force2 estimate that the enemy is
capablelf extending his air defense to cover
all of Communist-held North Korea. In
a on to several air engagement in the Pyongyang area last week in-
volving moderate to large-size enemy groups� there is evidence of possible
enemy use of large external fuel tanks. Large silver tanks were reportedly
observed dropping from enemy jets in their first pass at UN F-51.2s attack-
ing Kangdong airfield northeast of Pyongyang.
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Comment: Air Force technical intelligence
has for some time reported that the MIG-15 is believed capable of a com-
bat radius of more than 400 nautical miles 4 large tanks (approximately
150 gallons) were used. Th above sighting, if confirmed, would be the
first evidence that this potential has en reached. The combat radius
of 4 MIG-15 equipped -with 33 gallon external wing tanks is estimated to
be about 250 nautical miles.
3.3(h)(2)
NEAR EAST
4. Work on pipeline fr m Iraq to be hastenedj,
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The Iraq Petroleum Company plans to speed
up work on the pipeline currently being con-
structed from ri.V.q to the Mediterranean with
the completion date set between April and
June 1952. This move is part of IPC's plans to increase oil production
to meet the deficiencies resulting from the Iranian situation.
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Comment With the pipeline frtm the Kirkuk
oil field to the r vinery at Haifa closed, Iraq can export only 7,000,000
tons of oil per ye P. The completion of this new 304nch pipeline will
increase export capacity to nearInD million tons -- equivalencto two-
thirds of Iran's 1950 output.
3.3(h)(2)
� SOt/TH ASIA
6. Increased Soviet and Communist acthi_ J.Lu._.bra
The US Embassy in Kabul reports consider-
able activity on the p rt of Soviet diplomats
in Afghanistan,. as well as rumors of ignifi-
cant`Communist activity within the country.
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Soviet Embassy and Trade Delegation person-
nel in Kabul are moving out of their embassy
compound to take up residence in various parts
of the city and are mingling to a greater degree
with the local populace. Communist publications are now circulating in Kabul
and Sa4labad, and there have been rumors of Communist infiltration into
the Afghan Army. Furthermore, the Communist Iranian Tudeh party has
been reportedly active in the Herat province of northwest Afghanistan.
Comment: Growing internal political unrest,
which stems from ssension within the ruling governmental clique and
from the recent development of an anti-government liberal movement,
makes Afghanistan a particularly inviting target for Soviet exploitation.
Soviet diplomats in Afghanistan, many of whom speak fluent Persian or
Pushtu, are well equipped to mingle with the Afghan populace.
WESTERN EUROPE
Sforza expected to leave Italian Foreign Ministry:
Although the domestic political situation re-
mains obscure following the Italian Crabinet's
resignation, there is a growing indication that
Foreign Minister Sforza will be replaced.
According to well-informed Foreign Office circles, however, the final
decision has not been made.
3.3(h)(2)
Comment The replacement of Count Sforza,
an elder statesman with little political following within Italy, has long
been expected, His conduct of foreign affairs has been widely criticized,
particularly by nationalistic rightist groups, on the grounds that it has
been ineffective in defending Italian interests. Earlier reports have indi-
cated that Sforza might negotiate a Trieste settlement with Yugoslavia
and then be sacrificed in order to appease Italian public opinion.
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8. West German Socialists again criticize#116,and British labor units:
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The Social Democratic Party in Western 3.3(h)(2)
Germany recently launched another bitter
attack against the German Labor Service Units
maintained in the US and UK zones. The
Social Democrats criticize the fact that the members of these labor and
guard units are removed from Germanviukisdiction, and allege that there
has been a tendency to transform the units into a paramilitary organization.
The party further charges that the Allies have reorganized the labor units
secretly and without consulting the Bundestag, and it demands immediate
action to assure that the units do not become auxiliary troops. Govern-
ment party deputies agree with the Socialists that action with respect tc3 3(h)(2)
the labor units must not prejudge the question of German rearmament.
Comment: The US and UK together maintain
about 86,000 German and other employees under contract to guard in-
stallations and provide technical assistance. Although these units are
not intended as cadres for a German armed force the USSR has protested
their existence. The Social Democratic Party, which is opposing German
rearmament, suspects that an attempt may be made to create armed
forces "through the back door"; it therefore opposes the US-UK labor
units, as well as the proposal to double the size of the Federal border
police. 3.3(h)(2)
Franco confirms long-awaited Spanish cabinet shakeup:
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General Franco has personally informed the
US Ambassador 10 Madrid that a general
reorganization of his government will be an-
nounced on 19 July. Only four of the present
cabinet officers will be retained. They are: Minister of Labor Jose
Antonio de Giron, Minister of Foreign Affairs Alberto Martin Artajo,
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Minister of the Interior Blas Perez Gonzalez, ad Minister of Air Eduardo
Gonzalez Gallarza, Lieutenant General Agustin Munoz Grandes is reliably
mentioned as the new. Minister of the Army.
Meanwhile, press reports describe the contem-
plated cabinet changes as a concession to public opiniontin democratic
countries,
Comment: This shakeup indicates a general
tightening of the internal structure of the regime in order .tria.obviate the
criticism of inefficiency and corruption throughout the various govern-
mental departments Minister of Labor Giron has reportedly told the
cabinet that if Spain's economic crisis is to be understood abrOad, there
must be some freedom for public criticism within Spain; otherwise, he
claimed, it was logical for the US to hesitate to assist in Spain's economic
rehabilitation. Giron is generally regarded as the government member
with the greatest influence over the workers within the Falangist organi-
zation.
Relhention of Martin Artajo signifies Franco's
eagerness to retain the support of the active Catholic elements in Spain.
Lt. General Munoz Grandes is one of Franco's
ablest and most trusted generals.
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