CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1956/09/29

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Current/Central Intelligence Bulletin Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 03183784
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 11
• Document Creation Date: October 25, 2019
• Document Release Date: October 31, 2019
• Publication Date: September 29, 1956

2)7:00/#frzy(tI(;):tio.,013?:or ReniT- 21Mil CO. i�31
://
/
29 September 1956 .4
0 Copy No, 5 07
e /
3.5(c) '
/ /Y/
3.3(h)(2)
e/ CURRENT ,04
/
.N0occ,,=0�.,,14.---.0e. /4
INTELLIGENCE
/ C..3 DECLASSIFIED /
/ CLASS. CHANGED TO: TS
:e., BULLETIN //
REVIEWER. /
./4 NEXT REVIEW DATE:
MYTH: BR 70-2
4/ OFFICE OF CURRENT INTELLIGENCE
DATE.
/'?/ CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY '',;;
7/
0/
/
/
/
/
11/
o'
V/
/
/
/
/
f.e.e .//1.,,/,,A
C03183784
TOP SECRET
Approved for Release: 2019/10/23
Approved for Release: 2019/10/23 C03183784 ".
Sari
Approved for Release: 2019/10/23 C03183784
_mckr) cv rs ri rr
Approved for Release: 2019/10/23 C03183784
*mow
CONTENTS
1. FRENCH-BRITISH TALKS CHART FUTURE COURSE ON
SUEZ ISSUE (page, 3).
2. YUGOSLAV OFFICIALS DISCUSS STRONG DIFFERENCES
WITH USSR (page 4).
3. IRAQ PLANS TO ESTABLISH MILITARY SUPPLY
BASE IN JORDAN page 5).
4. ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT AGAINST SOUTH KOREA'S
VICE PRESIDENT (page 7).
5. LEFT-WING FACTION MAY TAKE OVER BOLIVIAN-
GOVERNMENT (page 8).
* * * *
THE ARAB-ISRAELI SITUATION
(page 9)
29 Sept 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 2
Approved for Release: 2019/10/23 C03183784
� Approved for Release71079T1i0172 T C03183784
L FRENCH-BRITISH TALKS CHART FUTURE COURSE ON
SUEZ ISSUE
British ambassador Jebb informed Am-
bassador Dillon on 27 September that
the French and British agreed in their
talks in Paris that military action
/ would be resorted to only in the event of either a major
interruption of canal traffic or disturbances in Egypt which
would convince British public opinion of the necessity for
military action. They agreed to maintain their present
military forces in the eastern Mediterranean.
� The secretary general of the French
Foreign Ministry also told Dillon there was no discussion
of recourse to economic measures other than withholding
tolls. The French and British ministers agreed that their
resolution in the UN Security Council will call vn Egypt to re-
sume negotiations on the basis set forth by the Menzies com-
mittee.
Comment The French, who tend to blame the
United States for current developments
on the Suez question, appear to consider the talks as a
means of cementing French-British solidarity. Some French-
men are urging greater emphasis on European unity, and
Le Monde has suggested that a European bloc would be in a
strong position to deal with other powers.
The American army attach�n London
believes that the suspension of British plans to resort to
force as. reflected in the move on 28 September of elements
of the British Third Infantry Division to home barracks from
Southampton, where they had been awaiting sailing orders.
29 Sept 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 3
SECRET
Approved for Release: 2019/10/23 C03183784
cv r e�-�r T" Pr
Approved for Release: 2019/10/23 C03183784
2 YUGOSLAV OFFICIALS DISCUSS STRONG DIFFERENCES
WITH USSR
Yugoslav foreign under secretary Prica
told American charg�ooker on 28 Sep-
tember that he did not believe Yugoslavia's
ideological differences with the Soviet
Union could be surmounted, but he did believe Tito could
exert some influence on the Soviet Union. It was on these
grounds, he said, that Tito felt he could not refuse the invita-
ion to return to the USSR with Khrushchev. This was espe-
cially true Since Khrushdhev"%ad engaged his prestige" in
he policy of rapprochement with Yugoslavia and there were
trong forces in the Soviet Union which questioned this policy.
Antun Vratusa, secretary to Vice Presi-
dent Kardelj, told the Italian ambassador on 28 September
that Soviet-Yugoslav relations are at the lowest ebb for a long
time, and it would be a great mistake to regard the present
trips merely as friendly visits.
Yugoslav foreign secretary Popovic told
British ambassador Roberts on 27 September that although
Tito's trip to the USSR with Khrushchev "will make diffi-
culties for President Eisenhower" in determining whether
American aid should continue, "the need for the trip at this
time was overriding."
Comment Khrushchev may well have indicated to
Tito that there were very strong pros:-
sures in the Soviet leadership for clamping down on the
Satellites and retreating from the "independent roads to
socialism" concept. Tito may feel that there is a possibility
of moderating these forces somewhat, thereby avoiding a
falling-out with the Soviets at present.
29 Sept 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 4
-SEC�RE-72
Approved for Release: 2019/10/23 C03183784
Approved for Release:t'21-6,i'61/7017r3r1C031 83784
'Noe
3. IRAQ PLANS TO ESTABLISH MILITARY SUPPLY
BASE IN JORDAN
Comment on:
Iraqi premier. Nun Said told Ambassador
Gallman on 27 September that Iraq cannot
furnish Jordan arms or accede to King
Hussain's request to station an Iraqi divi-
sion in Jordan. He said Iraq would, how-
ever, establish a supply base at Mafraq,
35 miles north of Amman, for possible
future use if Iraqi troops should be sent
ere, and asked whether American arms aid might be en-
dangered if Iraq had to "act in defense of Jordan." Nuni
said a company or battalion Of Iraqis,wOuld probably beA4int
to Mafraq to guard the supplies, and asked the United States
to explain to Israel that this would be a purely defensive move.
CYPRUS
(UP)
4
LESIANOI
v Beirut
(,Damascus
/SRAE
28 SEPTEMBER 1956
24214
29 Sept 56
SYRIA
Hama
Horns
Reported
Iraqi Troop
Concentrations
SAUDI AR AB1A
���� International boundary
Railroad (Selected)
Road (Selected)
Pipeline
50 100 mesa
40 100 Kilometers
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 5
SECRET
Approved for Release: 2019/10/23 C03183784
Approved for Release7201171 67i.F C03183784
'\Pr'
Iraq did not sign the armistice with
Israel, which has indicated that stationing of Iraqi troops
in Jordan would be considered a hostile act.
After earlier Jordanian appeals to
Iraq, a small Iraqi troop concentration was established
on the pipeline near the Syrian as well as the Jordanian
border. This force, now about 32 000 troops, may be
built up to divisional strength, but fear of Egyptian,
Syrian and Saudi reaction as well as the Israeli warning
will probably keep Iraq from moving any significant num-
ber of troops into Jordan at the present time. Egypt,
Syria and Saudi Arabia suspect Iraq of having designs on
Jordan and Syria. A high Syrian Foreign Ministry official
told the US embassy in Damascus on 27 September that a
movement of Iraqi forces into Jordan would result in a
simultaneous entry of Egyptian and Syrian troops.
29 Sept 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 6
�SrfeRE"-P�
Approved for Release: 2019/10/23 C03183784
Approved for Release: 201971F/27 C03183784
4. ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT AGAINST SOUTH KOREA'S
VICE PRESIDENT
Comment on:
The attempted assassination of Vice
President Chang lvIyon--a member of
the Democratic Party--on 28 September
will aggravate the political tension in
South Korea, which is characterized by acute struggles
within both the opposition and government, investigations
of political loyalties, widespread replacements in the army
and government, and police harassment of the opposition.
The attempt follows abandonment by the ruling Liberal
Party of a plan to remove Chang from the line of succes-
sion to the presidency by a constitutional amendment, pas-
sage of which appeared doubtful.
There is no evidence which would di-
rectly connect the administration or the Liberal Party with
the attempt, although it is clear that President Rhee is
determined to rid himself of his unwelcome vice president.
Rhee's close associates report that since the election last
May he has become obsessed with the idea that the opposi-
tion is on the verge of taking over. On 5 September, the
president told his staff that if the opposition continues to
collaborate with the "Japanese and Communists," the gov-
ernment will have to take action. He added that Chang
"must pay the price one way or another!"
The assailant's statement that he was
motivated by Chang's "pro-Japanese" attitude is a refer-
ence to the vice president's repeated criticism of the ad-
ministration's extr7mist attitude toward Japan.
29 Sept 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 7
�SteRLET-
Approved for Release: 2019/10/23 C03183784
Tzr_
Approved for Release: 2019/10/23 C03183784
-Nye
5. LEFT-WING FACTION MAY TAKE OVER BOLIVIAN
GOVERNMENT
The resignation of President Siles and
the assumption of power by either the
left-wing vice president Chavez or Sen-
ate president Lechin may be Imminerit,
according to the American charg�n La
Paz. The charge bases his conclusion
on the generally increased and aggressive
interference of the Bolivian Workers' Con-
federation in affairs of the presidency.
The charge' considers it highly probable
that left-wing, possibly Communist-dominated, elements of
the confederation's leadership may be spearheading anti-
Siles moves using Lechin as a front. Meanwhile,
the disorders of 22 September
were conceived and directed by Lechin in an effort to dis-
credit Siles in preparation for replacing him with Chavez.
The charge comments that President Siles still commands
wide popular support, but lacks organized and armed
backers.
Comment The struggle between left-wing elements
of the National Revolutionary Movement
led by Lechin and moderate elements led by President Siles
has dominated Bolivian politics since the Movement came to
power in 1952. The election of a congress last June showed
that left-wing elements had somewhat greater political strength
than the moderates. The left wing endorsed Sides for the
presidency and had been expected to co-operate with his ad-
ministration at least in the early months.
Lechin has long led the nation-wide
Bolivian Workers' Confederation, which is generally anti-US
and is Communist-infiltrated at certain levels.
29 Sept 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 8
Approved for for Release: 2019/10/23 C03183784
Approved f�orRwelea�sve":-2019/10/23 C03183784
Noe
THE ARAB-ISRAELI SITUATION
(Information as of 1700, 28 September)
Israel
is trying to draw Jordan into a conflict, and that the Jordan-
ians would be well advised to remain _calm and avoid the trap.
He would not state flatly whether he thought the Jordanians
would respond with terrorist raids, as Egypt had in the past.
He did, however, express the view that Israeli raids andlor-
danian counteraction were acts of reprisal which were to be
met with local forces, and that they did not bring into force
Egyptian guarantees to support Jordan in the event of an
attack from Israel. Such guarantees refer to military opera-
tions designed to occupy territory, and not to operations
which constitute an attack followed by a withdrawal.
the severe demoralization of Jordanian troops and of
the population of West Jordan. He stated that despite the
evident Jordanian expectation of an Israeli attack in the recent
action at Husan, the Jordanian troops fought poorly and that
no reinforcements other than two armored cars were sent
to assist the assaulted positions. Demoralization among
civilians is indicated by the increasing abandonment of homes
near the Israeli border south of Jerusalem.
Decause of the unstable situa-
tion in West Jordan and the uneasy position of King Hussain,
Jordan would minimize the flusan action, as already evidenced
by the Jordanian understating of casualties and by the claim
of raving repulsed Israeli forces. For the future, he believes
that Jordan is likely to resort to clandestine terrorist activ=
ity against Israel, or that, following a breakdown of the
Jordan government's control, individual groups will assume
ths task nf riavrincrp hv inerensino hntlier vfoTence
Joraaman
2.9 Sept 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 9
Approved for Release: 2019/10/23 C03183784
Fri ��� irk el ,r-v ir", rri
Approved for Release: 2019/10/23 C03183784
Now*
authorities were reported making a "vigorous" attempt to
restore order along the border in the Jerusalem area, and
at least one �Jordanian soldier is reported to have been ar-
rested for promiscuous shooting.
Syria requested that Egypt dispatch addi-
tional arms to the National Guard following the Israeli raid
on Husan. A week earlier Egypt sent the National Guard
three shipments of arms by air and another by ship via
Syria. Dispatch of an additional planeload of arms at this
time is primnril a gesture to offset possible military assist-
Alice from Iraq..
29 Sept 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 10
TOP SECRET
Approved for Release: 2019/10/23 C03183784