OFFICE OF CURRENT INTELLIGENCE DAILY DIGEST OF SIGNIFICANT TRAFFIC
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Collection:
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST):
CIA-RDP79T01146A000100060001-5
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RIPPUB
Original Classification:
T
Document Page Count:
10
Document Creation Date:
December 14, 2016
Document Release Date:
January 14, 2003
Sequence Number:
1
Case Number:
Publication Date:
March 7, 1951
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SUMMARY
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OFFICE OF CURRENT INTELLIGENCE
DAILY DIGEST OF SIGNIFICANT TRAFFIC
Date: e..
NOTE: 1. This summary of significant reports has been
prepared for the internal use of the Office
of Current Intelligence. It does not
necessarily represent a, complete coverage of
all current traffic in CIA or in the Office
of Current Intelligence.
2. Comment represents the preliminary views of
the responsible analysts and not necessarily
the final view of the Office of Current
Intelligence.
3. Marginal letter indications are defined as
follows :
"A" - items indicating Soviet-Communist
intentions or capabilities
"B" - important regional developments
not necessarily related to Soviet/
Communist intentions or capabilities
"C" - other information indicating trends
and potential developments
NAVY AND DIA HAVE NO OBJECTION TO
DECLASSIFICATION AND RELEASE.
NAVY, DIA and DOS review(s) completed.
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SECTION 1 (SOVIET)
25X1
Supreme Soviet Convenes 195 lid t martr Concern- Five-Year Plan
Not on Agend.a Embassy Moscow notes that the Fifth Five Year Plan is not
scheduled for discussion at the current session of th Supreme Soviet
but that the annual budget for 1951 is on the agenda. 25X1
Moscow TASS announced the "unanimous adoption00 of an agenda
to e discussed at the night session, 7 March, containing the following
four points, (1) Confirmation of the State Budget,for 1951; (2) Confir-
mation of the law on the preservation of peace; (3) The Election of the
Supreme Court of the USSR; (4) Confir i of the Decrees of the
Presidium of the USSR Supreme Sovieto COMMENT: 25X1
H. E. Salisbury, NY Times correspondent predicted that the budget would
show a substantially lower sum both percentage-wise and in absolute
figures than the amounts devoted to defense in the US. Salisbury expects
the resentation of the Five Year Plan some time during the coming months.
IThe item of second importance on the agenda is the
law for the preserve on of peace undoubtedly similar to those passed as
a result of a WPC resolution, and now in effect in the Eastern European
Satellites, the CPR, the Mongolian Peoples0 Republic and the GDR which
alone provides the death penalty as punishment. In the USSR the law may
well result in a more severe campaign against VOA listeners
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USSR. Soviet Remarks on UN Membership. In the course of a conversation
with a US delegate to the UN, Soviet Delegate. Malik, when queried about
Stalin's interview implying Soviet intention to withdraw from the UN,
answered that "what the General Assembly majority had done at this session
was making the UN a different kind of organization than had been agreed
upon at San Francisco." In answer to the same question, Assistant
Secretary General Zinchenko, a Soviet national, replied without hesitation
that Stalin meant no such thing, but that a great deal had happened since
Stalin earlier had referred to the UK as a useful "instrument of peace,"
In a report of a public lecture in Moscow 27 Feb,
propagandist Oleschuk is quoted as saying that "if the United Nations did
not respond to the representations of the delegation of the World Council
of Peace, the Soviet Union would have no alternative but to leave the
United Nations? COMMENT: The Moscow statement,
if quoted cot#?ect y and followed by similar specific references to Soviet
withdrawal from the UN, would represent a further development in the
Soviet campaign to intimidate and discredit the UN and to prepare for
possible Soviet withdrawal. It is considered that Soviet propaganda,
supported by a warning from Stalin himself, will soon have adequately
prepared the Soviet people for withdrawal from the UN.
"C" EASTERN EUROPE. CZECHOSLOVAKIA. Socialization of A_g ~aalture To Be
pteAped U According to an address delivered before the Central Com-
mittee of the Czechoslovak Communist Party by Secretary General Rudolph
Slansky, increased emphasis will be placed by the Party on the formation
of agricultural cooperatives and the elimination of the kulak class during
the coming year. The main task of the Party would be to lay the political
groundwork for the cooperative movement. Slansky pointed out the danger
of forcing farmers to join cooperatives and the necessity of using per-
suasion. The Party also must purge itself of deviationists in order to
intensify the class struggle against the kulaks or village rich. Long
protected by Sling and Svermova, Slansky claimed, the kulaks must now
be eliminated from the village by confiscation of their agricultural
machinery, by increasing their delivery quotas, and by expulsion from
the cooperatives which they have infiltrated. Other improvements to be
inaugurated in the cooperative movement are as follows.- (1) the intro-
duction of a wage system based on the "labor unit", essentially a piece-
work system; (2) simplification of the accounting system; and (3) the
introduction of two working shifts in the Machine Tractor Stations and
the indoctrination of the workers to become "apostles of Socialism"
within the villages. COMMENT.- The
socialization of agriculture achieves two Important results: (1) the
freeing of additional manpower for industry and mining, and (2) the
elimination of an anti-regime stronghold among the wealthy landowners
and the middle-class peasants. The emphasis on persuasion rather than
force indicates that the.Party recognizes the strong opposition to the
movement on the part of the Czechoslovak farmer and wishes to avoid the
disastrous consequences which beset the Soviet Union as a result of
forced collectivization.
25X1
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25X1
Aa pOI,AR'D Development of Air Defuse Command to be Hastened. The revelation
in the Government controlled press on 27 February that Colonel General
Ivan Lukich Turkiel9 a high ranking Soviet Air Force Officer, is now
Commander-in-Chief of the Polish Air Force was reported in 0 CI Dail 25X1
Summary
CONiMENTo The appointment o r is w s en the development o. an r
Defense Command in Poland similar to the PVO in the USSR. Previous informa-
tion has indicated that the Polish Air Force is in the process rgannilite
zation and expansion, apparently at a more rapid rate than any other
fricts
Air Force. Last fall a number of Soviet General and field grade
air-
Soviet j et s
were assigned to the Polish Air Force. In February 195e new
planes appeared at Warsaw/Bornerowo airfield which is occupied by a Polish
fighter interceptor unit. No other Satellite Air Force is known to have
received Soviet jet airplanes. Finally, new AAA regiments are being formed
in Poland.
nOn Italians 'reatened with Cud in coal Delivers?s The Polish Government
has approached the Italian Government and requested an additional 59000 tons
of high grade zinc ore in ret-ern for which Poland will increase he coal
quota to Italy by 809000 tons. The Italians turned the proposition
temporarily and the Poles countered by intimating it might be difficult to
maintain the present rate of coal deliveries to Italy.. Under the Italian-
Polish Trade Agreement of 15 June 1949 the Polish coal quota for Italy was
set at one million tons annually. In the first eleven months of 1950,
904,000 tons were delivered, The US Embassy Rome points out that this case
is typical of many more that will occur in the future. While zincltisynot
an International List One item, it is in global short supply9
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would prefer not to ship it to Eastern Europe. However, in view of the
increasing difficulty of obtaining adequate coal supplies, a firm refusal
by the Italians to furnish the additional zinc ore may ultimately become
25X1 untenable, COMMENTm Poland has used similar
tactics already against Austria and Sweden, and can be expected to do so
in the future.
"A" YUGOSLAVIA. Tito Takes Over Foreign Ministry. The Tugoslav Government
announced on 5 March that Marshal Tito will personally assume the post of
Foreign Minister temporarily because of the illness of Forei Minister
Kardel j o !jCOMMZNT.- 25X1
No explanation of r e s illness was made but a UP despatch states that
it was reported to be a spinal ailment. Kardelj, generally regarded as
Number 2 man in Yugoslavia, has held the post of Foreign Minister since
August 1948. On February 27 Kardelj delivered a long address before the
Yugoslav National Assembly on foreign policy, and as late as 6 March he
was still acting as Foreign Minister (announcement was made 5 March). On
the evening of 6 March US Ambassador Allen had an audience with him re-
garding a new Yugoslav request for economic assistance. It appears likely
that Kardelj is temporarily relinquishin? his post probably to undergo an
operation. In view of Titoas personal popularity, however, it is possible
that he is taking over the Foreign office in order to obtain greater sup-
port within the Party for Yugoslavia's foreign policy as well as to
bolster general Yugoslav morale at a critical time.
"C" TRIESTE. Deal Between Italy and Yugoslavia Reported. A Yugoslav official
in Zone B of Trieste has passed along a report, which he himself does not
believe, that at the forthcoming London meeting of Italian, British and
Yugoslav officials, the Yugoslavs will agree to (1) a formal economic and
military pact of mutual assistance with Italy, and (2) the incorporation
of Zone B as far south as the Dragogna river into Zone A and the incor-
poration of the rest of the Zone at a later date. Moreover, six separate
25X1 reports which have been received in Trieste suggest that such a do-
ve lopment is either under consideration or already accepted by Yugoslav
authorities, TISPOLAD Unger states that the coincidence of so many reports
of the same nature suggests the possibility that a settlement may be under
way. He further points out that the recent unofficial Italian proposal for
the absorption of coastal towns in Zone B by Zone A may have been intended
to prepare the ground, He cites as possible reasons for the agreement
Yugoslav and Italian apprehensions over a three power deal with the USSR
in regard to Trieste at the expense of one or the other; Italian fears of
growing independentist sentiment in Trieste and both parties' desire to
maintain Allied troops in the area. On the other side, Unger notes the
recent Sforza and Tito statements that the present is not a time for
settlement, the apparent desire of both Governments to avoid debate on
the issue, the apparent Yugoslav C&' stand in Trieste in favor of inde-
pendence. and the recent report of Karde 's idea of a condominium.
25X1 COMMENT. The weight
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of recent Yugoslav utterances and Yugoslav interests is against the
Trieste proposal which would furnish the Cominform a gratuitous example
of Tito's surrender to the West. In regard to a treaty Tito has re-
cently said that Yugoslavia has no need of formal pacts with the West
at this time. While Italy is clearly anxious for the return of all of
the Tree Territory to Italian jurisdiction, the Italian Government would
be reluctant to participate in a military assistance pact with Yugoslavia.
Italian officials have said that the security of Yugoslavia should be a
UN responsibility.
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SECTION 2 (EASTERN)
"B" JPN- Premier Razmara Slain. Iranian Premier Razmara was assassinated
Wednesday morning by a member of a fanatical Moslem sects The Shah
has requested old guard politician Khalil Fahimi, who was recently
appointed minister without portfolio, to carry on for the time beings
The press also reports hat the ro-Soviet Tudeh Party was not involved
in the assassination. COMMENT: Razmara's
-~-~
death will have a bad psychological effect on Iran. Despite his lack
of success in effecting the economic and governmental reforms of which
Iran stands in such need, he was the only man considered strong enough
to do so. Although he had roused. much opposition, he was respected for
his strength. His successor, whether he be Fahimi, who is more respected
for the number of times he has held office than for his great ability or
strength of charp r+f.Ar nr by a similar member of the old guard, will
undoubtedly be less able to cope with Iran's current internal tensions
and problems. Iran?s vulnerability to Soviet pressure will probably
increase and it will be more difficult to maintain a state friendly to
the West.
"A" INDIA. Speech of _Chinese Delegate to All-India Medical Students' Conference.
According to the Peiping radio, ra delegate from the All-China Students'
Association arrived in Madras, India, on 3 February to attend the All-India
Medical Students' Conference. In a speech to the Conference, the Chinese
delegate described New China's education programs and student life. He
also explained the significance of his government's campaign in opposition
to the US in Korea, and he expressed the hope that the unity of Indian
and Chinese students would ue strengthened to consolidate the friendship
betvreen India and China and to unite them in the common aim of world
peace. The Indian students responded to this speech with enthusiastic
applause, shouting slogans such as "Lon live Mao Tse-tung" and "Lon 25X1
live the People's Republic of China".
COMMENT: The Chinese delegate was apparently not brie a on me ica
subjects. In the future, the US will probably have to combat the
influence of an increasingly large number of speeches from similar,
politically-minded Chinese visitors to India. ,,
"A" Government's Ban on an "All-India Peace Conference". An "All- India
Peace Conference", scheduled to meet in Delhi next April, has been banned
by the Indian Government. Home Minister Rajagopalachari has 'stated that
there is no objection to the peace meeting as such, but that it may not
be held in Delhi in view of the ban on unauthorized public meetings there.
He further stated that it is not now in the public'interest to hold
international meetings in India and that a peace congress, re ardless of 2 5X1
where it was held, might be limited to Indian participants.
COMMENT: The Home Minister's rec e at o u is inspired international conferences.
His suggestion that he is prepared to refuse visas to foreign delegates is
additional evidence of the strong line being taken by him against local
Communists
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"A" BURMA. Socialist Conference inApril. Aung Than, a prominent Burmese
Socialist, claims that the Socialist leaders of India, Burma and Indonesia
desire to evolve a common program which would be anti-Communist in orienta-
tion, and that they will probably have a conference in Rangoon in April.
He further stated that the greatest difficulty in devAlLoAng such a ro-
gram was to shake the Indians from blind neutrality. 25X1
25X1 COMMENT: Although the participants in any such conference will
be ideologically. anti-Communist, none will oppose the-concept of neutral-
ity between the Soviet bloc and the Western democracies, However, any
effort to definr, neutrality or to specify the extent to which the
Socialists shall subscribe to this concept is likely to founder in lively,
but inconclusive debate,
25X1
25X1
"C" 1920NESIAo Government sggkesman exp sses syamn * p rl vt?~ csno Indepandaa3ce
A influential official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told the press,
5 March, that Indonesia welcomes plans to put the Mop:. can issue 'before
the UN. Before taking a definite stand, however, the Government is await-
Ing reports from its Ambassador in Egypt,
COMMENT-, Moslem interest in
the Moroccan issue is even more widespread than was reported previously
25X1
"C" Communist-led federation renews attack on Government strike ban,
The Central Executive of Communist-led SOBSI (largest labor federation
in Indonesia) issued a press statement 5 March urging the Government to
withdraw its strike ban so that labor may have a chance in its fight against
the attacks of foreign capital. The statement denied that labor strikes
cause mounting prices or imperil the Government9s position and charged
that the Government allows foreign capital to exhaust the people's
resources. SOBSI claimed that the an violates both the Republican con-
stitution and the Round Table Conference, Its statement proceeds to set
forth an entire labor program which calls for augmented production of
consumer goods, opposition to the current conversion of Indonesia into
a "war production storehouse," guarantee of fair wages, extension of chew
credit improved irrigation, and land for the farmers, 25X1
25X1 COMMENT: Since the proclamation of the Government's s rz e
ban, SOBSI has ordered a cessation of most strikes but has maintained a
public policy of reluctant cooperation to the accompaniment; of critical
blasts against the Government. Its cleverly stated press release serves
not only to defend its cause but to prepare the way for a renewal of
activity.
"C" PHILIPPINES. Om osition to Reform Legislation Continues, Congressional
opposition continues to delay enactment of tax and mini-rum wage legis-
lation despite President Quirinofla public warning that the US insists
upon these measures as prerequisite to ECA aid. An internal political
struggle in the Senate, which has contributed heavily to the delay, is
now being prolonged into the ninth week, The press agrees that Congress
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25X1 "A"
25X1
must act but indicates Washington authorities should be more V mpathatic.
COM7ENT: Philippine Congressional resistance
is based upon the desire of powerful vested interests among legislators
to avoid the adverse effects of higher and more equitable taxes on their
personal incomes and to prevent higher labor costs on their plantations.
"A" CHINA. New, assignment for NIEH Jun ehen? Peiping radio has announced
that P'ENG Chen, Secretary of the Peiping Committee of-the CCP, has
been elected Mayor of Peiping. COMTII.;NT: Signi-
ficance of above lies in fact th?. Mayor o eip ng,.until 1 March,
was NIEH Jung-chen. NIEH, commander of the North China Military Area
Special Army Grou (sometimes called the "Fifth Field Army"), visa recently
reported Ito have received orders to Korea with his entire
,command. A Peiping broadcast monitored by UP reportedly stated that NIEH
resigned as Mayor due to "pressure of other duties."
25X1
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25X1
C" KOREA. Communist ProMsa-Banda. Accounts for R?fugees from H~~ amhun~. Radio.
Peiping stated on 1 March that before pulling out from Hamhung, the US
Army herded 120 thousand civilians to the sea coast where the died
rv~Q ors v--re marsh -ne gunned or crushed by tanks. I 25X1
--P --I a S
u
propaganda explanation for the disappearance of thousands of North Korean
refugees who were water-lifted to safety in South Korea from Hamhung by
the UN Forces
"C" Assembl Pluralit Party is Pro?Rl?so. Ambassador Muecio reports
that the results of the recent registration of party affiliation in
the National Assembly indicate the pro-Rhea New Political Comrades
Association holds a plurality of 70 out of 175 seats in the Assembly.
The Ambassador interprets the fact that recent Assembly criticism has been
directed only at the CabinetRa ineffectiveness and not at President Rhee,
as evidence that the New Political Comrades have been Rhea-inspired to
counterbalance Premier Chang?s popularity and prestige. 1 -1 25X1
25X1 COMMENTS Rhee could easily be guilty of the type of back
th h Premier Chang
-
25X1
Co him even our,
stage maneuvering -which Muccio credits
is Rheeas own appointee. The President always has viewed the achieving
of additional political stature by any potential rival with keen disfavor.
"Cn Flantin cif Winter Crog? Ngsr Avery e. An ECA report indicates
that planting of winter barley and wheat are not substantially below
average and crop conditions are about normal for this time of year.
Current ROK agricultural output, howevor, is handicapped severely by:
(a) the shortage of draft animals caused by war losses; (b) fertilizer
1hortage; (c) neglect of crops in battle and guerrilla-infested areas; and
(d) direct v-ar damage to c r?ops in fields and in storage. Despite these
conditions ROK farmers appear anxious to produce max_Lmum possible in 1951.
no" JAPAN. Korean Demonstration iTop ailed by Police. On the basis
of a report that about 32,000 Koreans, including students, were assembling
at a Tokyo Korean high school, to stage an anti-Japanese demonstration,
approximately 1000 Japanese police were rushed to the scene to prevent.
a possible disturbance. COs It is
possible that the Japanese Communists could have been planning this
demonstration as the opening gran in their "March Offensive". The
Korean minority is a favorite tool of the Communist Party in Japan.
25X1
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