CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1957/09/28

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Current/Central Intelligence Bulletin Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 03190612
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2019
• Document Release Date: December 20, 2019
• Publication Date: September 28, 1957

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CURRENT
INTELLIGENCE
BULLETIN
Copy No. 136
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DATE . UtEVEWEA:
OFFICE OF CURRENT INTELLIGENCE
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
TOP SECRET
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CONTENTS
1. FRANCE NOW PROPOSES TO OFFER AR7S_TC7UNISIA
IN RETURN FOR "BROAD" AGREEMENT (page 3).
21-0
71-0
ER SOVIET ACTIVITY IN SYRIA
(page 4).
3. EGYPTIANS REVEAL CONCERN OVER SOVIET-SYRIAN
RELATIONS (page 5).
L-- 4. EGYPTIAN MILITARY PREPAREDNESS
21--0
(page 6).
5. OUSTER OF ARGENTINE PRESIDENT REPORTED IMMINENT
(page 7).
6. ECUADOR ORDERS DEPARTURE OF CZECH LEGATION
(page 8).
64c-- 7. USSR MAKES FIRST OVERTURE TO SOMALIA
(page 9).
28 Sept 57
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Nue
1. FRANCE NOW PROPOSES TO OFFER ARMS TO TUNISIA
IN RETURN FOR "BROAD" AGREEMENT
French Foreign Minister Pineau told the
American embassy in Paris on 26 Septem-
ber that France will propose a "broad un-
derstanding" to Tunisia under which Paris
would supply the arms Bourguiba desires in return for Tunisian
assurances concerning "current matters at issue between the
two governments." Pineau did not go into details but did make
clear that the French would expect to retain troops at several
points in Tunisia.
Pineau said he expected this step to evoke
criticism in the National Assembly, but of a less severe nature
than if one of France's allies were to offer arms.
Comment A violent split in the French cabinet resulted
from reports that Pineau had accepted the
idea of arms shipments by third parties such as Italy, Belgium,
or the United States. Paris has since withdrawn the approval it
gave Rome on 17 September to supply the Tunisians. Pineau's
latest move may be an urgent effort to maintain as much French
control as possible over the Tunisian defense establishment.
Bourguiba is unlikely to agree to the desired
commitments, particularly on the key issues of Tunisian support
for Algerian independence and the continued presence of French
military units in Tunisia. He probably looks on recent develop-
ments as a break in France's hold over Tunisia. Bourguiba's
popularity would be endangered if he were to accept French con-
ditions in order to obtain arms, when Egypt has already offered
to provide them.
28 Sept 57
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Nolo' Nuf
2. REPORTS OF FURTHER SOVIET ACTIVITY IN SYRIA
Comment on:
Recent reports indicate that Soviet
activities within Syria are accelerat-
ing in both the military and propaganda
fields.
the Soviet technical specialists being sent to
instruct at byrian army schools will include two specialists for
the weapons scheduled to reach Latakia on 3 October.
the recent shipment of 50,000 submacmne
guns and 2,000 light machine guns are for equipping the Syrian
army, rather than the popular resistance forces. The resist-
ance groups may be equipped with the older arms of the Syrian
army.
Another report states that a representative
of the Soviet press and propaganda office recently arrived in
Damascus to arrange for the printing of Communist propaganda
in Arabic for distribution throughout the Arab world. Under
present circumstances Damascus may be a better focal point
for Communist propaganda than Cairo, where Nash- has recently
stepped up anti-Communist activities.
28 Sept 57 Current Intelligence Bulletin
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3. EGYPTIANS REVEAL CONCERN OVER SOVIET-
SYRIAN RELATIONS
Egypt is making an effort to restrain
Syria from overcommitments in its deal-
ings with the USSR, according to the Egyp-
tian embassy counselor in Damascus. He
told the American embassy on 24 Septem-
ber that his government had requested both Syria and the USSR
not to undertake programs which Syria could not afford, and he
criticized some Syrians, especially Defense Minister Azm, for
announcing a "grandiose program beyond their capacity to im-
plement?'
The counselor added that the Syrian govern-
ment still must find funds for buying the home-grown agricul-
tural products to be used in paying the USSR, even though the
terms for payment for the Soviet arms had been softened. He
stated that Egyptian credit and materials were available for aid-
ing Syria, and that Syria and the USSR had been reminded of the
recent Egyptian-Syrian agreement on ecnomic union.
Comment These statements are the strongest indica-
tion yet received of Egyptian concern over
Syrian-Soviet relations. They suggest that Egypt's overt approval
of these relations will not keep Cairo from working against any
agreements tending to involve Syria too deeply with the USSR.
Such an attitude on the part of Egypt is in line with the position
which President Nasir has taken when discussing the Syrian sit-
uation.
28 Sept 57
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4. EGYPTIAN MILITARY PREPAREDNESS
Reference:
the Egyptian army has been on a
50-percent alert since 9 September,
primarily against the possibility of air
attack. Egypt is preparing to give
military assistance to Syria, but the only measure taken
thus far is to train Egyptian "volunteers" near Alexandria.
No mobilization is in effect, no army reserves have been
recalled, and there are no unusual air activities.
28 Sept 57
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CONFIDENTIAL
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Nsol 'tag,
5Q OUSTER OF ARGENTINE PRESIDENT
REPORTED IMMINENT
Comment on:
Important civilian and military backers
of the provisional government are believed extremely appre-
hensive over Aramburu's promise of free elections in Febru-
ary, fearing control would go to demagogic nationalists angling
for Peronista and Communist support. It seems unlikely, how-
ever, that any palace coup will be attempted as early as this
week end unless there are indications that Aramburu is unable
to control the Peronista-backed general strike that began on
27 September.
The strike is apparently part of a Peronista
campaign to regain control of Argentine labor, but its effective-
ness cannot yet be assessed. On 24 September, Aramburu
termed the strike plan irresponsible and unpatriotic and an-
nounced that the government would iioLeyendisquss the demands
put forward by the strike leaders.
28 Sept 57
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 7
ST7CR F T
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Comment
S DEPARTURE OF CZECH LEGATION
The Ecuadoran Foreign Ministry announced
on 27 September that Czech legation person-
nel had been notified to leave the country
within 48 hours or be expelled. The ultima-
tum was given to the Czechs at 1700 hours on
26 September.
The Czech legation, consisting of a charg�nd
a third secretary, is the only bloc mission in
Ecuador. On several occasions in recent months, Ecuadoran
President Ponce and other high officials have stated that the
Czechs would be expelled On
23 September, Ponce indirectly advised the American embassy
that he would oust the legation for involvement in the recent gen-
eral strike, which reportedly was promoted largely by Commu-
nist labor agitators and especially by Pedro Saad, senator for
labor and secretary general of the Ecuadoran Communist party
(PCE). The action may presage stronger government action
against the PCE and Communist influence in the labor movement.
28 Sept 57
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Novi *ire
7. USSR MAKES FIRST OVERTURE TO SOMALIA
- Three ranking Soviet embassy officials
in Ethiopia are scheduled to make the
first formal Soviet visit to the Italian
trust territory of Somalia on 2 October.
The composition of the delegation sug-
gests they may offer aid and propose the
establishment of a Soviet consular mission.
The USSR has already indicated its interest
in Somalia by arranging for Egypt to d,isseminate and broad-
cast Soviet anti-Western propaganda.
The British Foreign Office recently indi-
cated its concern that Somali fear of Ethiopian expansionist am-
bitions might lead the trust territory to seek arms from any source
following its independence in 1960.
28 Sept 57
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