CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1959/05/21

Document Type: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
03156040
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
U
Document Page Count: 
23
Document Creation Date: 
February 25, 2020
Document Release Date: 
February 27, 2020
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Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
May 21, 1959
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�{4{, T 0 3.5(c) 3.3(h)(2) 21 May 1959 Copy No. C bZ CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN DOCUMENT NC). NO Ct IANOE CI_Af3,7 ! C 1_ A &.-3. C I. N( .,17.4) TO: T.4,1S REVIEW DATE: rt,.40 AUTF DATL, 111_, REVIEWER 4 H 0t221, pii iZZZAWMIZMWiApproved for Release: 2020/02/21 C031560401/ Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03156040 CPCP CT Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03156040 Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03156040 TO RET 21 MAY 1959 I. THE COMMUNIST BLOC Kbrushchev to visit Albania on 25 May. 0 Soviet state security apparatus again pledges loyalty to Khrushchev and the party. 0 Rumania - Emigration to Israel sched- uled to resume. 0 II. ASIA-AFRICA UAR-Iraq - Harassment of Iraqi bor- rder_vill7es renewed. Expulsions from Kuwait arouse Iraqi military. Lebanon - Cabinet changes could oc- cur this June. Ceylon Government will probably survive leftist resignations at least temporarily. KMT elements fleeing Burmese forces occupy two Laotian villages. L'eRET Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03156040 Soviet Embassy in Burma refuses to allow arrest of TASS man. South Korea - Rhee invokes ordinance requiring detailed reports from polit- ical parties. Chiang says privately he will run for third term in 1960. I IL THE WEST Suspected Communist named executive director of Cuban agrarian reform. Sudanese army group plans coup. 'tor / - Approved for Raease: 2020/02/21 CO1156040 � ...LS1r----frElAlf, 1 CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN 21 May 1959 DAILY BRIEF I. THE COMMUNIST BLOC USSR-Albania: Khrushchev plans to pay his first visit to Albania from 25 May to 6 June. The timing of the visit to coincide with the original Soviet 27 May deadline on Berlin suggests that he wishes to play down the importance of the deadline and reassure the West that no unilateral Soviet ac- tion will be taken during East-West negotiations. While in Albania,Khrushchev may further define the bloc's attitude toward Yugoslavia. (Page 1) Watch Committee conclusion�Berlin: No significant 0 indications bearing on the possibility of hostilities. USSR-KGB: For the second time in two years, the Soviet state security apparatus (KGB) has taken a public oath of fealty to Khrushchev and the party. This pledge, an outgrowth of the recent state security conference in Moscow, was probably tj prompted by continuing party distrust of secret police activ- 01� ities. Its language also suggests that the regime has ordered the KGB to step up its counterintelligenCe )actiVitieS, (Page 2) Rumania-Israel: ewish emigration from Rumania to Israel will resume shortly, at least on a reduced scale. The Rumanian Foreign Ministry has asked the Israeli Legation to revalidate "some 130 Jewish emigre documents" which were issued before emigration was suspended at the end of \k") February. A strong Arab reaction can again be expected) (Page -3) TO CRET , /7/ 4Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C031566-4474/ZA,/ VA Y" 7/ -4 -// - � / (/4/4;/%/;'.,"/x ' / ,;;T7, ; 7..;/;',:,,�;,/�-7% Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03156040 ....tosa.r-----anumi t)Yr� IL ASIA-AFRICA UAR-Iraq: renewed harassment of Iraqi villages and outposts on the Iraqi-Syrian border, carried out by Syrian and "refugee" Iraqi tribesmen, the arrival in the northern border area of a Syrian delegation, led by Minister of Interior Sarraj and accompanied by the deputy commander and the chief of plans of the UAR First Army. There is as yet, however, no firm evidence that significant Syrian military gurmnrt has been given to these tribal elements. (Page 4) Kuwait: recommended that Baghdad take "decisive and immediate ac- tion" to safeguard the interest of Iraqis in Kuwait. This is in reaction to Kuwait's expulsion of reputed Communists, includ- ing Jordanians, Syrians, and Palestinians as well as Iraqis. The message identified those expelled as "elements support- ing the Iraqi Republic." (Page 5) Lebanon: A change of cabinet,and possibly new Moslem- Christian tension, may occur in mid-June, when the emergency powers of the Karami government expire. Some of the more ex- treme politicians favor new parliamentary elections this year, but moderates, including President Shihab, believe the elections 0� should be postponed until next spring when they hope prospects for a peaceful campaign will be better. (Page 6) Watch Committee conclusion�Middle East: Situations sus- ceptible of direct exploitation by Sino-SovietTiroc action which would jeopardize US interests exist in the Middle East, particu- larly in Iraq and Iran. The situation in the area remains pre- carious, but a deliberate initiation of large-scale hostilities is unlikely in the immediate future. Iraq: The Communists pursue their course toward control of Iraq. Qasim shows no signs that he is taking resolute anti- Communist action, although he has not as yet appointed Commu- nist party members to the cabinet nor yielded to the Communist 21 May 59 DAILY BRIEF ii TOP CRET pproved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03156040/71 'Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03156040 demands for the "legalization" of political parties. Ceylon: The resignation of two extreme leftist cabinet ministers and the withdrawal of some ten other leftist mem- bers of parliament from Ceylon's ruling coalition probably will not cause Prime Minister Bandaranaike's government to fall in the immediate future. However, his prospects for remaining in office until the next national elections, which must be held by 1961. do not appear very promising at this time. (Page 7) Laos-KMT: Approximately 500 Chinese Nationalist irreg- ular troops, fleeing from Burmese forces, have occupied two Laotian villages on the frontier. The foreign minister, prob- ably fearing that the presence of these troops will further com- plicate relations with Laos' Communist neighbors, has asked 04- the US to request Taipei to order their removal. Last March Communist China charged Laos with complicity in border in- cursions made by other Nationalist troops "based in Laos." (Page 8) (Map) k��' Burma: The refusal of the Soviet Embassy in Rangoon to allow the arrest of a TASS representative to ensure his appear- ance for a libel trial will be generally viewed by the Burmese as a heavy-handed flouting of the law. This incident may delay Burmese acceptance of the new Soviet ambassador's creden- tials and could have repercussions in Southeast Asia. South Korea: The Rhee government has provided itself with another strong weapon for intimidating the opposition Democratic party by invoking and expanding the requirements of a long-dormant ordinance of the former US military govern- ment requiring detailed reports from all political parties. Such reports must include membership lists, details of income and expenditures, and data on party plans and activities. (Page 9) Taiwan: Chiang Kai-shek reportedly told the Kuomintang (*central committee on 18 May that he intends to run for a third 21 May 59 DAILY BRIEF iii 11 , TOP RET ,k/p///p/To v""earrlizeTe7s"e7165"6/02/ 'C'6-31ggaEr A 're(' �(/ , � Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03156040 j_tir--b-EL.K IL I ,- Lte.rm as president next year. He said, however, that he would - not make his decision public until the National Assembly convenes j Th possibly in December. e American Embassy in Taipei reports that Chiang presuma ly desires to wait until a "draft Chiang" movement has reached "ground-swell proportions" before mak- ing a public announcement. (Page 10) III. THE WEST Cuba: A man with a long record of Communist associations has been named executive director of the agrarian reform ma- chinery established by cabinet decree on 17 May. Land reform is the key to the country's economic and social development, and penetration of its administration would provide the Communists with the means of building up considerable political strength in rural areas. (Page 11) LATE ITEM � *Sudan: he army faction headed by Brigadier Shannan plans to stage a coup on 22 May, ousting the present Supreme Army Council in favor of a revolutionary command council on the Egyp tian model. While some slight delay in undertaking this action i possible, a member of the group insists that the coup mechanism is already in motion. The principalobjectives cff the group, which represents radical nationalist junior officers, are reported to include a request for expanded American economic assistance, a deter- mined effort to achieve a settlement of differences with Egypt, and the removal of sectarian and party influence from Sudanese politics. The group also claims to have obtained Ethiopian concurrence in its plans and is said to believe the Sudan is particularly well suited to lead African nationalismi (Page 12) DAILY BRIEF 2V.VVV9 2,?924f99 /7919(..0 9 Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03156040V iv �14zAA3z9';gv.A. rriNTVITIVNI.201- Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03156040 I. THE COMMUNIST BLOC Khrushchev to Visit Albania Radio Moscow announced on 20 May that Khrushchev will head a party-government delegation which will visit Albania from 25 May to 6 June. The trip, according to the announcement, had originally been scheduled for last year. No Soviet leader of Khru- shchev's rank has previously visited Albania. The timing of the visit suggests a deliberate attempt by Khrushchev to play down the importance of the original 27 May Berlin deadline and to re- assure the West that the USSR will take no unilateral action dur- ing high- level East-West negotiations. Khrushchev will probably use the visit to press home new attacks on NATO. He may be joined by East German Premier Otto Grotewohl, who arrived unexpectedly in Tirana on 15 May for a vacation of indefinite length. Greece and Turkey�on NATO's southern flank�have-been criticized recently by Albania and Bul- garia for having concluded bilateral military agreements with the US. Khrushchev may also further define bloc policy toward Yugoslavia, a favorite target for Albanian propaganda. On his way home, Khrushchev may visit Bulgaria. Moscow announced in March that a "party-government" delegation would visit Bulgaria this year. Khrushchev has also said he would at- tend the 40th anniversary celebrations of the founOing of the Pol- ish United Workers (Communist) party in Warsaw in the latter half of July, and he is already committed to tour Scandinavia from 10 to 25 August. A central committee zm eiInJ. scheduled in Moscow on 24 June. CONFII ' 1TIAL 21 May 59 rCkITD A I IkITCI I irl�Ekirm DI e�riki Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03156040 Page 1 (ML1fllMFrAi Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03156040 Soviet Secret Police Reaffirms�Loyalty to Regime In a communique following the recent general conference of state security workers in Moscow, the Soviet secret police (KGB) again swore complete loyalty to the Khrushchev regime and promised an all-out struggle against foreign intelligence services. The meeting, one of a series called by various or- ganizations to discuss the work of the 21st party congress, was attended by party presidium member Aleksey Kirichenko, who is probably Khrushchev's second-in-command for party affairs. As on the 40th anniversary of the security services in December 1957, assurances were given that the days of arbitrary police power are irrevocably over and that the KGB is controlled at all levels by the party. This second oath of fealty to the regime in two years was probably prompted by continuing party distrust of the secret police, which may have accounted for the unexplained ouster of KGB chairman Ivan Serov last December. The American Embassy in Moscow has suggested that the KGB may have been quietly trying to increase its prerogatives and to justify its continued existence on a grand scale. In recent months, Khrushchev has indicated his intention to reduce the role of the police in the Soviet Union and to transfer some of its func- tions to "public" organizations. Moscow's accounts of the conference suggest that the re- gime has ordered the secret police to intensify its counter- intelligence efforts. Khrushchev's_ call at the 21st congress for a consolidation of state security organs was interpreted at the conference as a demand from the party for greater vigilance against the external enemy. CONFI TIAL 21 may 59 r'rk.11-17s Al ikiTri I i"rkir�n ni Ir�rik. Page 2 Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03156040 .cFr Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03156040 Exodus of Jews From Rumania to Resume tjewish emigration from Rumania to Israel apparently is about to resume. The Rumanian Foreign Ministry in the past week has submitted "some 130 Jewish emigre documents" to the Israeli Legation in Bucharest for revalidation of the Israeli visas issued before emigration was suspended on 27 February in response to Arab protests:1 (Out of a total of 17,916 Rumanian Jews who have migrated to Israel since July 1958, 3,360 arrived in March; most of them, however, had actually left Rumania by the end of February. Dur- ing the month of April there were only 25 immigrants. Registra- tion for emigration continued during the period of actual suspen- sion, at least for a time. Some 14,000 fully documented Jews still await permission to leave Rumania:1 LThe lack of any publicity on this apparent resumption indi- cates an attempt by Rumania to forestall the expected strong re- action from the Arab states, which are already aroused by the mere prospect of renewed immigration into Israel. Arab pro- tests against the previous immigration have been and continue to be directed to the Soviet Union, as well as Rumania. On thelasis of an Arab League Council decision in March, Arab diplomats have urged other countrtes to oppose the movement of Jews into Israel. On 17 May, Jordan said it had received agreement from five Arab countries to convene an Arab League summit conference to discuss plans for halting Jewish emigration from Eastern Enronp SEC 21 May 59 a."1.1.rri A I 11.rrei I1,-.,-kle�P. n� r.r.rik � Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03156040 Page 3 PrID CrAf Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03156040 II. ASIA-AFRICA Iraqi-Syrian Border Situation renewed harassment of Iraqi villages and outposts on the Iraqi-Syrian border by Syrian and "refugee" Iraqi tribesmen, tribes were advancing into Iraqi territory, and added that tribesmen almost certainly were "laying an ambush." A 17 May report from the Iraqi 2nd Division headquarters in Kirkuk informed Baghdad that a clash near the border involved "Syrian tribesmen supported by small Syrian army units." an Iraqi reconnaissance plane, check- ing on tribal concentration on the Syrian side of the border, was hit by Syrian fire but returned safely. A Syrian report of the same date informed Damascus that one border incident had in- volved strafing by Iraqi aircraft. the UAR has provided tribes- men with light arms and ammunition. A high-level dele- gation of Syrian government and military officials, including Syrian Interior Minister Sarraj and both the deputy commander and the chief of plans of the UAR First (Syrian) Army, arrived in the northern border area on 14 May, The Syrian minister of agricultural reform was also in the delegation, however, and the visit may be for the purpose of discussing various questions affecting both Syrian and Iraqi tribesmen, including the UAR land-reform program and the problem of caring for the influx of Iraqi refugees. The Syrian Government may also be concerned over re- ports of differences among leaders of the Iraqi tribes, some of whom have given up their opposition to the Baghdad regime and returned to Iraq. Others may be pressing the UAR to take more drastic action aimed at regaining holdings they lost at the time of the Mosul revolt. Available evidence does not indicate any significant movement into eastern Syrian by "regular" UAR military forces. 21 May 59 TOP ET 0-4C Et Al lkITI I le�Ekle"E DI III r�rilk Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03156040 Page 4 c Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03156040 Kuwait's Crackdown on Communists May Bring Crisis in Relations Wit'_ Iraq Military authorities in southern Iraq have informed Bagh- dad that the government of Kuwait, assisted by an Egyptian police official and British authorities, has initiated a "strong campaign of terrorism against elements supporting the Iraqi Republic." recommended "decisive and immediate action by our government to safeguard the interests of the Iraqis" by Kuwait. Baghdad's reaction is not yet known. There are about 30,000 Iraqis in Kuwait's population of 210,000. The Kuwait Government last week began a general purge of reputed Communists, including Jordanians, Syrians, and Palestinians, as well as Iraqis. The acting ruler expelled "200 Iraqi Communists" in the last few days. arrests and expulsions were the first steps taken to implement a decision reached in the Kuwait Supreme Council on 9 May to rid Kuwait of Communists. suspected Communists were to be dismissed from all government departments, and later from business enterprises. Non-Kuwaiti suspects were to be expelled, and Kuwaitis were to lose their jobs and welfare benefits. The origin of the Kuwaiti Government's in- formation on suspected Communists Is uncertain (In early May, prior to the anti-Communist action; the Ruler of Kuwait sought and received assurances of British military sup- port if measures against Iraqis in Kuwait should provoke a hostile reaction from Baghdad. Kuwaiti Army officers are training with th small British garrison on Bahrein, and Kuwaiti Army headquarters has established continuous radio contact with the British command there. Kuwait has also agreed to stockpile arms, including anti- tank weapons, and ammunition for use in an emergency by British troops, who would have to be flown in-.) 21 May 59 e^ekire A I IAITCI I le�nkiegr flIIuIrIt Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03156040 Page 5 rnivEirn Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03156040 � Change in Lebanese Government Likely in June The political situation in Lebanon, which has been rela- tively calm during recent months, may soon become more tense. The emergency powers of the Karami government expire on 13 June, and concurrent changes in the cabinet are likely. The resulting political maneuvering may cause re- newed Moslem-Christian conflicts. Two members of the four-man cabinet--Raymond Edde and Husayn al-Uwayni--have already indicated they intend to resign by mid-June. A program of administrative reform has been undertaken by the cabinet which has imposed a con- siderable strain on the four ministers. The fatigue result- ing from lengthy daily cabinet sessions may also have con- tributed to the obviously strained relations between the two Christians in the cabinet, Edde and Pierre Gemayel, leader of the extreme rightist Phalange. Gemayel is said to be- lieve Edde is too conciliatory toward the Moslems who, he claims, repeatedly ask for concessions without taking any cognizance of Christian demands. Gemayel also resents President Shihab's "silent neutrality" amid these disputes. An additional unsettling factor is the timing of new par- liamentary elections. Gemayel agrees with Saeb Salaam, the extremist Moslem leader, in favoring elections this year. Moderate leaders, including President Shihab, how- ever, prefer that they be postponed until next spring. They hope that prospects will be better at that time for a com- paratively peaceful change from the present predominantly pro-Western assembly to one more in line with Arab neu- tralist sentiment and more representative of the influence of local magnates. C f ZJJ 5 I 7 TE 11,4L 21 May 59 r'101'D A I IlkITM I irIckir= mi II I Milk' Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03156040 Page 6 Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03156040 Ceylon The resignation of two leftist cabinet ministers and the withdrawal of some 10 representatives from Ceylon's ruling coalition on 18 and 19 May probably will not cause Prime Min- ister Bandaranaike's government to fall in the immediate future. While the government presently commands only 45 votes in the 100-member Parliament, it probably will be able to regain a majority with the support of opposition members who do not wish to face new national elections at this time. Five independ- ent opposition representatives reportedly have already offered Banclaranaike their support. Furthermore, the opposition does not now appear sufficiently unified to vote the government out. Bandaranaike's prospects for remaining in power until 1961 are now seriously threatened, however, as he has failed for the first time to control and outmaneuver the rival factions in his government. Under mounting pressure from 10 moderate cab- inet ministers to oust leftist ministers Philip Gunawardena and. William de Silva or face a breakup of his cabinet, Bandaranaike compromised by curtailing the two ministers' powers but attempt- ing to retain them in the cabinet. His willingness to yield to the moderate majority and to risk iGunawardena's and de Silva's resig- nation probably stemmed from his determination to retain office rather than from any change in his political outlook. Bandaranaike's authority over a newly constituted government will be increasingly difficult to maintain, both because he may have to bargain for parliamentary support and because he has proved susceptible to pressure. Moreover, a government composed pri- marily of diverse conservative elements is likely to suffer from as much dissension as the previous coalition. CO TIAL 21 May 59 Approved ionr likele-a-s.e.:.102026.2721-ebi TEEO 4 o Page 7 Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03156040 NA: 0,:=-VILLAGES OCCUP BY CHINESE NAT iNALIST - IRREGULARS 90520 90521 Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03156040 r Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03156040 Chinese Nationalist Irregulars Enter Laos The entry into Laos of 500 Chinese Nationalist (KMT) troops fleeing a Burmese Army push is likely to aggravate Laos' strained relations with Communist China and North Vietnam. Laotian concern is apparent in the foreign minister's request on 19 May that the United States intervene with Taipei to order removal of the troops. Laos is already under propaganda attack from its Commu- nist neighbors as a result of attempts to integrate former Com- munist Pathet Lao battalions with the Laotian Army and the house arrest of Pathet leaders. Peiping on 20 May charged that these developments were a prelude to a military coup and the destruc- tion of the domestic Communists and called for "immediate" re- activation of the International Control Commission (ICC) for Laos. Last March Communist China's propaganda charged Laos with complicity in border incursions by Chinese Nationalist forces from Laos. Peiping can be expected to revive these charges to add urgency to Communist bloc requests that the ICC be reconvened. During April, Chinese Communist patrols entered Laos in search of KMT troops as well as refugees who had been crossing into Burma and Laos in large numbers. Burmese military operations against the Chinese National- ists probably reflect Prime Minister Ne Win's concern over indica- tions of a Taipei-supported build-up of the irregulars for possible use in future guerrilla attacks against Chinese Communist border posts. The onset of the annual monsoon rains will soon force the curtail- ment of Burmese military pressure on the irregulars until next October. et�" 21 May 59 0.r1.111.11 A 1 11.11TEI I 1"011.1/"C DhIuITIkI Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03156040 Page 8 nrouvrnE'RYEZA-T Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03156040 Rhee Administration Imposes New Restrictions on Political Activity The Rhee administration has imposed additional restric- tions on political activity in South Korea, probably as a further step in the campaign to assure President Rhee's re-election next year. The government information director on 19 May is- sued a memorandum requiring all political parties to submit re- ports covering their activities, membership lists, future plans, sources of funds, and details of their expenditures. Ambassador Dowling in Seoul observes that the measure will provide the ad- ministration with a strong weapon to harass the opposition Demo- cratic party and to intimidate persons affiliated with or sympa- thetic to the opposition. The order is based on American military government ordinance 55 for the regulation of political parties, which the government has not previously enforced. Requirements that ten days' advance notice be given of party meetings, that results of such meetings be reported within five days, that personal histories of party officers be turned in, and that future party plans be reported were not specified in the original ordinance. Invocation of an American-promulgated meas- ure, as in the suppression of the large pro-opposition newspaper Kyonghyang Sinmun, could be an attempt to deflect criticism. Acting under the terms of the new Local Autonomy Law, which provides for appointment rather than election of -officials, on 13 - May the government announced the most extensive change of pro- vincial governors in the republic's history, which resulted in ad- ministration stalwarts' gaining most of these posts. The govern- ment also took :. 'steps to consolidate its control at the grass- roots level by appointing local officials. These moves will under- cut the opposition Democrats at the important lower echelon of political organization and bring administration influence to bear on almost every asneet of the private citizen's daily life. 21 May 59 rrrs A I ik a-rt-i iiteN.1-16. i�-9^ in� II I 1--rik. Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03156040 Page 9 rywriinamerrit Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03156040 Chiang Kai-shek States Intention to Seek Third Term LAt the Kuomintang central committee meeting held from 15 to 20 May in Taipei, Chiang Kai-shek stated that after careful con- sideration he had decided to run again for the Chinese Nationalist rpresidency, Chiang definitely ruled out a constitutional amendment to permit a third six-year term and said that the central committee should decide how a third term could be legally arranged. The American Embassy in Taipei believes the constitutional hurdle could be cleared by a juridical interpretation of the constitution by some authoritative body such as the Council of Grand Justices or the National Assembly itself. Chiang stated that he would not make a public announcement of his intentions before the next Na- tional Assembly meeting, to be held in late 1959 or early 1960-.) Press reports of the central committee meeting strongly hint that Chiang will run again. One paper noted that Chiang has "left the door open for a third term" and another reported that ranking Kuomintang leaders rose one after another at the meeting to voice "unanimous conviction" that Chiang is indispensable until Nationalist China recovers the mainland. The embassy believes that Chiang desires to wait until a "draft Chiang" movement has reached ground-swell proportions before making his intentions known to the public. Vice President Chen Cheng, who reportedly had hoped Chiang would retire in favor of his own candi- dacy, asserted at a Kuomintang meeting on 11 May that some means would be devised to keep Chiang in office even if the constitution were not revised. It seems clear, therefore, that top party lead- ers had agreed beforehand on the position taken by Chiang at the central committee meeting.") CO NTIAL 21 May 59 ������ A � I 1. II...NA, � I 0.11. ��.� 1111 II IP...11. I Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03156040 Page 10 Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03156040 III. THE WEST Communists Expected to Exploit Cuban Land Reform Communist penetration of rural Cuba may be facilitated by the appointment of Antonio Nunez Jimenez as executive direc- tor of the Agrarian Reform Institute. The institute was estab- lished to implement the Agrarian Reform Law promulgated on 16 May. Nunez has a long record of Communist associations and may even be a member of the party. He is a widely known geographer and intellectual/ and has been influential in the rev- olutionary army and ministry of education, both apparent Com- munist targets. Prime Minister Fidel Castro retains the title of president of the institute, but his numerous other duties may keep him from giving it close direction. There is a report that "Che" Guevara, a pro-Communist revolutionary military leader, may take over the program. The Communists have already shown considerable activity in some rural areas, particularly in Oriente Province where they have staffed "revolutionary schools" designed to instill revolu- tionary fervor in the masses. They have also been involved in the formation of an armed civilian militia in Oriente. A dearth of trained and effective labor leaders without the stigma of coop- eration with Batista has given the Communists opportunity to gain influence in many provincial labor unions ostensibly led by 26th of July revolutionaries, mot of whom are young and inex- perienced. The long-awaited Agrarian Reform Law pisrthe keystone of Castro's still vague program of rapid economic and social devel- opment. Overconcentration on sugar production and of land own- ership has kept a very large portion of the rural population al- most without purchasing power. Several embassy sources feel the program may be of great benefit in the long run, but the law itself is so complex that it will require skilled and disinterested technological and administrative direction to succeed. 4:0 I D T A L 21 May 59 I����� � I IL I I I I L NO.., 11111 I ,-r IL I Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03156040 Page 11 CV! ND air Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03156040 LATE ITEM Sudanese Army Group Plans Coup The Sudanese army group headed by Brigadier Sharman plans a coup for the morning of 22 May, The group's plans, which have been postponedon several past occasions, are said to be fixed and the coup ma- chinery in motion, although some slight delay still might be "unavoidable.") Lille army commanders' conference in Khartoum on 10-12 May, which failed to produce an anticipated showdown between the Shannan group and the relatively conservative senior com- manders, was used to alert commands committed to the coup. Small units from the eastern, central and northern commands are reported scheduled to converge on Khartoum beginning 21 May in order to be able to forestall any attempted countercoup. The principal concern of the coup planners is probably counteraction by members of the Ansar religious sect, who have already been disturbed by the army's interventions in politics.] \The immediate purpose of the coup leaders who reflect the radical nationalist sentiments of junior officers, is to replace the present Supreme Council, headed by General Abboud, with a "council of seven." These seven officers are to set up a rev- olutionary command council on the 1952 Egyptian model, with Brigadier Sharman as the front man. One of Shannan's brothers, Lt. Col. Abd al-Hafiz Sharman, is scheduled to be on this coun- cil apparently as a direct representative of the junior officers, and if the plans succeed he seems likely to exercise an influence out of proportion to his rank.] MiThe objectives of the group are said to include presentation to the United States of a new list of requests for expanded eco- nomic assistance, and presentation to the UAR of a "fully devel- oped" list of suggested solutions for UAR-Sudan differences. The group intends to keep sectarian elements out of politics; it appears particularly anxious to limit the influence of the Ansafj S ET 21 May 59 Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C031-56040 Page 12 e rvIrre*-- Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03156040 "NIP' deaders� whose strength is based largely in the countryside where radical nationalist feeling has been weakest.) (The group claims it will do everything possible to assist independence movements in the rest of Africa. and it is said to feel that no country of Africa is so well suited as the Sudan for leadership of the continent. The conservative Emperor of Ethiopia is said to have been fully briefed on the coup plans by Brigadier Shannan and to have concurred in them. If this has been done, it is probably mostly an effort to parry any possible Ethiopian assistance_ to more conservative Sudanese elements.) 21 May 59 Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03156040 Page 13 rinNFIDEPALT- Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03156040 law THE PRESIDENT The Vice President Executive Offices of the White House Special Assistant for National Security Affairs Scientific Adviser to the President Director of the Budget Office of Defense and Civilian Mobilization Special Assistant for Security Operations Coordination Board of Consultants on Foreign Intelligence Activities Special Assistant for Foreign Economic Policy Executive Secretary, National Security Council The Treasury Department The Secretary of the Treasury The Department of State The Secretary of State The Under Secretary of State The Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs The Deputy Under Secretary for Political Affairs The Deputy Under Secretary for Administration The Counselor Director, International Cooperation Administration The Director of Intelligence and Research The Department of Defense The Secretary of Defense The Deputy Secretary of Defense Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs The Secretary of the Army The Secretary of the Navy The Secretary of the Air Force The Chairman, The Joint Chiefs of Staff Commandant, United States Marine Corps The Director, The Joint Staff Chief of Staff, United States Army Chief of Naval Operations, United States Navy Chief of Staff, United States Air Force Assistant to Secretary of Defense for Special Operations Director for Intelligence, The Joint Staff Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Department of the Army Director of Naval Intelligence, Department of the Navy Assistant Chief of Staff, Intelligence, Department of the Air Force Supreme Allied Commander, Europe Commander in Chief, Pacific The Department of the Interior The Secretary of the Interior The Department of Commerce The Secretary of Commerce Federal Bureau of Investigation The Director Atomic Energy Commission The Chairman National Security Agency The Director National Indications Center The Director United States Information Agency The Director c"/"NPLI NIT, A Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03156040 07,107:7172rA pproved for Relea �i2(::4(26/2/j2TC (