CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1953/09/01

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Current/Central Intelligence Bulletin Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 02872270
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: July 15, 2019
• Document Release Date: July 22, 2019
• Publication Date: September 1, 1953

r I Approved for Release: 2019/07/10 CO2872270,
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CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN
DOOLJME7 IT NO.
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CHi.NCE CLASS,
CLA:T.IS. CHANGED TO:
NEX.f REVIEW DATE:
AUTH: HR 70-2
DATES 41 41 REVIEWER;
TS S topic
Office of Current Intelligence
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
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SUMMARY
SOUTHEAST ASIA
4:"./..French may break off talks with Cambodia (page 3).
2.
NEAR EAST - AFRICA
3. Change in Iraqi premiership expected soon (page 4).
tiOr Egypt reports some progress in Suez base talks (page 5).
WESTERN EUROPE
t,Italian premier modifies initial strong stand on Trieste
issue crisis (page 5).
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SOUTHEAST ASIA
I. French may break off talks with Cambodia:
2.
Commissioner General Dejean is pessimistic
regarding the outcome of negotiations with
the Cambodians as the latter continue to in-
sist that their five battalions now serving in
the French regular army be incorporated into the Cambodian national
army. Dejean says that General Navarre needs these battalions and
that it might be necessary for the French to break off negotiations to
retain control of the strategically important area west of the Mekong
River.
3.3(h)(2)
Comment: The Cambodians are very sensi-
tive to the French charge that they are incapable of defending themselves,
and are likely to interpret French refusal to turn over Cambodian troops
as a deliberate attempt to perpetuate Cambodian weaknesses. The cur-
rent mobilization program in Cambodia is being undertaken with intense
seriousness and strong popular support.
A probable factor in the French attitude is the
precedent which return of the five battalions would set in Vietnam, where
some 50,000 Vietnamese troops are still in the French regular army.
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NEAR EAST - AFRICA
3. Change in Iraqi premiership expected soon:
Several high Iraqi officials predict a change 3.3(h)(2)
in the Baghdad government within the next
two weeks, according to the American embassy.
Factors producing such a change would be
Prime Minister Midfai's long desire to resign,
etarrels in the present cabinet, and the failure of the government to
Initiate urgently needed reforms. Among the three leading candidates
for the premiership is elder statesman Nun i Said, for many years
premier and now defense minister.
Comment: A cabinet change at this time
would probably strengthen the position of the pro-Western rightist
group led by Nun!, who has already indicated his readiness to deal
harshly with nationalist as well as leftist activitities.
Nun i Said has� played a prominent role in
the Midfai cabinet since it was formed last Ianuary following an
election which installed a pro-Nuni parliament. Rumors last spring
that Midfai would yield the premiership to Nun i or a Nun-approved
candidate increased after King Faisal II acceded to the throne on 2 May.
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4. Egypt reports some progress in Suez base talks:
Egyptian vice premier Nasr considers
hat an "understanding" on the question
f the future availability to the West of
e Suez base was reached during the 27
ugust meeting between British and
Egyptian representatives, according
o the American embassy in Cairo.
Naar stated that no progress, however,
was made on the matter of duration of an Anglo-Egyptian agreement
or the time required for the withdrawal of British troops from the
base. He indicated that Egypt would accept a five-year agreement but
could not go to the public with a proposal for a longer period.
On 28 August the Egyptian ambassador in
Washington told the Department of State that Nasr believes the next
Anglo-Egyptian meeting scheduled for 3 September will decide the
success or failure of the talks.
Comment: Despite reported progress
on the question of future availability of the base, there is no indica-
tion that Britain will readily modify its demand for a ten-year agree-
ment.
WESTERN EUROPE
5. Italian premier modifies initial strong stand on Trieste issue crisis
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Although Italian premier Pella on 29 August 3.3(h)(2)
had threatened to resign should Yugoslavia
annex Zone B of Trieste and Italian troops
be prevented by the American and British
occupation forces from taking over Zone A, he appeared much calmer
the following day. He had also stated earlier that it would be "most
difficult" for Italy to remain in NATO following a Yugoslav annexation
of Zone B, but on 30 August he stressed to an American embassy
official his full Intention to carry on a strong pro-NATO policy.
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/Under this proposed solution, on which
Italy and Yugoslavia have in the past agreed in principle but differed
on details, the territory would be divided roughly along present zonal
boundaries, with certain adjustments along ethnic lines.
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