CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1956/09/13

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Current/Central Intelligence Bulletin Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 03178369
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 13
• Document Creation Date: October 25, 2019
• Document Release Date: October 31, 2019
• Publication Date: September 13, 1956

frf:�,1);t7fey1); Release: 212,1204,?317F,;71/7/M70,,/,,
i/
/ 13 September. 1956
Q
/ 3.3(h)(2)/
/ Copy:No. 1)5 3.5(c)
/
.�/
/), DmoocctENNGTENg.61,,,,,,,_ 0/
. .
% CURRENT
INTELLIGENCE //
7 BULLETIN 0 DECLASSIFIED
CLASS. CHANGED TO: TS
://f)
e/4/4 No4EXTI:EVIE-W DATE:
AUTH: 704
/
REVIEWER
/
/
7/ I/3.f
/
OFFICE OF CURRENT INTELLIGENCE 0
/#5, CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY ,//
4/Y /
004
4
/4/ 4/
0
/
/ /TOP SECRET /
fe /
Approved for Release: 2019/10/23 C03178369
Approved for Release: 2019/10/23 C03178369
valp, Nuri
Approved for Release: 2019/10/23 C03178369
Approved for Release: 2019/10/23 C03178369
vi ItLI
CONTENTS
1. EDEN PROPOSES USERS' ASSOCIATION FOR SUEZ
) (page 3).
2. SUEZ PILOT SITUATION
(page 4).
3. NASR SAYS REVOLUTION PLOTTED IN SYRIA
(page 5).
4. SHAH OF IRAN SUPPORTS US ON SUEZ CRISIS
(page 6).
5. REPORT CLAIMS VENEZUELAN TROOPS WILL TAKE
OVER ARUBA ON 15 SEPTEMBER (page 7).
6. U NU GOING TO PEIPING TO DISCUSS Spin-IATTRMESE
BORDER DISPUTE WITH CHOU EN-LAI (
(page 8).
7. BELGRADE MAY ADOPT ATTITUDE MORE CRITICAL OF
SOVIET BLOC (page 9).
8. HONDURAN CHIEF OF STATE RESIGNS
13 Sept 56
THE ARAB-ISRAELI SITUATION
(page 12)
page 11).
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 2
TOP SECRET
Approved for Release: 2019/10/23 C03178369
Approved for Release: 2019/10/23 C03178369
l".1 x....71:41L4AILL:i
1. EDEN PROPOSES USERS' ASSOCIATION FOR SUEZ
Eden's announcement before the House
of Commons of plans for a users' asso-
ciation to control transit through the
Suez Canal has been quickly followed by
signs that transit may break down within
a few days.
In Egypt, a spokesman for a majority of
the non-Egyptian pilots announced they plan to quit Friday
night. In anticipation of an early breakdown in traffic, Brit-
ish oil companies in London announced a halt to the charter-
ing of tankers carrying oil from the Persian Gulf to Britain.
Foreign Minister Pineau on 12 September
told Ambassador Dillon that the old canal company had agreed
to keep those pilots who return to France available for the
new users' association, and is already sending to Cyprus 60
pilots who have completed their vacations in Europe and have
not returned to work.
Faced with Laborite demands for his res-
ignation, Eden announced he would seek a vote of confidence
on the proposed users' association. Laborites were evidently
particularly disturbed by Eden's statement that Britain has no
intention of relaxing its military build-up in the eastern Med-
iterranean since military action may still be necessary.
13 Sept 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 3
Approved for Release: 2019/10/23 C03178369
Approved for Release: 2019/10/23 C03178369
`111111,
2. SUEZ PILOT SITUATION
Cairo apparently intends to keep canal
traffic moving if possible despite the
expected departure at the end of this
week of the bulk of the pilots. The
Egyptians presumably hope to be able
to utilize fairly quickly the services of
new pilots now being recruited.
30 pilots
are available trom me ubbit, about a
dozen from the European Satellites, 10 from Yugoslavia and
10 to 15 from Greece. Press reports have in addition re-
ferred to some 40 Chinese Communists, about 100 Western
Europeans, and a sprinklinz of Indians and .TaDanese as in-
terested in Suez jobs.
Should the Egyptians find that available
pilots cannot keep ships moving through the canal at some-
thing close to their present rate of about 30 to 45 per day,
they may enforce their 31 August order that all ships must
pay tolls in Egypt in Egyptian pounds, and close the canal to
ships which refuse such payment. This might reduce traffic
to a volume that could be handled by a much reduced pilot
corps. In view of the danger that such action might be used
by the French and British as justification for military action,
however, it seems unlikely thwould adopt such a
plan except as a last resort.
13 Sept 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 4
TOP SECRET
Approved for Release: 2019/10/23 C03178369
Approved for Release: 2019/10/23 C03178369
1 1..." I b.JL.J�... � IL J�I
3. NASR SAYS REVOLUTION PLOTTED IN SYRIA
Nasr claimed that some American embassy officials
in Beirut, the rightist Syrian Social Nationalist Party, and
Syria's former dictator Adib Shishakli were involved in the
plot. Nasr added that he sends the Syrian government all
the information he receives on the plot.
Comment Shishakli was in Lebanon in the early
summer reportedly planning a return
to power. His coup did not materialize, however, and he
was last reported to be in Paris. A small Iraqi force has
been stationed near the Syrian border since July.
13 Sept 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 5
Approved for Release: 2019/10/23 C03178369
Approved for Release: 2019/110/23 C03178369
Nue
v.*
4 SHAH OF IRAN SUPPORTS US ON SUEZ CRISIS
1 11G 0114,11 els that Egyptian
president Nasr must go, but opposes
the use of force on the Suez issue,
The Shari apparently favors the stand taken by the umtea
States, and believes it advisable to give Nasr "enough rope
to hang himself!'
The Shah said he would try "to open King
Saud's eyes" to the threat Nasr poses to other Arab, coun-
tires on his visit to Riyadh in the winter of 1956-67.
Comment
the
Shah urged Saud to "give the necessary advice...to the pres-
ident of the Egyptian Republic" to prevent Communist exploi-
tation of the Suez crisis; Saud answered only that he was do-
n g everything within his power "for reconciliation and peace!'
13 Sept 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 6
TOP SECRET
Approved for Release: 2019/10/23 C03178369
Approved for Release: 2019/10/23 C03178369
5. REPORT CLAIMS VENEZUELAN TROOPS WILL TAKE
OVER ARUBA ON 15 SEPTEMBER
According to a report received by the
American consul on Aruba, revolu-
tionary action on the island will be
sparked by a strike at power and water
p an s at midnight t on 15 September. The report asserted
that within four hours, ten companies of Venezuelan troops
would arrive to take over on the pretext that the govern-
ment has lost control.
The local police have informed the
American consul that they would be powerless in the face
of the reported plan, but additional Dutch police and ma-
rines are on the way to the island.
The consul notes that Irausquin, presi-
dent of the Aruba legislative council, and Jonckheer, another
political leader On Aruba, have had private meetings with
the Venezuelan president in recent months. He adds that
Venezuelan troop maneuvers with ferry boats have recently
taken place in Venezuela on the Paraguana Peninsula, 15
miles from Aruba.
Comment Despite nationalist sentiment in Vene-
zuela which advocates the eventual in-
corporation of the island into Venezuela, there is no indi-
cation that Venezuela has ever contemplated direct armed
action against the island.
Irausquin has been known as the chief
advocate of closer economic relations between Aruba and
Venezuela. He sponsors a workers' group which-early
this month reportedly planned to seek recbgnition as a
union at the Lago refinery on Aruba. The refining facili-
ties on Aruba are second only to those of Abadan, Iran, and,
according to a July 1956 US navy report, supply over 50 per-
cent of the fuel for the US navy and air force.
13 Sept 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 7
SECRET
Approved for Release: 2019/10/23 C03178369
Approved for Release: 2019/10/23 C03178369
6.. U NU GOING TO PEIPING TO DISCUSS SINO-BURMESE
BORDER DISPUTE WITH CHOU EN-LAI
Former premier U Nu has agreed to
go to Peiping to discuss the Sino-
Burmese border dispute with Chou
En-lai at the latter's convenience,
Nu will make the trip in an unoffi-
cial capacity and will not represent the Burmese govern-
ment in his discussions with the Chinese.
Comment The proposal that Nu undertake this
mission was apparently first advanced
by the Burmese ambassador in Peiping in late August and
agreed to by Chou. Its subsequent endorsement by Indian
prime minister Nehru probably was instrumental in caus-
ing Rangoon to move forward with the project.
The stress put on Nu's unofficial ca-
pacity indicates that he will go to Peiping to probe Chinese
Communist intentions without prejudicing the firm position
taken on the border problem by Prime Minister Ba Swe.
13 Sept 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 8
TOP SECRET
Approved for Release: 2019/10/23 C03178369
Approved for Release: 2019/10/23 C03178369
V.1 1LFJ1LN .C1.11.4
NNW
7. BELGRADE MAY ADOPT ATTITUDE MORE CRITICAL
OF SOVIET BLOC
According to British ambassador Rob-
ert 8 and' other Western diplomats in
Belgrade, Yugoslav leaders, including
Vice President Kardelj, now realize
they have "gone too far" in their uncritical sympathy with
the Soviet bloc and in their disrega..rd of the West's.driticism
of Yugoslavia's posture.
Specifically, Yugoslav foreign under
secretary Prica told Roberts that the USSR's unfavorable
press treatment of Yugoslavia's recent trials of former
"Cominformists" had caused the Yugoslays to question
their interpretation of "favorable developments in Eastern
Europe' Prica said that a recent Yugoslav editorial at-
tacking Cominform supporters, which had mentioned "var-
ious foreign papers," had in fact been directed specifically
at Pravda. The latter had inaccurately reported the trials,
and had sparked a series of articles on Yugoslav policy
throughout the Satellites.
The American embassy notes that this
is the first significant issue on which Belgrade has chal-
lenged Moscow since the joint Yugoslav-Soviet declaration
in June.
Comment The dispute over the Cominformist trials
harks back to the question of who was at
fault in the 1948 Tito-Soviet split, hence is part of the large
controversy between Belgrade and Moscow concerning the
meaning of "national Communism!' Belgrade feels that if
Moscow means what it says about "many roads to socialism,"
13 Sept 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 9
Approved for Release: 2019/10/23 C03178369
Approved for Release: 2019/10/23 C03178369
C-F-L 1./5124/ 11 I .ILZILLI
Igor
the trial of Yugoslav Cominformist "traitors" is none of
Moscow's concern. The Yugoslays were probably dissatis-
fied with the midsummer Soviet statements about the need
for international Communist unity, especially since one
Pravda editorial in mid-July attacked the "national Commu-
nism" concept by name.
The "many roads to socialism" concept
and its concomitant, Satellite independence from Moscow,
will probably be a long-term subject of pulling and hauling
between Belgrade and Moscow. Although for the present
the dispute does not appear serious enough to endanger the
basic rapprochement, the Yugoslays may take a less pro
Soviet line to obtain further concessions toward Satellite
independence. This would have the corollary advantage of
impressing the West that Belgrade is not being "taken in"
by the USSR.
13 Sept 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 10
TOMIDEALTITAL�
Approved for Release: 2019/10/23 C03178369
Approved for Release: 2019/10/23 C03178369
I...13LJ A.A.ol A
ikee
.019
8. HONDURAN CHIEF OF STATE RESIGNS
Comment
Julio Lozano resigned as de facto chief
of state of Honduras on 11 September
after a second heart attack. Former
president Juan Manuel Galvez, though
reluctant, will probably agree to assume
control of the government. Foreign
Minister Mendoza believes the elections
for a constituent assembly, set for 7
October, may now be postponed.
Galvez was a popular president, enjoys
the support of key army officers, and
will probably be able to maintain public order in a period of
transition from de facto to constitutional government. He
shares with Lozano the goal of forming a three-party consti-
tutional government and may be able to reach agreement with
political elements recently antagonized by Lozano.
An indefinite postponement of the constit-
uent assembly elections might increase political discontent.
13 Sept 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 11
SECRET
Approved for Release: 2019/10/23 C03178369
Approved for Release: 2019/10/23 C03178369
THE ARAB-ISRAELI SITUATION
(Information as of 1700, 12 September)
Jordan charged on 12 September that
Israeli troops crossed the frontier during the night and killed
19 Jordanians in an attack on a police post and that four addi-
tional Jordanians were killed when reinforcements attempted
to reach the post. The Israeli attack took place south of
Jerusalem in the area where the Jordanians killed six Israeli
cnlcliPrs and vonnnrierl thrpp on 10 Spntpmhor
A clash was also reported on the gener-
ally quiet Lebanese border. An Israeli spokesman reported
that one Israeli soldier was wounded when a Lebanese patrol
crossed the border and opened fire, It is unlikely that the al-
leged"Lebanese patrol" was part of the regular Lebanese army.
The attack may have involved Egyptian-sponsored fedayeen or
have stemmed from another of the "family quarrels" which fre-
quently ignore local political divisions. (Press)
The Israeli cabinet was called into special
session on 11 September to discuss foreign affairs and the na-
tion's security, according to a press report from Jerusalem.
There was no official announcement of the agenda, but the meet-
ing may have been prompted by the recent increase of border
incidents and by the Suez crisis. (Press)
, the Soviet
Union has agreed to sell radar and infrared equipment to Syria.
Syria probably ivants ihfiared equipment c-
cesses in night military operations.
13 Sept 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 12
/.;)41e//zi
--T-013-SEGRE-T
Approved for Release: 2019/10/23 C03178369