CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1956/09/05

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Current/Central Intelligence Bulletin Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 03178363
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: October 25, 2019
• Document Release Date: October 31, 2019
• Publication Date: September 5, 1956

ipApproved for Release: 2019/10/24 CO3178363
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CURRENT
INTELLIGENCE
BULLETIN
5 September 1956
Copy No. 105
DOCUMENT NO.
NO CHANGE IN CtAS5.
1.3 DECLASSIFIED
CLASS. CHANGED TO: TS S C
NEXT REVIEW DATE:
AUTH: HR 70-2
DATE. REVIEWEM_
OFFICE OF CURRENT INTELLIGENCE
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
3.3(h)(2)
3.5(cp
fr/j
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CONTENTS
1. BRITISH BELIEVE EARLY MILITARY ACTION NECESSARY
ON SUEZ (page 3).
2. ITALY MAY MAKE DEMARCHE TO NASR URGING CAUTION
ON SUEZ ISSUE (page 4).
3. CAIRO SEEKS TO SET UP "OPERATIONS" IN KUWAIT AND
BAHREIN (page 5).
4. BURMESE AMBASSADOR WARNS SIHANOUK AGAINST
PEIPING (page 6).
THE ARAB-ISRAELI SITUATION
(page 7)
5 Sept 56
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1� BRITISH BELIEVE EARLY MILITARY ACTION
NECESSARY ON SUE Z
� Top British government officials be-
lieve military action will be necessary
in the Suez situation. They are not
prepared, moreover, to delay "appre-
mg a showdown, according to the American
embassy in London.
The British doubt that Nasr can be per-
suaded to accept any adequate international arrangement to
operate the canal that would demonstrate that he has been
prevented from making good his seizure� They consider the
prospects good for swift success in a military operation con-
fined to Egypt and believe such action would be welcomed in
the Middle East by Tunisia, Libya, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia
and Iraq.
Government officials tend to ignore the
increasing strength of public opposition to the use of mili-
tary force, apparently in the belief that the current situation
is a historic turning point for Britain requiring that the gov-
ernment take a forceful course regardless of the consequences.
Comment While a number of Arab leaders would
greet Nases downfall with private satis-
faction, they would find a concomitant increase of British
power and prestige unwelcome.
5 Sept 56
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2. ITALY MAY MAKE DEMARCHE TO NASR URGING
CAUTION ON SUEZ ISSUE
Premier Segni told Ambassador Luce
on 1 September that Italy wishes to
make a demarche to Nasr on 5 or 6
September urging him to give careful
C proposal on Suez being presented by
the committee of five. Segni said he was concerned that
Nasr might underestimate the united determination of the
18 powers. He fears that the British-French menace of
force may make Nasr either reject the committee's pro-
posals at once or draw out discussions for a long time,
thereby running the risk that incidents at the canal or in
Egypt would provide an excuse for military action.
Comment The suggested demarche would probably
have little influence on Nasr's position.
Segni's proposal springs from Italy's desire to raise its
prestige by active participation in the Suez affair.
5 Sept 56
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3. CAIRO SEEKS TO SET UP "OPERATIONS" IN KUWAIT
AND BAHREIN
5 Sept 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 5
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4. BURMESE AMBASSADOR WARNS SIHANOUK
AGAINST PEIPING
After recounting recent developments
in Burma's relations with Communist China, Pe Khin told
Sihanouk he personally would prefer to see all of South-
east Asia protected by the United States rather than going
in separate directions as at present. He said that Ameri-
can aid was preferable to aid from the Communists because
America would listen to reason whereas the Communists
remain immovable in their policies. The ambassador
hoped his representation would cause Sihanouk to have
some "helpful second thoughts'
Comment U Pe Khin, one of Burma's ablest diplo-
mats, will soon take over as his nation's
permanent representative at the United Nations. His re-
marks will probably not bring about any immediate change
in Sihanouk's policies; they are, however, a further indica-
tion that the Burmese are forcefully expressing to other
neutralist countries their disillusionment with Peiping.
Pe Khin's warning undoubtedly reflects
the state of Burmese official opinion. There is, however, as
yet no other indication that policy-makers in Rangoon are
considering an alignment with the US or with SEATO.
5 Sept 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 6
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ettATHDENT424-L�
THE ARAB-ISRAELI SITUATION
(Information as of 1700, 4 September)
Nothing of significance to report.
5 Sept 56
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CONFIDENTIAL
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