CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1953/08/11

Document Type: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
02026928
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
U
Document Page Count: 
7
Document Creation Date: 
July 15, 2019
Document Release Date: 
July 22, 2019
Sequence Number: 
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
August 11, 1953
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PDF icon CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULL[15677463].pdf199.76 KB
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, 't a Approved for Release: 2019/07/10 CO2026928- yi.015i SETOP C INFORMATION RET 11 August 1953 Copy No. 67 CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN DOCUMENT NO. NC C N!":3�E c.A,1 DA i E: 11;;71:1; " '.�"'oLit REVIEWER:0-411g Office of Current Intelligence CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY / z TOP ET /7 CUIUTY INFORMATION --"-�1111 3.5(c) /4 Approved for Release: 2019/07/10 CO2026928 Approved for Release: 2019/07/10 CO2026928 VE 1�..C. ECURITY INFORMATION 3.5(c) SUMMARY FAR EAST 1. Comment on Chinese Communist attention to "collective leadership" (page 3). SOUTHEAST ASIA 2. That leaders threaten drastic steps if excluded from postarmistice political conference (page 3). SOUTH ASIA 3.3(h)(2) NEAR EAST - AFRICA 4. Comment on announcement of opening of Iranian-Soviet negotiations (page 4). 5. New British proposal on Suez base unacceptable to Egypt (page 5). EASTERN EUROPE 6. Czechoslovakia seeks to increase exports to non-Communist world (page 6). 7. Hungary permits increase in private trade (page 6). * * * * -2- TOSECRE".1 11 Aug 53 3.5(c) 3.5(c) Approved for Release: 2019/07/10 CO2026928 Approved for Release: 2019/07/10 CO2026928 -4,40, I ur SECURITY INFORMATION 3.5(c) FAR EAST 1. Comment on Chinese Communist attention to "collective leadership": A review of Peiping broadcasts since Beria's downfall in early July reveals a greatly increased Chinese Communist awareness of the Soviet emphasis on "collective leadership." This has been reflected in a noticeable decline in Peiping's praise of Mao Tse- tung's personal leadership. Following Stalin's death, Soviet propaganda gradually developed a trend away from "worship of the individual." Although this line was clear before June, Peiping's eulogies of Mao reached an all-time high in June and early July. It was publicly asserted that China was entering a period of glory identified with Mao's personal rule, the "era of Mao Tse-tung." As leader of the Chinese Communist Party, Mao has been unchallenged since at least 1938, and his position is believed to be secure. There are grounds for questioning the status, however, of several other members of the party's central committee. Some of these persons may be publicly purged in the alleged interests of party "unity." SOUTHEAST ASIA 2. Thai leaders threaten drastic steps if excluded from postarmistice political conference: cipa 3.5(c) The Thai deputy foreign minister on 8 Augu:3.3(h)(2) suggested to the American charge in Bangkok that Thailand could not continue to support the United Nations effort in Korea unless it par- e pos rmistice political conference. Meanwhile, Deputy Defense Minister Sarit, a powerful member of the ruling military clique, told an embassy officer that Thailand had earned membership in the conference. He stated that the Soviet embassy had already approached the government - 3 - 11 Aug 53 3.5(c) Approved for Release: 2019/07/10 CO2026928 Approved for Release: 2019/07/10 CO2026928 kir o a.E.1 MOW 3.5(c) CUR1TY INFORMATION regarding the sale of tin to the Communist bloc, and indicated that Thailand's support of the UN embargo against Communist China might be withdrawn if its hopes for representation were frustrated. The embassy comments that while it is un- likely that the Thai would carry out any of their veiled threats at this time, the importance they attach to this issue cannot be overestimated. 3. 4. Comment on SOUTH ASIA NEAR EAST - AFRICA announcement of opening of Iranian-Soviet negotiations: ana Moscow The 10 August announcement from Tehran that a Soviet-Iranian commission will try to settle all -4- 11 Aug 53 3.3(h)( 2) 3.5(c) 3.5(c) Approved for Release: 2019/07/10 CO2026928 'Approved for Release: 2019/07/10 CO2026928 VI" E.A.-.1�1:, J. 44w' SECURITY INFORMATION 3.5(c) 3.3(h)(2) outstanding differences appears to be aimed at extracting the maximum propaganda benefit from the forthcoming talks. While Soviet approaches to Iran reportedly have been friendly, there is no indication that appreciable progress has been made toward settling major outstanding problems. the commission 3.3(h)(2) will concern itself with frontier disputes and the settlement of financial claims and counterclaims. The border disputes may be settled rela- tively easily, but the financial claims and counterclaims may bring long and possibly indecisive wrangling. as far as is known, the proposed agenda does not include Iranian oil. There is likewise no reference to oil in the published data on the economic pact negotiated between the two countries two months ago. 5. New British proposal on Suez base unacceptable to Eqpt: Vice Premier Nasr told an American embass.3(h)(2) official on August that the British formula on "future availability" of the Suez base is unacceptable to Egypt. Nasr described the British proposal, offered during the 6 August informal discussions, as even less satisfactory than the formula which the Wald party turned down in 1950. He also Indicated disagreement on the duration of any arrangement covering the Suez base. Comment: An acceptable formula for future availability of the base has been the chief point of discussion during the three recent informal Anglo-Egyptian contacts. There is no indication that Egypt is willing to alter its present stand on the question of availability of the base, and the desultory contacts between the two parties during the past ten days offer little hope for a quick settlement. - 5 - T 0 I) S 11 Aug 53 3.5(c) Approved for Release: 2019/07/10 CO2026928 _...1 1 ,Approved for Release: 2019/07/10 CO2026928 .....1>l........r.--) -ark.....R.E, 1 I I Nee ..... SECURITY INFORMATION 3.5(c) EASTERN EUROPE 6. Czechoslovakia seeks to increase exports to non-Communist world: Comment: The intensified Czech efforts to increase exports are in line with the continuing Soviet drive to gain political as well as economic advantage from a limited expan- sion of trade with the West. 7. Hungary permits increase in private trade: In the latest of a series of measures to give substance to Premier Nagy's promises of a liberalized domestic policy, the Hun- garian government on 8 August decreed approved individuals will be permitted to set up small private consumer crafts and service businesses. Local authorities will grant licenses for such concerns in areas where state enterprises and craftsmen's co-operatives are not able to fulfill consumer de- mands. Comment: Hungary has gone farther than any other Orbit country except East Germany in liberalizing its internal program. The measures go beyond the current Soviet liberalization policy and are reminiscent of the USSR's New Eco- nomic Policy of the 1920's. - 6 - " 'oC$ E OFT 11 Aug 53 3.3(h)(2) 3.3(h)(2) 3.5(c) Approved for Release: 2019/07/10 CO2026928 Approved for Release: 2019/07/10 CO2026928 r Nise SECURITY INFORMATION 3.5(c) The Hungarian regime has promised to cut back its industrialization program in favor of increased emphasis on agriculture and consumer goods, to permit the peasants to leave the co-operatives and to aid them in re-establishing private farms. It has also pledged to eliminate forced labor camps. -7 TOPT 11 Aug 53 3.5(c) Approved for Release: 2019/07/10 CO2026928