CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00975A000600140001-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 8, 2003
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: March 11, 1952
• Content Type: REPORT

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11 March 1952
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CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN
DOCUMENT NO. _ ._- -.1 - ---a~
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AUTH: Nfi 70-2
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State Department review completed
office of Current Intelligence
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
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SUMMARY
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FAR EAST
1. Political tension in Thailand continues (page 3).
NEAR EAST - AFRICA
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o. britisn ore gn Office studying revision of Anglo-Iraqi military treaty
(page 5).
EASTERN EUROPE
. lan in Trieste plan demonstration favoring Territory's return to
Italy (page 6)..
8. French and British Ambassadors oppose pressuring Yugoslavia on
Trieste issue (page 7).
SCANDINAVIA
9. US Minister fears Icelandic political crisis (page 7).
LATIN AMERICA
10.. Comment on Cuban coup (page 8).
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FAF EAST
1. Political tension in Thailand continues:
Police Director General Phao was primarily
responsible for forcing the King of Thailand
to sign tha new constitution and thereby ca-
pitulate to the ruling military cliqu
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The American Embassy in Bangkok, states.
that although the militarist group is "only one step away" from the ultimate
goal of complete power, competition for Phibun' s office between Phao and
his chief rival, Assistant Army Commander Sarit, would create a serious
internal conflict, possibly resulting in violence.
Comment: The Phao-Sarit rivalr has
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been a threat to Thai stability. 25X1
as a result of events in the past tew aays, e chances of violence between
followers of these two leaders before 12 March are "even. "
In the past, compromise agreements on
Phibun as Premier have prevented the outbreak of violence between rival
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5. British Foreign Office studying revision of Anglo-Iraqi military treaty:
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The British Foreign Office is now formulating
tentative proposals for a revision of the Anglo-
Iraqi Defense Treaty in case the Iraqi Prime
Minister should feel compelled by domestic
pressure to initiate discussions on the subject. The Foreign Office is
considering modifications which would turn the two air bases now operated
by the RAF over to the Iraqis who would then invite Britain to use them.
Other suggestions are also under study.
Comment: The Anglo-Iraqi Treaty, which
provides Britain with the use of two air bases in Iraq and any necessary
facilities in time of war, expires in 1955. In 1948 the Iraqi government
which initialled a revision of this treaty was forced out of office. Since
that time the issue has been dormant except for sporadic outbreaks of
nationalist agitation, specifically following denunciation by Egypt of its
treaty with Britain.
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Pro-Italian elements in Trieste are planning
a demonstration for 20 March to mark the
fourth anniversary of the tripartite declaration
calling for a return of the entire territory to
Italy.
The American Political Adviser comments
that this action is obviously designed to commit the United States and
Britain to support of the tripartite declaration through the local Allied
Military Government's approval of the demonstration.
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7. Italians in Trieste plan demonstration favoring Territory's return to Italy:
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Comment:
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Premier a Gasperi is undoubtedly giving uno icia up-
port to the proposed demonstration as a means of strengthening popular
support for his Western-oriented government in face of the forthcoming
Italian elections.
8. French and British Ambassadors oppose pressuring Yugoslaviaon Trieste
issue:
about a solution of the Trieste issue. They believe that the application of
pressure would undermine the current Western policy of buttressing
Yugoslav independence by supplying aid with no political conditions.
According to the American Charge, the.French
and British Ambassadors in Belgrade are very
much opposed to the employment of economic
pressure on Yugoslavia in order to bring
SCANDINAVIA
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9. US Minister fears Icelandic political crisis:
that "a serious political situation must be anticipated.," A withdrawal of
the Progressives, particularl on the eve of Admiral McCormick's visit
to Iceland next week, would gravely prejudice current US efforts to con-
clude detailed arrangements for additional defense facilities.
The American Minister to Iceland reports that
party conflicts within the Conservative- Pro-
gressive coalition government over the balance
of payments situation have become so bitter
The Minister strongly urges granting Iceland's
request for immediate American economic aid.
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Comment: The Progressive Party,. which
has for some time been seeking issue on which to withdraw from the
Cabinets violently opposes the imposition of additional import restrictions to
meet the balance of payments crisis.
LATIN AMERICA
10. Comment on Cuban coup:
The almost bloodless revolt precipitated by
General Fulgencio Batista is still in progress. Batista's success cannot
be determined at this time, inasmuch as he controls all communications in
Havana. All police and military officials in the Havana area appear to on
his side.
Batista, former dictator of Cuba, and a
senator since 1948, has been a candidate for the presidency in the coming
June elections. He headed the United Action Party, which placed third
in t4 e October 1951 party listings with less than 10 percent of the total
registered voters. Since that time, his chances for attaining the presidency
had diminished considerably, and it may have been his deteriorating position
which impelled him to strike this sudden blow.
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