CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1957/01/24

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Current/Central Intelligence Bulletin Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 03161982
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2019
• Document Release Date: December 20, 2019
• Publication Date: January 24, 1957

V ,
#/////�
/0
/
//
// ///
tI
(00015007/7./004 �TV5or SECRET W
Ar Alff ir - r Ay .1' .0 _I or _0..
Approved for Release: 2019/12/04 C03161982,,
Ara47,/
CURRENT
INTELLIGENCE
BULLETIN
3.3(h)(2)
3.5(c)
24
January
1957
Copy No. 131
DOCUMENT NO
NO CHANGE IN CLASS.
F I DECLASSIFIED
CLASS. CHANGED TO: TSIOgrl
NEXT REVIEW DATE:
AUTH: HR Orig
4DAT1 I" REVIEWER:
OFFICE OF CURRENT INTELLIGENCE
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
/./
/
/
4
Approved for Release: 2019/12/04 C03161982
Approved for Release: 2019/12/04 C03161982
401%,
Approved for Release: 2019/12/04 C03161982
Approved for Release: 2019/12/04 C03161982
CONTENTS
r,,
1. HEAVY SHIPMENTS OF SOVIET ARMS ARRIVING IN SYRIA
(page 3).
2. ARAB TRIBES IN IRAN REPORTEDLY BEING ARMED
(page 4).
3. SITUATION IN INDONESIA
(page 5).
4. JAPANESE SOCIALISTS DROP MODERATE LEADERSHIP
(page 6).
FRENCH CHARGE IN LAOS UNSYMPATHETIC TO US-UK
POLICY THERE (page 7).
24 Jan 57
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 2
-T-t9P�g-FC-4r
Approved for Release: 2019/12/04 C03161982
Approved for Release: 2019/12/04 C03161982
1. HEAVY SHIPMENTS OF SOVIET ARMS ARRIVING
IN SYRIA
At least four shiploads of Soviet bloc
arms have arrived in Syria since the
end of December. At this rate of de-
livery, essentially all of the Soviet arms
contracted for in November 1956 ($25,000, -
000 worth) will be delivered during the first quarter of 1957.
the mili-
tary storage areas of the port are filled with ammunition
crates, artillery and some military vehicles. An American
official at Aleppo observed one convoy from Latakia consist-
ing of 115 trucks, some of which were transporting multiple-
barreled antiaircraft guns.
Although the Syrians are urging rapid de-
livery of materiel, the crated MIG-17 aircraft which arrived
in Latakia on 13 December apparently remained in the port
area until mid-January, when they were moved to Hama air-
field. Syria's desire to accelerate arms deliveries may in-
dicate preparation to oppose ai Israeli diversion of the Jordan
River in the spring.
24 Jan 57
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 3
Approved for Release: 2019/12/04 C03161982
Approved for Release: 2019/12/04 C03161982
2. ARAB TRIBES IN IRAN REPORTEDLY BEING ARMED
The Iranian chief of staff notified army
headquarters in southern Iran on 16 Janu-
ary that arms were being smuggled from
Bahrein and Kuwait to the Arab tribes in
lran "tor political aims related to the Arab League:' The chief
of staff emphasized the "vital importance" of the ports and oil
installations in the area and ordered strict surveillance to be
maintained.
Comment The smuggling
of arms to Arab
tribes in Iran, under Arab
League auspices, would sug-
gest that Nasr may plan to
expand harassment of West-
ern oil operations. Smug-
gling of arms from Kuwait
and Bahrein would be mere-
ly an extension of Egyptian
covert channels to these
areas. Security precau-
tions in the oil areas are
believed to be good, but
isolated acts of sabotage,
especially of the pipelines
between the oil fields and
the Abadan refinery, would
be possible.
24 Jan 57
JANUARY 24 1957
UNCI ASS1FIED 70123 6
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 4
�SlEeRET
Approved for Release: 2019/12/04 C03161982
.0."...0k Tar-veran. TITIT 1r
Approved for Release: 2019/12/04 C03161982
3. SITUATION IN INDONESIA
President Sukarno's announcement of
his plans for an "advisory council" ap-
parently has brought a reassessment
of attitudes among the political parties
remaining in the Indonesian government.
The realization that the council, under
Sukarno's leadership, would decrease
the influence of the parties is reported
to have had a restraining effect on some political leaders
who had been considering an early withdrawal from the coali-
tion cabinet. The Nandlatul Ulama party in particular, whose
support is necessary for the Ali regime's survival, is said to
believe that the cabinet's preservation provides the best means
of forestalling the early implementation of Sukarno's plans.
Meanwhile, army chief of staff Nasution
reportedly is going to Central Sumatra, for talks with dissi-
dent army commanders Simbolon and Hussein. Nasution is
believed generally willing to support Sukarno but probably
hesitates to do so publicly until he has restored his authority
over the military in Sumatra. Since army support is essen-
tial to the success of Sukarno's plan, Sukarno probably will
wait for at least a semblance of army unity before pushing
ahead with his plans for a "council!'
24 Jan 57
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 5
eONHDEq4((W-A-L
Approved for Release: 2019/12/04 C03161982
Approved for Release: 2019/12/04 C03161982
� �,..� 1 I AIL AL.-, 1 AIL
A
4, JAPANESE SOCIALISTS DROP MODERATE LEADERSHIP
Comment on:
The Japanese Socialist Party, which
holds approximately one third of the
seats in both houses of parliament, at
its national convention on 17-19 January
turned further to the left. Two moderate
leaders were replaced by extreme leftists and the leftists
gained a majority on the Central Executive Committee.
The party approved a statement which
included a justification--but not full approval--for the So-
viet intervention in Hungary, referred to American "op-
pression" on Okinawa, and called for abrogation of US-Japan
security arrangements, recognition of Communist China,
and repudiation of Nationalist China.
The left wing, with strong labor union
support, is attempting to create a "labor class party," and
the convention brought on an open clash with the rightists,
who desire to expand the party's popular base among farmers
and small businessmen.
24 Jan 57
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 6
"r" Trwl-rJr
Approved for Release: 2019/12/04 C03161982
Approved for Release: 2019/12/04 C03161982
Novi
5. FRENCH CHARGE IN LAOS UNSYMPATHETIC TO US-UK
POLICY THERE
Comment on:
The British ambassador in Vientiane has
concluded,
that the French cannot be
counted on to support US-UK efforts to block
et Lao officials into the Laotian cabinet. The
American ambassador comments that Soulie has advised Paris
not to oppose the formation of a coalition government but to sup-
port the Laotian government's 28 December agreement with the
Pathet Lao
The French may feel that by avoiding close
identification with US-UK policy they will be in a position to in-
crease their influence in a unified Laos.
24 Jan 57 Current Intelligence Bulletin
Page 7
Approved for Release: 2019/12/04 C03161982