CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1952/03/09

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Current/Central Intelligence Bulletin Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 03176567
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: May 24, 2019
• Document Release Date: May 30, 2019
• Publication Date: March 9, 1952

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SEC INFORMATION
9 March 1952
CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN
DOCUMENT NO,
NO CE-IANGE IN CLASS.
I. DECLAITSIFIED
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RUTH: H 70-2
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Office of Current Intelligence
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
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SECU INFORMATION
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SUMMARY
�
USSR
1, American Mission Chiefs from eastern Europe comment on Orbit
public opinion (page 3).
2. USSR opens credit to purchase copper in Argentina (page 3).
FAR EAST
3. Fear of future epidemic suggested in Communist (page 4).
4. French open drive against Indochinese nationalis or ce � ge 4).
SOUTH ASIA
5. India considers "action" in case of Chinese Communist intervention
In Burma (page 5).
NEAR EAST - AFRICA
6. Syria embarks on anti-Western campaign (page 6).
7. American Military Mission in Iran strongly opposed by Mossadeq
(page 6).
8. New disturbances in Egypt predicted (page 7).
WESTERN EUROPE
9. Leading French Socialist pessimistic on ratification of the European
Defense Community (page 8).
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USSR
1. American Mission Chiefs from eastern Europe comment on Orbitpublic
opinion: 3.3(h)(2)
At the recent meeting of US Missions Chiefs
from eastern Europe it was agreed that within
the Soviet Union the Russians were having
some success in their "Hate America" cam-
paign and in creating the impression that the United States is driving the
world into another war. In the Satellites, however, the majority of the
people are still pro-American and hope for an early liberation, even if
a war is necessary.
2. USSR opens credit to purchase copper in Argentina:
The Moscow State Bank ordered its London
branch to open an irrevocable letter of credlt
of 1,375,000 dollars for the purchase of 1,000
metric tons of electrolytic copper in Argentina.
According to the 24 January contract, the
credit is valid until 24 March 1952, and the copper is to be no less
than 99.98 percent pure, f.o.b. a Soviet steamer in Genoa.
Comment: This is the first indication of
possible Argentine shipment of copper to the Soviet Orbit. Reportedly,
�Argentina's strict export controls have prevented re-export of essential
goods which it has to import. There is no indication that the Argentines
involved in the transaction have any connection with Argentine Govern-
ment officials.
Because of Argentina's desperate need for
foreign exchange and its current anti-American feeling, the government
might permit this sale.
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FAR EAST
3. Fear of future epidemic suggested in Communist
A Chinese Communist artillery unit was informed
on 29 February that "all personnel will be re-
inoculated at once" with bubonic plague vaccine.
Healthy individuals, however, are to take only
a half-strength shot or may "temporarily not be inoculated."
3.3(h)(2)
a Chinese Communist
artillery regiment reported on 27 February that "we have now fully obtained
the vaccine required for smallpox in the spring time, malaria, and bubonic
plague." the smallpox and malaria shots have al-
ready been given, but queries, "How shall we administer the bubonic plague
shots?' 3.3(h)(2)
Comment: The Communists evidently are
carrying out a large-scale immunization program in Korea, probably
because the threat of epidemics will be heightened in the coming months.
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The continued and un-
precedented coverage given the BW theme in Communist broadcasts,
moreover, supports the view that propaganda motives are behind the
charges of UN use of BW in Korea.
4. French open drive against Indochinese nationalist force:
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Five French infantry battalions, together with
supporting artillery, river craft, planes and
paratroops, are participating in an operation
orthwest of Saigon, designed to engage armed
units gf Colonel Trinh Minh The's "National Resistance Front."
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Comment: Colonel The, who has taken a
strong stand against both the French and the Viet Minh, is regarded by
many Vietnamese as a national hero.
The US Legation in Saigon has previously
observed that military action against Colonel The would not only weaken
the French forces available to counter growing Viet Minh strength but
also inflame nationalist sentiment throughout Vietnam. Other Americans
on the scene have pointed out that the United States position, already
misunderstood by many Vietnamese, would be further compromised by
the use of American-supplied arms against anti-Communist elements.
SOUTH ASIA
5. India considers "action" in case of Chinese Communist intervention in
Burma:
India's new Secretary for Commonwealth 3.3(h)(2)
relations has told American Counsellor Steere
in New Delhi that India regards any threat to
the territorial integrity of Burma as a threat
to itself. The Secretary concludes from this that his government would
be forced to take some action if it should receive information indicating
the likelihood of Chinese Communist intervention in Burma against
Chinese Nationalist troops. Circumstances would decide the kind of
actan to be taken.
Comment: Past performance indicates that
India would content itself with diplomatic representations providing that
the Chinese intervention posed no direct threat to India's frontiers. Their
Is no evidence that Burma is counting on Indian army support; it would,
however, expect India to take the lead in the international councils con-
cerned with Burma's independence.
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NEAR EAST - AFRICA
6. Syria embarks on anti-Western campaign:
The Syrian Government has ordered the 3.3(h)(2)
liquidation by 2 April of the Near East Foundation,
which isfinancedby the Point Four programr
It has ordered the replacement of foreign
company managers by Syrians. It has for-
bidden civil servants to "establish contact" with foreign legations and
has asked foreign missions to restrict the activities of their personnel
to their official duties.
The US Legation in Damascus thinks that the
passage of these measures is the result either of faulty coordination
between Colonel Selo, the legal head of the government, and Colonel
Shishakli, the military power behind the government, or of insincerity
on the part of Shishakli who has steadily indicated his pro-Western
orientation.
Comment: There has long been evidence of
a strong anti-Western sentiment in Syria. While the effects of the new
regulations cannot now be assessed, their promulgation means that the
US and Britain will have added difficulties in persuading the present
Syrian military regime to cooperate with the West.
7. American Military Mission in Iran strongly opposed by Mossadeq:
Iranian Cabinet member Busheri has told
Ambassador Henderson that the Iranian
Finance Ministry will have no authority to
grant funds to the US Military Mission after
20 March unless a new contract is signed. Although Mossadeq has
assured the American Ambassador that the Mission's expenses would
continue to be met even without a contract, Busheri believes that the
Prime Minister could not legally justify such an expenditure before the
Majlis.
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Meanwhile, the Prime Minister has again told
Ambassador Henderson that he has always opposed and can never support
or agree to any US-Iranian military contract
Comment: In an apparent attempt to appease
local conservative opinion and avoid antagonizing the United States,
Mossadeq has suggested on several occasions that the Military Mission
stay in Iran after the expiration of the contract until the situation is
clarified. At the same time, however, he has warned that neither he
nor the Majlis would be inclined to consent to a continuation of the Mission.
8. New disturbances in Egypt predicted:
The British War Office, which expects riots
in Egypt when Prime Minister Hilali Pasha
reveals the Wafd's role in the recent dis-
turbances in Cairo, has alerted the British
forces in the Canal zone and in Libya which
would be involved in any occupation of the delta
region.
The difficulties facing Egypt's Premier in
initiating domestic reforms have also been stressed by the able Ahmed
Hussein Pasha, who at one time participated in the former Wald govern-
ment but who has so far refused to join the new cabinet. He states that
Hilali lacks any real public support and maintains that the government's
emphasis on internal reforms has already evoked charges thatthe Prime
Minister is diverting popular interest from Egypt's national aspirations.
The American Ambassador in Cairo states
that if Britain would soon offer substantial concessions on the treaty
dispute, the Hilali Cabinet could break the power of the Wald. He
also notes that "if the Hilali government falls, no one knows what will
come next in Egypt."
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WESTERN EUROPE
9. Leading French Socialist pessimistic on ratification of the European
Defense Community:
The European Defense Community treaty in
its present form would be defeated in the
French Assembly by 60 votes, in the opinion
of Andre Philip, a leading Socialist and the
head of the French delegation to the Economic Commission for Europe.
Philip stresses that fears of a rearmed Germany will preclude Socialist
support unless Britain joins the EDC or unless that organization provides
for a real political integration of Europe.
Comment: Socialist support for continued
negotiations on the EDC was won last month only after considerable
compromise by ex-Premier Faure' s coalition. Socialist Secretary.
General Monet has since emphasized to US officials that the treaty will
not be ratified in its present form.
Recent indications that the British Labor Party
now favors British participation in a European army have greatly en-
couraged the French Socialists on this particular issue. Since there is
little likelihood that Britain will join the EDC, however, the SOcialists
will probably vote for the treaty if their other conditions are met.
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