CURRENT INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY SUMMARY

Document Type: 
Collection: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP79-00927A003200050001-3
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
S
Document Page Count: 
50
Document Creation Date: 
December 19, 2016
Sequence Number: 
1
Case Number: 
Content Type: 
SUMMARY
File: 
AttachmentSize
PDF icon CIA-RDP79-00927A003200050001-3.pdf3.02 MB
Body: 
Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 c %R-T COPY NO. 77 CURRENT INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY SUMMARY OCI NO. 0281/61 25 May 1961 1OFLI [iF #330166. CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY OFFICE OF CURRENT INTELLIGENCEDOJNMENTNO. 0 A NO CHANGE iN CLASS. ^ L1 D CL',SF---;FIED GL~c G r Nom.!. Fi::'J:~ V: R:2 360 DAi E: 20/-V, /(-q0 J C 0"' vim L'- gnu r7i 2L NOT RELEASABLE TO FOREIGN NATIONALS Y ArT x USE way 1AT k'I' ' CONTINUED CONTROL I ., fBo~ 3 30B 22 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 THIS MATERIAL CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECT- ING THE NATIONAL DEFENSE OF THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE ESPIONAGE LAWS, TITLE 18, USC, SECTIONS 793 AND 794, THE TRANSMIS- SION OR REVELATION OF WHICH IN ANY MANNER TO AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON IS PROHIBITED BY LAW. The Current Intelligence Weekly Summary has been prepared primarily for the internal use of the Central Intelligence Agency. It does not represent a complete coverage of all current situations. Comments and conclusions represent the immediate appraisal of the Office of Current Intelligence. Approved For Release 2006/12/28 - IA-R P79-00927AO03200050001-3 SEC ET --? CURRENT INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY SUMMARY 25 May 1961 THE WEEI.K i'IN BR IEF LAOS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 1 Kong Le - Pathet Lao forces, while observing a cease-fire on most fronts, are continuing their attacks against the government's Meo guerrilla bases, particu- larly in the Pa Dong area. Intensified efforts to elimi- nate these pockets of government forces are expected. The talks at Namone remain deadlocked on most issues, although there.-is agreement among the three groups to "examine" a proposal for a unified delegation to Geneva representing the "Kingdom of Laos" rather than any Laotian "government." The conference at Geneva has done little more than mark time during the past week. (Secret Nof orn ) SOUTH KOREA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 4 There are indications of a growing split in the Su- preme Council for National Reconstruction between Maj. Gen. Pak Chang-hui, architect of the 16 May coup, and Army Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Chang To-yong, titular head of the.council. Chang is believed to favor an early re- turn to civilian government rather than an indefinite period of military rule. The new group lacks capable administrators, particularly in the economic field, where growing confusion has brought business activities almost to a standstill. While there is no evidence of North Korean military preparations to take advantage of the unsettled situation, dissension within the coup group could make South Korea increasingly susceptible to Com- munist propaganda and subversion. (Confidential) SOVIET NEWS TREATMENT OF KENNEDY-KHRUSHCHEV MEETING . . . Page 5 Moscow has given the planned meeting between the President and Khrushchev a generally optimistic ap- praisal but has refrained from editorial comment. Soviet media describe it as an important and timely step which could contribute to a relaxation of tensions and lead to further high-level meetings. Moscow attempts to convey the impression that the meeting is mainly the result of US initiative and is a "sign" that forces in the US now favor improving relations with the USSR. Soviet and satellite commentaries have listed Germany, disarmament, a nuclear test ban, Laos, and Cuba as possible topics. Peiping has reported the initial TASS announcement of the talks but has made no comment. (Confidential) FRANCE-ALGERIA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 7 Both French and Algerian delegations appear to have been favorably impressed by the initial sessions of the Evian negotiations, but the Algerians continue skeptical of French willingness to relinquish direct and indirect SECRET i BRIEFS Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 SECRET CURRENT INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY SUMMARY 25 May 1961 authority throughout Algeria, including the Sahara. As the talks proceed, the French Government may find that its most pressing problem is the continuing activity of right-wing extremists determined to stop Algerian inde- pendence by any means; there are reports that some of them may attempt to assassinate De Gaulle. (Secret) Kasavubu and his supporters remain firm in their decision to reconvene parliament in Leopoldville, al- though Gizenga continues to demand that it meet in Kamina. There are indications that Leopoldville is negotiating with Tshombd1s successors to assure Katanga's participation in a Congo federation as desired by Kasavubu. Leopoldville probably believes that its hand has been strengthened by its success in blocking the return of UN representative Dayal. (Secret Noforn) . Page 8 IRAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 10 Prime Minister All Amini has made announcements calculated to convince the public that his government is efficient and frugal and is pushing reforms in the public interest. Contrary to earlier indications, the National Front apparently will remain in opposition to Amini, as it has to every government since the collapse of the Mossadeq regime in 1953. The government has also denounced rumors of a military coup, and a govern- ment spokesman has asserted that "the overwhelming majority" of army officers are loyal, (Secret Noforn) . Page 11 Castro's prisoners-for-tractors offer has attracted unfavorable press comment in other Latin American coun- tries, being viewed as similar to the Eichmann prisoners- for-trucks offer of World War II. Castro was probably influenced by this reaction in making his statement of 22 May insisting that the transaction, if consummated, would represent "indemnification" of Cuba rather than an exchange. The special Cuban "good-will mission," which has just visited Brazil on its tour of Latin American countries, was reportedly "disappointed" by its visit to Mexico but is likely to meet a more favor- able reception from the Velasco government in Ecuador. (Secret Noforn) BRAZILIAN POLICY TOWARD AFRICA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 12 President Quadros is vigorously seeking diplomatic and cultural contacts with the new nations of Africa in furtherance of Brazil's expanding role in world affairs. He has set up an African scholarship program, is rapidly establishing diplomatic and consular missions in the new nations, and can no longer be expected to give Portugal support for its policy in Africa. Brazil also is interested in obtaining African cooperation in reaching SECRET Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927A003200050001-3 SECRET CURRENT INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY SUMMARY 25 May 1961 pricing and marketing agreements for coffee and prob- ably for other tropical products. (Secret) EL SALVADOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 14 The provisional government of El Salvador is con- trolled by young army officers who are strongly anti- Communist and apparently united in support of a program of socio-economic reform. Members of the "14-family" elite which has long dominated the country are de- scribed as "stunned" by the pro-reform attitude of their traditional allies, the army and the church. Some senior officers, displaced or exiled after the coups of ]ast October and January, are reported planning a return to power but do not seem to have the military support needed for success at this time. (Secret) KOZLOV'S ILLNESS AND THE SUCCESSION . . . . . . . . . . . Page 15 Party secretary Frol Kozlov,believed to be KhrushcheVs choice as his successor, has been convalescing from a heart attack since late April. Should Kozlov's illness seriously curtail his activities after his expected re- turn to duty in early June, political maneuvering among Khrushchev's other lieutenants for the succession would almost certainly be intensified. (Confidential) SOVIET CONSUMER GOODS PRODUCTION TO INCREASE . . . . . . . Page 16 A change in Soviet economic policy favoring the consumer is implied by Khrushchev's recent remark at the British Fair in Moscow that the USSR's light industry and heavy industry will develop at the same pace. Be- cause the light industrial base is very small compared with that of heavy industry, such a change can be ac- complished by a relatively small shift of resources with- out affecting industrial goals set forth in the Seven- Year Plan (1959-65). Although Khrushchev's remarks have not yet appeared in the Soviet press, a recent arti- cle in the party journal denied that it is "bourgeois" to improve the supply of consumer goods. (Confidential) PROBLEMS OF ECONOMIC ORGANIZATION IN USSR . . . . . . . . Page 17 Soviet economists, industrial and agricultural mana- gers and technicians, and possibly even certain top political leaders are in sharp disagreement over the ad- ministration of important elements of the USSR's econ- omy. Although it does not seem likely that these dis- agreements will impede economic progress, Khrushchev will probably make a strong effort to resolve the more serious controversies before the convening of the 22nd party congress in October. He will probably undertake further organizational experimentations and shuffling of personnel. (Secret Noforn) SECRET i Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927A - Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 SECRET CURRENT INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY SUMMARY 25 May 1961 EAST GERMAN CAMPAIGN FOR RECOGNITION . . . . . . . . . . . Page 19 East Germany's campaign for de facto recognition has recently scored some advances in the Middle East, West Africa, and Brazil. The most notable was the UAR's grant of consular status to the East German trade office in Damascus, despite strong West German protests. While Bonn has been able to deter formal diplomatic recognition of the Ulbricht regime, it is finding it increasingly difficult to prevent the establishment of East German consulates and fears that the UAR's action may encourage others to follow suit. Bonn is also greatly concerned over the possibility that President Quadros may permit a high-level East German visit to Brazil--a move which Ulbricht would view as a major triumph. (Secret Noforn) BLOC MILITARY AID TO THE UAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 20 Political friction between Moscow and Cairo, which flared up again recently, apparently has not affected the bloc's military collaboration with the UAR. Financial arrangements, UAR requests for more advanced weapons, and Soviet delays in supplying spare parts and new equipment have caused difficulties since 1958 but have not prevented conclusion of new agreements, nor have they altered the UAR's almost complete dependence on the bloc for military supplies. Bloc military deliveries this year--apparently in accordance with the new agree- ments concluded in 1960--have included MIG-19s, T-54 tanks, and a variety of other items. (Secret Noforn) AFGHAN-PAKISTANI BORDER CLASHES . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 21 The Pushtoonistan dispute between Afghanistan and Pakistan, which has been marked by sporadic clashes and almost continuous propaganda warfare since 1947, has flared up again. About 1,000 Afghan troops disguised as tribesmen attacked Pakistani garrisons near the border on 22 May, and Pakistani jets bombed dissident tribal concentrations near the border. Each side probably wants to avoid major hostilities, but will be under pressure to take whatever action is necessary to avoid a loss of prestige among the Pushtoon tribes on both sides of the border. (Secret Noforn) AFRICANS PLANNING GENERAL STRIKE IN SOUTH AFRICA . . . . . Page 23 The Communist-dominated National Action Council, the most active nonwhite nationalist organization in South Africa, has called for a three-day strike be- ginning on 29 May. The leader of the movement says that no violence is planned; tension is rising, how- ever, in both the white and non-European communities. The government is steadily increasing its security precautions. (Secret Noforn) SECRET iv Approved For Release 2006/12/28 - - - Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927A003200050001-3 SECRET CURRENT INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY SUMMARY 25 May 1961 DEVELOPMENTS IN SURINAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 24 Surinam (Dutch Guiana), which supplies about 20 per- cent of the free world's bauxite, will seek a greater de- gree of autonomy from the Netherlands in preliminary talks opening in The Hague on 29 May. Local political leaders believe greater autonomy would help Surinam gain 25x1 assistance from the United Nations and the West for the economic and social development the country seeks. Although Surinam has little common cultural background with neighboring countries, its leaders maintain that it must also strengthen ties with the Latin American re- publics by seeking association with the Organization of American States. (Confidential) SPECIAL ARTICLES NEW SOVIET CONSTITUTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 4 There are signs that a new Soviet constitution will appear some time after the 22nd party congress next October, replacing the 1936 "Stalin constitution" with one intended to be associated with Khrushchev. Published proposals foreshadow a document which will embody Khru- shchev's assertion that the USSR is engaged in the "full- scale" building of communism and which will be a reflec- tion of the Communist party program now being drafted. The constitution may create a new office of "President of the USSR" to give Khrushchev not only the formal rank of chief of state but constitutional sanction for his de facto powers. (Secret) SECRET BRIEFS Approved or Release 2006/12/28 : - - - Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 SECRET CURRENT INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY SUMMARY 25 May 1961 SECRET Approved or Release Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927A003200050001-3 SECRET WEEKLY REVIEW The Boun Oum government apparently is determined to boy- cott the Geneva conference on Laos unless it is recognized as the legal government. Its po- sition has been fortified by expressions of support from King Savang and the National Assem- bly and probably reflects Vien- tiane's awareness that virtual- ly the sole bargaining asset it retains is the validity of its claim to constitutional authority. Vientiane is at- tempting to have representatives of five pro-government political parties seated at the conference on a par with the delegations of Souvanna Phouma and the Neo Lao Hak Sat. This maneuver seems certain to fail. Vientiane does not view its stand on the Geneva talks as in any way affected by the conduct of its negotiations in Laos with representatives of Souvanna and the Pathet Lao. Aware that the government's concessions at the Namone truce site have appeared contradic- tory, General Phoumi has ex- plained that his strategy has been to appear willing to meet the opposition's demands for political talks in hopes of securing agreement on definite guidelines for the cease-fire. At the meeting on 24 May, the negotiators reportedly agreed to "examine" the question of forming a unified delegation to Geneva, representing the "Kingdom of Laos" rather than any Laotian "government." Members of the government team at Namone have privately complained that they are under a psychological disadvantage because of Vientiane's weak military position and because of restrictive and often con- fusing directives handed them by Phoumi. The Neo Lao Hak Sat representatives have as- sumed the air of victors dealing with the vanquished, and even Souvanna's political represent- ative, Pheng Phongsavan, has confided to the government del- egation that "it's not as easy as you think to keep a position of independence when you are surrounded day and night by these fellows." Despite this and other evidence of friction between the Souvanna and Pathet Lao political factions, there ap- pears to be no indication of any serious rupture on the enemy side. The International Control Commission (ICC) in the present circumstances remains ineffec- tive. The Communists hold that the ICC cannot regulate the cease-fire until military terms of reference have been estab- lished by the three Laotian parties. French Ambassador Falaize recently commented that the ICC had been thrown into Laos without adequate prepara- tion and facilities to fulfill its mission. He pointed out that ICC representatives are under restrictions in visiting the rebel headquarters at Xieng Kbouang. Although the military sit- uation continues quiet through- out most of the country, some skirmishing continues. The primary target of Kong Le - Pathet Lao activity remains the Meo elements of the Laotian army; Meo headquarters at Pa Dong southwest of the Plaine des Jarres continues to be un- der artillery fire, and intensi- fied efforts to wipe out Meo pockets of resistance are ex- pected. In south-central Laos, Laotian army sources continue to report a build-up of several thousand enemy troops along Route 9 between Tchepone and Savannakhet. Although these reports are unverified and probably are exaggerated, re- cent Communist charges of SECRET 25 May 61 WEEKLY REVIEW Page 1 of 25 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927A003200050001-3 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 SECRET SECRET 25 May 61 WEEKLY REVIEW Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 Page 2 of 25 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 SECRET attacks by Laotian and South Vietnamese forces in the Tchepone area could be used to provide justification for a renewed Communist offensive there. South Vietnam still has a small number of troops in defensive positions along Route 9 a few miles inside Laos. A recent Saigon report states that about 1,000 North Vietnamese and Patnet Lao forces in the Tchepone area have begun "aggressive re- connaissance" eastward toward the South Vietnamese border, where some Laotian troops are position- ed along with the South Vietnam- ese. General Phoumi met with Premier Sarit in northeastern Thailand on 19 May during a trip to southern Laos, and is said to have sought assurances from him concerning American intentions regarding a political settlement in Laos. Phoumi was reported recently to feel iso- lated and puzzled by the Ameri- can position on Laos, and to have undertaken his trip south- ward partly for the purpose of preparing the transfer of the Laotian Government in the event of a new enemy drive against Vientiane or Luang Prabang. During 'the opening round of the Geneva, Confer- ence, Communist bloc! spokes- men have concentrated their ef- forts on securing Western ap proval of the position that the 1954 Geneva agreements must form the basis for any negotiated set=tlement on Laos. The Communists' insistence on this point reflects their determination to achieve a settlement which effectively removes Laos from SEATO protec- tion, prevents the establishment of any form of international ma- chinery or neutral nations com- mission to supervise Laotian eco- nomic relations, and retains a bloc veto power over the activi- ties of the ICC in Laos. The Communists have main- tained that the SEATO "umbrella" protocol for Laos violates the declaration of Laotian neutral- ity made in 1954 and have in- sisted that the permanent con- 25 May 61 trol mechanism in Laos should be the ICC, as established in the 1954 Geneva accords. Gromyko has indicated to Secretary Rusk that the veto provisions in the Soviet pro- posals on the ICC are not nego- tiable. Gromyko has also at- tempted to play down reported cease-fire violations by the Pathet Lao, while continuing to assert the parity of the Pathet Lao delegation at Geneva with Souvanna and Vientiane repre- sentatives. In response to a Thai request of 23"May that representatives of Laotian parties supporting the Boun Oum government be seated at the conference on a rotational basis, Gromyko asserted that there was an understanding that only the "three forces" would be seated. In his speech of 17 May, the Soviet foreign minister carefully drew a distinction between Laotian internal and international questions and con- tended that the conference should not take up such ques- tions as a coalition government in Laos, the holding of elec- tions, and the reorganization of the army. By keeping these questions out of the conference deliberations, at least for the time being, the Communists hope to blame Vientiane for any delay informing a coali- tion government but at the same time to stress the Pathet Lao's willingness to discuss a future Laotian government. Bloc representatives at the conference have made it clear that they could not accept any control of economic aid to Laos. Polish Foreign Minister Rapacki called upon Laos to engage in economic relations on a bilateral basis, maintain- ing that international control would constitute interference in Laotian internal policy. The USSR, Czechoslovakia, Com- munist China, and North Vietnam have set up resident missions in northern Laos which could serve to implement the bilateral economic agreements Souvanna Phouma has already concluded with the bloc. (SECRET NOFORN) SECRET WEEKLY REVIEW Page 3 of 25 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 SECRET CURRENT INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY SUMMARY SOUTH KOREA The Supreme Council for National Reconstruction, the military group which has control of the government in South Korea, is continuing to consolidate its position and to neutralize pos- sible sources of opposition. However, there are indications that coup strongman Maj. Gen. Pak Chong-hui is becoming in- creasingly displeased with Army Chief of Staff'Lt. Gen. Chang To-yong, who is believed to favor a relatively early return to civilian government. Should Chang be forced out of the ruling ,junta, the regime would probably be strongly influenced by junior officers who desire an abrupt break with the past and an in- definite period of military rule. The retention of President Yun Po-sun as chief of state has given the insurgent govern- ment a semblance of constitu- tionality. Government ministries have been reopened and a new all-military cabinet appointed. However, administrative and technical talent is scarce, and most of those who qualify for important positions are tainted by association with either the Chang Myon or Rhee administra- tions. The shortage of capable senior personnel is particularly apparent in the economic field. The regime has taken stopgap measures to prevent a serious dislocation of the economy, but there are indications of busi- ness stagnation. Bank of Korea officials report that mounting administrative confusion is im- peding economic activity. The new government is com- mitted to improve living condi- tions. Unless it can fulfill its economic promises, it prob- ably will experience the same public antipathy as the Chang administration. Apprehension is developing among educated civilians over the repressive tactics of the military rulers. Political parties and organizations have been ordered abolished, and most members of the former adminis- tration have been placed under house arrest or imprisoned. A nationwide roundup of all left- ists and suspected Communists is under way. According to local press reports, between 3,000 and 4,000 persons, many of them probably hoodlums and criminals, have been seized. Strict press and radio censor- ship has been imposed, and many persons are reportedly listening to Communist broadcasts from Pyongyang for news of events in South Korea. Asian Communists, whose cautious initial reaction to the coup suggested a lack of first- hand information, have now taken the measure of Seoul's new lead- ers, and hostile propaganda has mounted steadily during the past week. Peiping's People's baily charged in an editorial of 21 May that the US stage-managed the coup to maintain its "colo- nial rule." Speaking at a rally of 200,000 in Pyongyang on 20 May, North Korean Vice Premier Kim I1 called on the South Korean population to smash the coup; Pyongyang earlier had urged all South Korean military personnel to resist the coup leaders. The North Koreans have used the dis- turbed situation to renew their call for reunification, claiming that only by joining with the "self-sufficient" economy of the North can South Korea solve its economic problems.. While there is no evidence of North Korean military prepara- tions to take advantage of the unsettled situation, dissension within the coup group could make South Korea increasingly susceptible to Communist propa- ganda and subversion. (CONFI- DENTIAL) SECRET 25 May 61 WEEKLY REVIEW Page 4 of 25 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 SECRET CURRENT INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY SUMMARY SOVIET NEWS TREATMENT OF KENNEDY-KHRUSHCHEV MEETING Since the announcement on 19 May that the President and Khrushchev would meet in Vienna on 3 and 4 June, Soviet prop- aganda has made the meeting a major topic of comment. The talks between the two leaders are generally portrayed as of great. importance and a timely step which could contribute to the relaxation of tension. A keynote of propaganda is the standard theme that the US and the USSR, as the two great pow- ers, bear a major responsibility for securing peace. In the only high-level comment thus far, First Deputy Premier Mi- koyan remarked at a reception for a British Trade Fair dele- gation that the talks would be important even if confined to an exchange of views. The Soviet press has avoided any direct editorial comment but has used quotations from the foreign press to con- vey a generally optimistic ap- praisal. The President's 22 May remarks to a group of So- viet journalists were reported in a favorable light in the Soviet press on 23 May. Mos- cow has attempted to create the impression that the meeting was dictated by US public dis- appointment with American for- eign policy. In a widely broad- cast commentary on 19 May, Mos- cow claimed that agreement on the meeting is a "sign that there are forces in the US" which are working for an im- provement in Soviet-American relations and a relaxation of tension. A broadcast to domestic audiences on 21 May states that "one would like to believe" that the United States under President Kennedy "merely swerved onto the senseless road" of the previous adminis- 25 May 61 tration and now has chosen the "correct road of peaceful solu- tion of disputed problems." Al- though Moscow has reported that the meeting was arranged through diplomatic channels and an exchange of messages, Presi- dential Press Secretary Salinger is quoted by the Soviet press as saying that the US took the initiative in the President's letter of 22 February. Soviet propagandists have carefully avoided predicting any outcome. but have suggested that further high-level meet- ings may be arranged. The New York Times is quoted for the v ei Tat although the talks would be of a limited nature, they could bring decisive re- sults. Some Soviet broadcasts adopt a hopeful note by point- ing out that there are no in- surmountable obstacles to im- proving US-Soviet relations and that the USSR intends to "do everthing to make the meeting a success." American press reports from Geneva were also published in Moscow in support of the view that the meeting in Vienna could lead to diplomatic talks and a summit meeting on East- West questions. In this con- nection, and editorial in the Soviet weekly New Times specu- lated that the Vienna meeting could lead to further talks at the "highest level." An East German propagandist stated on 19 May that the meeting could be considered a success if it served as only a starting point for future negotiations. Both Mikoyan and Soviet Ambassador Menshikov, however, evaded a reply to journalists' questions whether the USSR was planning for a series of meet- ings. Soviet diplomats in SECRET WEEKLY REVIEW Page 5 of 25 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927A003200050001-3 SECRET CURRENT INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY SUMMARY Geneva, nevertheless, have in- spired press speculation that one result of the meeting could be an invitation to the Presi- dent to visit the USSR. Moscow has made no attempt to outline a specific agenda for the meeting and has echoed the initial announcement that the meeting would be an exchange of views rather than a negotia- tion. Some hint of the subjects which the bloc expects to be covered is contained in pub- lication of foreign press re- ports speculating that the Vienna talks could "lift the nuclear-test--ban negotiations from the current impasse." A Hungarian broadcast states that the meeting might have a favor- able effect on the negotiations over Laos in Geneva. An East German broadcast on 19 May listed disarmament as the primary topic, in addi- tion to Laos, Cuba, and the German question, An East Ger- man politburo member in a speech on 22 May also expressed hope that at the meeting Pres- ident Kennedy would "recognize the need for a peace settlement with both German states." The West German press reports that in an interview a "well-in- formed Soviet official in New York described Berlin as the main subject for the talks in Vienna. Peiping promptly reported the TASS announcement of the meeting but has made no comment thus far. Background Soviet interest in a high- level meeting with the US was evident before the inauguration last January, In December, Soviet officials made it clear that Khrushchev desired an early meeting with the Presi- dent, either bilaterally or in a conclave of the heads of gov- ernment at the UN General As- sembly. These overtures were supported by public statements from Khrushchev and Foreign Minister Gromyko expressing hope for an improvement in US- Soviet relations. Soviet diplomats were also intent on determining in advance what gestures would be most conducive to promot- ing an early meeting, and the main purpose of the prompt re- lease of the RB-47 crew mem- bers was to remove possible obstacles to a resumption of high-level negotiations. In mid-January both Khrushchev and presidium member Suslov reaffirmed the Soviet policy of maintaining contacts with Western leaders. Although Moscow continued attempts to gain an invita- tion for Khrushchev to meet with the President during the UN General Assembly session, the Soviet leaders by late February had apparently con- cluded that this campaign had failed. When the idea of a meeting was raised by Am- bassador Thompson in his con- versation with Khrushchev on 9 March, however, Khrushchev was receptive. Although nego- tiations were suspended by the US because of developments over Laos and Cuba, Foreign Minister Gromyko revived the idea of a meeting when he called in Ambassador Thompson on 4 May. Subsequently, Khrushchev again raised the question of a meet- ing in his letter to the Presi- dent of 12 May delivered by Am- bassador Mensbikov on 16 May. (CONFIDENTIAL) SECRET 25 May 61 WEEKLY REVIEW Page 6 of 25 Approved For Release 2006/12/25: - P7 -00927A003200050001-3 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 SECRET CURRENT INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY SUMMARY FRANCE-ALGERIA Both French and rebel del- egations appear to have been favorably impressed by their first meeting at Evian and have settled into working sessions, being held on alternate days. The preliminary statements on 20 May reveal general agreement that Algeria's future status should be settled through self- determination, but beyond that the emphasis of the two sides differed, with the French stress- ing an early cease-fire and the rebel provisional Algerian gov- ernment ;(PAG) claiming sover- eignty over all of Algeria in- cluding the Sahara. Paris took the initiative on 20 May by announcing a one- month unilateral cease-fire, the transfer of PAG Vice Premier Mohammed Ben Bella and four other imprisoned rebel ministers to enforced residence nearer Paris, and plans to release some 6,000 rebel prisoners. This produced a strongly negative reaction among the rebels which, although later toned down, revealed a sensitivity and suspicion of French motives that will prob- ably be characteristic of the PAG attitude throughout the negotiations. The 22 May edition of El Moujahid, the official rebel organ, attacks the unilateral nature of the French action stating,"It was expected that the cease-fire would be subjected to an agreement by both parties during negotiations." The PAG on 23 May reportedly also re- quested that Ben Bella and the other rebel leaders held in France be permitted to take part in the Evian talks. The US Embassy in Tunis reports a consensus among ob- servers there following the de- parture of the PAG delegation that the rbbels desire a peace- ful settlement and will be rea- sonable if their doubts that the French are prepared to relin- quish direct and indirect au- thority'throughout Algeria can be dissipated. Many sources, some within the PAG, continue to indicate that the rebels will adamantly maintain that the Sahara must be completely Al- gerian, but that,once this status is acknowledged, they are pre- pared to offer major concessions concerning economic relations with France and guarantees for the European settlers. Paris has from time to time put forward the idea of admin- istering the Sahara through an association of the contiguous countries, a solution which has considerable appeal in Tunisia and Morocco. Tunisian President Bourguiba's public support of the French cease-fire announce- ment and his call to the PAG to make a good-will gesture of their own has angered the rebels. The PAG feels Tunisia is not giving it unconditional support in the negotiations at Evian. In announcing the cease- fire the French commander in chief in Algeria, General Gam- biez, heralded the "contagious repercussions of peace," Small- scale rebel offensives and ter- rorist attacks have continued, but the French unilateral truce apparently has been well accepted by the great majority of Moslems and enhanced De Gaulle's prestige among them. The rebels evident- ly fear that if they acknowledge a cease-fire, they will have serious difficulty in regaining the lost momentum of their campaign. SECRET 25 May 61 WEEKLY REVIEW Page 7 of 25 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 SECRET At this stage, rebel ter- orism may present a less serious problem for the French Govern- ment than the continuing activ- ity of right-wing extremists in France. There is reason to be- lieve that the networks of plotters conspiring against De Gaulle and his policies have not yet been fully exposed. Bombings have continued in France and have even been stepped up in Algeria; distri- bution of threatening letters and pamphlets put out by right- ist extremists goes on. Such activity may be further stimu- lated by the trial of the insur- gent generals which opens on 29 May. Discontent within the army is still widespread. As the Evian negotiations proceed, the frustration of the rightist ex?- tremists may prompt some of them to make an assassination at- tempt on De Gaulle as a last desperate effort to prevent A1?- gerian independence. Soviet Attitudes Soviet news media, while welcoming the start of negotia- tions, have cautioned that the French stand will determine The government in Leopold- ville has remained firm in its decision to reconvene parlia- ment there, although the Stan- leyville regime continues to demand that it meet at Kamina. Kasavubu appears to regard Gi- zenga's claim to represent the 25 May 61 whether the Algerian problem will be solved by "peaceful means or otherwise." Bloc com- mentators predict that the talks will be "difficult and tense." Moscow has long maintained that only direct talks between the rebels and the French on a basis of equality can restore peace to Algeria. In March, following the announcement that talks would be held, the Soviet ambassador in Paris sought out De Gaulle to express Khrushchev's hope for a peaceful settlement. At the same time, Soviet First Deputy Premier Kosygin tried to stiffen the rebels' resistance to any compromise with France, advising them to demand recog- nition as the sole represent- atives of Algeria. While there are advantages for the USSR in a continu- ation of the rebellion, So- viet leaders at the present time are probably inclined to support a settlement, pro- vided the rebels can emerge from the negotiations in fujJ? coptrol of an Inde- pendent Algeria, with'limited, if any, ties with France. (SECRET) legal government as ruling out any compromise. The Leopold- ville radio has said the Congo crisis is "in its final stages" and has warned that "no delaying tactics will prevent. . .the convocation of parliament" by Kasavubu. SECRET WEEKLY REVIEW Page 8 of 25 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-0 - Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927A003200050001-3 SECRET CURRENT INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY SUMMARY In contrast, there are in- dications that Leopoldville may be negotiating with Tshombe's successors to assure Katanga's participation in parliament. The Munongo triumvirate in Katanga reportedly has indicated that it is prepared to accept a Congo federation as proposed by Kasa- vubu. A Congolese politician has informed Ambassador Timber- lake that the Kasavubu govern- ment has received a proposal from Munongo and is drafting a counterproposal. Leopoldville probably feels that its success in blocking the return of UN representative Dayal to the Congo has strength- ened its hand. Hammarskjold informed US officials on 22 May that Dayal would not be returned to Leopoldville be- cause of the latest expressions of Congolese hostility toward him. Hammarskjold stated that Nehru had been informed and had agreed to recall Dayal. The Stanleyville regime-- confronted with the political threat of a rapprochement be- tween Leopoldville and Elisa- bethville and with deteriorat- ing economic conditions in Orientale Province--has moved to bolster its military position. According to press reports, troops from Stanleyville have appeared in force in Kasai Prov- ince. There is no firm in- formation that Gizenga plans any major offensive action. Reports of military activ- ity in Kasai appear to have led Kasavubu to place Albert Kalonji under surveillance in Coquil- hatville. A UN report has al- leged that aggressive movements by Kalonji's Kasai army against tribal opponents followed a build-up financed by a Belgian mining company. Ghanaian UN troops, which recently were withdrawn from southern Kasai, have been ordered back into the area. Indian Charge Rahman in Leopoldville, who on his own initiative has labored actively on Gizenga's behalf, stated re- cently that he did not believe Gizenga had enough votes in parliament to become premier. Rahman speculated that if Gizen- ga persisted in seeking the pre- miership he would merely weaken the "nationalist" position and pave the way for a dictatorship by some member of the present Leopoldville government. Relations between the UN and Katanga authorities have continued strained as a result of UN moves to retain control, by force if necessary, of key areas in northern Katanga. Al- though Munongo threatened armed resistance if the UN moved to take over airfields at Albert- ville and Nyunzu, he confined himself to a formal protest of the UN action and appeared anxious to avoid a serious rupture with the UN Command. (SECRET NOFORN) SECRET 25 May 61 WEEKLY REVIEW Page 9 of 25 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 SECRET CURRENT INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY SUMMARY The Cuban Government is giving maximum propaganda,cover- age to Castro's offer to ex- change most of the 1,200 cap- tured insurgents for 500 heavy tractors. The government-con- trolled press and radio have re- peatedly heralded the "generos- ity" and the "self-confidence" of the Cuban regime in making such an offer. One Havana radio commentator said the proposal was the "true socialist" solu- tion to the problem of what to do with the anti-Castro rebels. Private organizations in Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Uru- guay have announced fund-rais- ing drives to help pay for the tractors. The two-pronged Cuban dip- lomatic delegation touring Latin America on a special "good-will mission" may be seeking support for a new association of Latin American states to supplant the present Organization of American States (OAS) Castro's statement of 22 May threatening to withdraw the offer unless it were recognized that the 500 tractors constitut- ed "indemnification" for the material losses Cuba suffered during the landings rather than an exchange is in conflict with Castro's original wording of the proposal. On 17 May, in a speech commemorating the second anniversary of Cuba's agrarian reform program, he said that if "imperialism" wanted the freedom of the captured Cubans, "let it exchange tractors and machinery for them.... We will exchange all except murderers for 500 bulldozers...." By now demanding the trac- tors as "indemnification," Castro probably hopes to further as- sociate the landings with the US Government i,n the eyes of the world and to avoid further com- parison of his proposal to Adolf Eichmann's prisoners-for-trucks offer during World War II. The press in Argentina, Bolivia, El Salvador, Panama, Uruguay, and other Latin American countries was quick to draw such a parallel. reported on 18 May that the main group of Cuban emissaries, led by Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Olivares, was "disappointed" with the results of their talks with Mexican President Lopez Mateos and Foreign Minister Tello, On its arrival in Rio de Janeiro on 20 May, the Olivares group reportedly assured Brazil- ian officials that.'.Cuba would not attempt to "export" its rev- olution, that its government was not Communist, and that it desired to remain within the inter-American system. The Olivares party saw President Quadros on 24 May before going on to Ecuador. The second group of Cuban emissaries, in talks on 19 May with Costa Rican President Echandi and Foreign Minister Vargas, took a.similar line and sought unsuccessfully to promote a rapprochement between the two countries, according to a reli- able report. Echandi and Var- gas maintained the previously announced Costa Rican position SECRET .25 May 61 WEEKLY REVIEW Page 11 of 25 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 SECRET CURRENT INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY SUMMARY that any further executions in Cuba would cause San Jose to break relations with Havana, the report said. Latin American and Sino- Soviet bloc delegates are attend- ing the meetings of the Commu- nist-controlled International Union of Students, which opened in Havana on 23 May. The work of the congress will include an "international student work camp" from 2 to 4 June, during which period a school is to be constructed in the Vedado area of Havana, and will culminate in an "international seminar on illiteracy" from 6 to 8 June. This seminar will afford Castro a further opportunity to publi- cize his regime's plans to elim- inate illiteracy from Cuba this year. The Cuban Government's or- ders that public works employees in three of Cuba's six provinces be mobilized to cut sugar cane suggest that this year's harvest is lagging behind the planned production schedule. Agrarian reform director Antonio Nunez Jimenez and other regime leaders recently announced that sugar production had already surpassed 6,000,000 tons this year, and they anticipated a total crop of "more than 7,000,000 tons e" Although a good crop appears as- sured for this year, the damage done to young plants by inex- perienced harvesters may be re- flected in a smaller crop in' 1962. Soviet propaganda on Cuba, which has decreased steadily over the past several weeks, has dropped more sharply since the announcement on 19 May of the forthcoming meeting between Khrushchev and President Kennedy. Soviet broadcasts indicated con- cern late last week over the possibility of a US move against Cuba, and the USSR expressed this concern privately to at least one Latin American country. On 16 and 18 May, Moscow re- peated American press reports that the US was preparing "new aggressive plans" against Cuba, and a commentary on 17 May re- peated Khrushchev's criticism of the US Naval Base at Guantanamo. Soviet Ambassador Menshikov sought out Venezuelan Ambas- sador Mayobre in Washington on 18 May and told him that any aggressive move toward Cuba would "complicate the situa- tion" seriously. He added that the problem of Cuba should be settled peacefully and that the principle of "Self-determi- nation" for Cuba.should be respected. (SECRET NOFORN) BRAZILIAN POLICY TOWARD AFRICA Brazil has long been in- terested in Africa, having at one time elaborated a plan for a South Atlantic Pact including France as the chief colonial power in western Africa. More recently, but prior to Presi- dent Quadros' inauguration last SECRET 25 May 61 WEEKLY REVIEW Page 12 of 25 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 SECRET CURRENT INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY SUMMARY January, a key Foreign Ministry formation program, small librar- official told a US Embassy rep- ies, films on Brazil, and Brazil- resentative that Brazil is unique- ian observers will be sent to ly suited to exert influence in Africa. A new cultural radio pro- Africa by virtue of its geograph- ic position, its traditions of political democracy and racial equality, and its struggle against economic underdevelop- ment. Such a policy also accords with Brazil's desire to be con- sidered a world power. A vigorous African policy, however, began only under Quadros. While cutting back other over- seas expenditures on grounds of economy, he is expanding the government's African activities, beginning with the rapid estab- lishment of diplomatic and con- sular missions in most of the African countries, In mid-April he appointed as ambassador to Ghana a jour- nalist who is said to be Brazil's first Negro ambassador. Presi- dent Youlou of Congo (Brazza- ville) is expectpd to visit Brazil shortly, raz s delegation voted wit a minority which supported Cameroun's attempt to void the results of the UN- supervised plebiscite held in British Cameroons last Febru- ary. A program of scholarships for Africans has been announced and is expected to begin in Oc- tober. Twenty scholarships are to be granted in 1961 and the number is to be increased to 100 in 1964. In mid-April Presi- dent Quadros recommended the creation of a Brazilian informa- tion center in Africa, with head- quarters in Dakar. Under the in- gram in foreign languages is to be broadcast to Africa and the Near East as well as Europe and America. One of the most receptive of the African states to Brazil- ian overtures thus far is Senegal. Quadros has agreed to send a lecturer to Dakar and proposed studies for the eventual appoint- ment of lecturers in Rabat and Accra as well as the arrangement of a number of lectures by Brazilian scholars in other parts of Africa. Brazil's new interest in Africa has forced some compromise in its traditional policy of support for Portugal as a colo- nial power. The Brazilian foreign minister stated in mid-April that Brazil's vote in the United Nations on any resolution con- demning Portugal's Angola policy would be "conditioned" by "anti- colonialism," and "we cannot as- sure that our vote will not be given against Portugal." Another factor in Brazil's relations with Africa is the economic problem posed by com- petition in sales of coffee and other tropical products. Brazil has carry-over coffee stocks equal to world consumption for an entire year, and the next crop is expected to increase stocks by almost a third. Bra- zilian interest in the Africans therefore probably stems in part from concern over Africa's ris- ing coffee production, which may exceed one fifth of the world's total in 1960/61. (SECRET) SECRET 25 May 61 WEEKLY REVIEW Page 13 of 25 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 SECRET El Salvador's provisional government is controlled by army officers who are anti-Communist and appear firmly committed to the government's socio-economic reform program. The government continues to voice its intention to return power to an elected government before the end of the year, but the military have set no election date and are unlike- ly to relinquish control until the reform program seems assured. Communist gains. Changes made in the government last month as a result of pressure by young officers reduced the ruling civilian-military directorate to three members and reshuffled the cabinet, eliminating some of- ficials not wholly in support of the reform program. The Ameri- can Embassy considers the new cabinet officers capable and amenable to guidance and support by the United States. With a population of over 2,500,000 in an area about the size of New Jersey, El Salvador is the most densely populated country on the American conti- nents. Over 90 percent of the people are mestizos, with In- dian racial characteristics ,predominant. It is primarily an agricultural country, and about 80 percent of export in- come normally comes from coffee. Economic and political relation- ships in the countryside have changed little since early co- lonial times, and the ascendancy of the "coffee barons" had not until recently been challenged. The gulf between the ex- tremely wealthy "14 families" and the impoverished majority is probably greater in El Sal- vador than in any other Latin American country; the country's three-month experience with a Communist-influenced regime, which was overthrown by present government leaders in January, jolted many Salvadorans into a recognition that reforms must be implemented quickly to stem The government is taking steps to overcome the resistance of the wealthy to the regime's first reforms--a reduction in rents for low-income housing and a paid day of rest on Sundays for agricultural workers. The Catholic hierarchy now feels that reforms are long overdue; a church official has described the upper classes as "stunned" by the reversal of the historic position of the army and the church, their traditional allies, Another discontented element is a group of displaced or exiled officers who had enjoyed senior status prior to the coups of last October and January and who evidently are now plotting a return to power. One of their represen ves I sa l on 18 May a pans are well under way for a coup, but he admitted that the plot leaders do not have the support of the strategic garri- sons in the capital. It is un- likely that this faction has the capability of mounting a success- ful coup at this time. (SECRET) SECRET 25 May 61 WEEKLY REVIEW Page 14 of 25 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: C IA-RDP - - Approved For Release,.2006/12/28 : CIA-RDP79-00927A00320.0050001-3 SECRET CURRENT INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY SUMMARY KOZLOV'S ILLNESS AND.THE SUCCESSION Party secretary Frol Kozlov, Khrushchev's apparent choice as his eventual successor, may now be at a disadvantage as a re- sult of illness. Any serious curtailment of Kozlov's activi- ties would necessitate the re- distribution of some of his present administrative responsi- bilities among Khrushchev's other lieutenants and would bring the succession problem once again to the forefront of Moscow politics. Khrushchev admitted to Ambassador Thompson on 23 May that Kozlov had suffered a fair- ly serious heart attack. An earlier report, attributed to a Soviet Foreign Ministry offi- cial, revealed that Kozlov had been convalescing from his at- tack since 22 April. Khrushchev stated that the doctors were going to permit Kozlov to return to work about 5 June, but he did not indicate whether or not Kozlov's recovery was expected to be complete. Kozlov took a leading part in the:: celebration honoring astronaut Gagarin on 14 April and attended an African recep- tion on 17 April, but he has not been identified in public since. Although his portrait was prominently displayed near Khrushchev's in connection with the May Day celebration, he was not present at the parade. Mikhail Suslov, the other lead- ing party secretary, was the ranking party official at sever- al Moscow functions during the latter part of Khrushchev's vacation in April. There has been considerable evidence since 1959 that Khru- shchev, concerned with the prob- lem of an orderly transfer of power on his death or retirement, has picked Kozlov as his suc- cessor. In a conversation with Averell Harriman in June 1959, Khrushchev ridttculed the sug- gestion that Kirichenko, then party second-in-command, would succeed him, and stated that he (Khrushchev) and Mikoyan had chosen Kozlov to carry on after them. At that time Kozlov was one of the first deputy chair- men of the USSR Council of Min- isters, as well as a member. of the party presidium. Kirichenko was ousted from the party secretariat in Janu- ary 1960, and several months lat- er Kozlov was shifted over from the Council of Ministers to take his place. This move suggested that Khrushchev was serious about establishing Kozlov as his successor, particularly since the secretariat post is a key vantage point for gaining control of the pro- fessional party machine. Since his appointment to the secretariat, Kozlov has been acting as party second- in-command, supervising party organization and personnel af- fairs,.and filling in for Khrushchev during his many ab- sences. He recently presided over the removal of the top party leaders in the Armenian and Tadzhik republics. He is the only presidium member, other than Khrushchev, slated to give a major address at the party congress in October. Khrushchev, by his own ad- mission, is jealous of his prerog- atives as party boss and has not been willing to delegate sufficient authority to Kozlov to assure his ultimate assump- tion of supreme power in the Soviet Union. His backing of Koziov, however, has probably tended to restrain political maneuvering among other party leaders. Should Kozlov's activ- ities be restricted for an extended period, such maneuver- ing would undoubtedly be intensi- fied. (CONFIDENTIAL) SECRET 25 May 61 WEEKLY REVIEW Page 15 of 25 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 SECRET SOVIET CONSUMER GOODS PRODUCTION TO INCREASE A modest but significant change of Soviet economic policy favoring the consumer is implied by Khrushchev's remark on 20 May at the British Fair in Moscow that the USSR's light industry and heavy industry will develop at the same pace. Because the light industrial base is very small compared with that of heavy industry, which has sub- stantially surpassed its pro- duction goals for the past two years, such a change can be accomplished with a relatively small shift of resources. A shift of just 2 percent of total industrial investment, for ex- ample, would raise investment in light and food industries about 25 percent. Khrushchev's remarks on growth rates made clear that the change would be limited to the relationship between the annual growth rates planned for "Group A" (which in Soviet jargon stands for-the means of production) and for "Group B" (consumer goods). The Khrusncnev regime, while emphasizing the rapid development of heavy industry, has often favored modest improvements in consumer welfare to provide the material incentives deemed neces- sary for growth in labor produc- tivity, to improve the foreign image of the Soviet citizen's lot, and to influence favorably the attitude of the populace to- ward the regime. Economic policy since World War II has consistently provided the consumer with an annual in- crease in the quantity of manu- factured goods, but this increase has not kept pace with the over- all annual growth in the output of industry. During the Malenkov era the annual rates of growth in the two branches of industry were nearly equalized. The general discussions surrounding the removal of Malenkov, however, implied that the correct approach to consumer welfare was through a build-up of agriculture, along with a high priority for heavy industry. Only when this was accomplished would consumer goods INDEXES OF GROWTH OF SOVIET INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION 1950 = 100 300 200 100 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 Note: As of 1 January 1960, industries manufacturing only producer goods (goods referred to in Soviet jargon as Group A) accounted for 49.8 percent of total capital assets in Soviet industry; industries turning out only consumer goods (Group B) for 8.7 percent. The remaining industries produce goods in both categories, but mainly producer goods and military equipment. 610524 UNCLASSIFIED SECRET 25 May 61 WEEKLY REVIEW TOTAL INDUSTRY - PR ODUCER GOOD S (GROUP Al o CONSU MER GOODS (GROUP B) Page 16 of 25 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 SECRET CURRENT INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY SUMMARY be emphasized. Since 1954, under Khrushchev's aegis, the spread--favoring heavy industry --has grown relatively large, although it has narrowed slight- ly during the last two years. The shift apparently is to be accomplished by reducing over- fulfillment in heavy industry, with the biggest share of'shifted resources probably to be assigned to agriculture. The regime announced last December that it considered that the overfulfill- ment of plans of heavy industry warranted some reallocation of resources toward fulfilling "public demand." At the central committee plenum in January, Khrushchev claimed that 11.3 billion (new) rubles of output in excess of plan had been pro- duced by industry, making possi- ble additional appropriations to consumer branches. He la- beled the 2.5-3.0 billion (new) ruble increase in the investment for textile and footwear indus- try, announced last May, insuf- ficient, but stressed that fur- ther support for the consumer goods industry depended on additional investment in agri- culture. Significant increases in the output of consumer goods could be obtained at a relatively small cost to heavy industry. The 1961 plan schedules an in- crease of 9.5 percent in the output of "Group "A" industries and 6.9 percent in those of "Group "B". Because of overful- fillment in "Group "A" industries during the last two years, how- ever, the over-all increase in that group could be reduced by over one percent annually with- out jeopardizing Seven-Year Plan goals, The new approach has appar- ently already created the need for doctrinal justification. A recent article in the party journal"Kommunist, which restated Khrushchev s call at the January plenum for a balanced economic development, declared basically wrong those "theoreticians" who claim that a uniform development of the national economy--which includes "paramount" concern for the people and the improve- ment of the supply of consumer goods--is a "petit bourgeois" approach to the "building of communism." Khrushchev's remarks have not yet appeared in the Soviet press, and there is no confirma- tion of a Western press report that the change has already taken place. The formal announcement of the change may be reserved for presentation at the 22nd party congress in October for incorporation into the economic program adopted at that time, (CONFIDENTIAL) (Prepared by ORR) PROBLEMS OF ECONOMIC ORGANIZATION IN USSR Soviet economists, indus- trial and agricultural managers and technicians, and possibly even certain top political lead- ers are in sharp disagreement over the administration of im- portant elements of the USSR's ,economy. Although it does not seem likely that these disagree- ments will impede economic prog- ress, Khrushchev will probably make a strong effort to resolve the more serious controversies 25 May 61 before the convening of the 22nd party congress in October. He will probably undertake further organizational experimentations and shuffling of personnel. The rapid growth of the economy in both size and com- plexity, the 1957 economic re- organization which led to the creation of numerous state eco- nomic committees and over 100 ter- ritorial economic administrations, SECRET WEEKLY REVIEW Page 17 of 25 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 SECRET CURRENT INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY SUMMARY and the concomitant increase in economic responsibility at the republic level increased the amount of.overlapping authority and created-considerable juris- dictional confusion and jealousy. A recent report alleges that an "intense feeling of ani- mosity" exists among various Soviet economic. organizations. They reproach each other for neglect of leadership, excessive consumption of raw materials, falling pr.oduct.ion, and statis- tical falsification. Soviet industrial officials, according to the report, have told their Hungarian counterparts that, they are "seriously worried" that there will be an extensive economic purge. The report states, however, that neither the wave of criticism nor the anticipated purge is politically motivated but that both appear to be based on "considerations of economic efficiency and ef- fective industrial management." while others advocate complete decentralization. The program for technologi- cal improvement appears still to be hampered by lack of de- cisiveness and possibly contro- versy among its administrators. Automation chief A. I. Kostousov admitted in Pravda on 5 May that the quarterly plan for in- troducing new technology had not been met and laid the blame on lack of precise planning methods and lack of coordination among plants producing the needed equipment. The plenums on technology in.1959 and 1960 had both issued comprehensive instructions and orders to study and solve these problems. The maintenance of an ef- ficient industrial supply system has long been a challenge to Soviet planners; both the 1959 and 1960 central committee plenums on industrial technology called on responsible agencies to seek better planning and administrative arrangements for supply, An article in the 10 March 1961 issue of the party journal Kommunist on problems which have arisen in this sphere reaffirmed the supply principle enunciated in Khrushchev's 1957 industrial reorganization --centralized distribution of the major material resources but decentralization of most supply activities to encourage local initiative. The article discussed cur- rent shortcomings with unusual frankness and admitted that "sharp arguments are now going on over organizational ques- tions." Some think that supply must be completely centralized, Despite the recent agri- cultural reorganization, dif- ferences over the future of agricultural organization con- tinue to be manifest. In 1958, when the state-owned Machine- Tractor Stations were abolished and collective farms were al- lowed to own farm equipment, Khrushchev said that collective and state farms were to continue side by side until the two farms gradually merged at some time in the future. Yet, recently, state farms have been undergoing a rapid growth at the expense of collective farms, and their share in the delivery of grain and milk to the government ex- ceeded the level planned for 1965. An article in the April issue of Problems of Economics called for further study of the question, indicating that the re- gime has not yet elaborated its point of view on all aspects of agricultural organization. (SE- CRET NOFORN) (Prepared by ORR) SECRET 25 May 61 WEEKLY REVIEW Page 18 of 25 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 SECRET CURRENT INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY SUMMARY- EAST GERMAN CAMPAIGN FOR RECOGNITION East Germany has recently gained some further degree of de facto recogniton in the Mid- dle East, Africa,and Brazil. It has not yet, however, induced any country outside the Soviet bloc--except Yugoslavia--to risk West German retaliation by granting de jure recogni- tion. Closely following the an- nouncement on 22 April that Ceylon had authorized an East German trade mission in Colombo, the UAR announced that it would permit the East German trade of- fice in Damascus to assume con- sular status. This move pre- ceded the opening of negotia- tions between the UAR and West Germany in Bonn concerning West German aid, notably on the Euphrates Dam project. When the West German ambassador in Cairo protested that Nasir had expressly promised in 1959 not to raise the Damascus office to consular status, the UAR presi- dential affairs minister denied that such a promise had been given and maintained that the move was "routine" and involved no change in the UAR's policy of granting formal recognition only to Bonn. Although a West German For- eign Ministry official main- tains that Nasir in fact gave such an assurance in 1959 and should have informed Bonn be- fore breaking the agreement, he stated that there was little possibility of effective West German countermeasures. In the same year, the UAR had ex- plained that the establishment of the East German Consulate General in Cairo did not con- stitute diplomatic recognition. Because a West German severance of diplomatic ties with Cairo would only lead to Nasir's rec- ognition of the Ulbricht re- gime, Bonn will have to remain content with the UAR's explana- tion. Bonn realizes, however, that its tacit acquiescence in the elevation of the Damascus mission may tempt Lebanon and Iraq to grant consular status to the East German trade mis- sions in Beirut and Baghdad. It may, therefore, refuse to undertake any new aid commit- ments to the UAR. Cairo has announced that the UAR nego- tiator will not leave for Bonn as planned. In West Africa, East Ger- many is attempting to establish a foothold in Mali, while con- tinuing to extend its influence in Ghana and Guinea. Under a trade agreement announced on 19 April, East German officials are arriving to staff a trade mission in Bamako, the Mali cap- ital, while two newspapermen have taken positions in the Mali Information Ministry, presumably under the technical assistance agreement signed earlier this year. Mali's foreign minister told the West German ambassador that Bamako would not permit the trade mission to assume diplo- matic prerogatives nor would Mali establish its own mission in East Berlin. The US Embassy in Bamako nevertheless reports that the East Germans, with the support of the Czech ambas- sador, who is dean of the dip- lomatic corps there, are making a determined effort to present their mission as a diplomatic establishment. In Brazil, the Ulbricht regime is taking advantage of President Janio Quadros' inten- tion of widening his contacts with bloc countries to urge a major expansion of East German - Brazilian trade, which last year totaled nearly $20,000,- 000. The East Germans have relatively little to give Bra- zil in comparison with the aid that Bonn is presently SECRET 25. May 61 WEEKLY REVIEW Page 19 of 25 Approved or Release 2006/12/28 : - - - Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927A003200050001-3 SECRET CURRENT INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY SUMMARY considering--$50,000,000 in a new aid fund plus about the same amount in guarantees for ex- ports from West Germany. The East Germans, however, will play up their increased contacts with Brazilian officials as de facto recognition; if Quadros goes through with his announced in- tention of inviting a high East German official to Bra- silia, the East Germans would consider they had scored a triumph. Bonn, seriously concerned, hopes to induce Quadros not to permit such a visit. The West Germans also have attempted to persuade Quadros to cancel a visit to East Germany by Bra- zil's roving ambassador, Joao Dantas. East Germany, with the founding of the Bamako mission, now has 30 trade missions in nonbloc countries. Those in Cairo, Djakarta, and Rangoon have been recognized as con- sulates general by the host countries but with diplomatic recognition expressly withheld. In addition, it has agreements for missions in Ceylon and Cam- bodia and reportedly is angling for offices in Tunisia and Mo- rocco. At least eight of these missions--those in NATO coun- tries and Sweden--represent the East German Chamber of Foreign Trade, ostensibly a nongovern- ment organization; the others represent the East German For- eign Trade Ministry, but are recognized as technical, not diplomatic, establishments. (SECRET NOFORN) BLOC MILITARY AID TO THE UAR Political friction between Moscow and Cairo, which flared up again recently, apparently has not affected the bloc's mil- itary collaboration with the UAR. Financial arrangements, requests for advanced weapons, and Soviet delays in supplying spare parts and new equipment have caused difficulties since 1958 but have not prevented eventual conclusion of new agreements, nor have they al- tered the UAR's almost complete dependence on the bloc for mil- itary supplies. Recent deliver- ies of advanced jet fighters, tanks, and other military end 25 May 61 items suggest a normal rela- tionship. Cairo is aware of its vulnerability to Soviet pressure in the military sphere, but so far Moscow appears to have avoided using pressure to further its political objectives. Unconfirmed reportsI 5X1 5X1 indicate that as many as 52 MIG- 19s have been delivered to the UAR since the first shipment last January. Most of them have reportedly been assembled and tested. Although this number is considerably more than can SECRET WEEKLY REVIEW Page 20 of 25 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927A003200050001-3 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927A003200050001-3 _..._SSECR ET CURRENT INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY SUMMARY be corroborated by other sources, it is close to the quantity originally requested by the UAR in 1958. Initially Moscow re- jected this request, but talks throughout 1960 may have re- sulted in its revival. These aircraft are said to be equipped to carry air-to-air missiles which reportedly have also been delivered. There is no evidence that Moscow has yet agreed to supply the more advanced MIG-21 jet -f.after to the UAR, although ;afro reportedly requested such aircraft last year. Indonesia is the only nonbloc country to have been promised eventual de- livery of MIG-21s. Other arms supplied under new agreements include T-54 medium tanks--perhaps as many as 120--additional self-propelled assault guns, artillery, and a wide variety of other military items, such as early-warning and fire-control radar, engi- neering equipment, repair shops, and motor vehicles. A contract reportedly was signed recently for 10 YAK-24 helicopters, and rumors persist that three more submarines will be delivered under new naval agreements. About 20 UAR pilots re- turned from the USSR early this year after six months of train- ing on MIG-19s. Another 20 probably have returned by now, and more have been sent to the Soviet Union. The first two groups are probably participat- ing in flight instruction ac- tivities on the MIG-19s in the UAR. At present there is only sketchy information on the value of the new bloc arms pacts with the UAR. From 1955 to 1960 the bloc delivered more than $700,- 000,000 worth of arms to both regions of the UAR. Substantial discounts--often two thirds of the value--were granted on this materiel, and the bloc accorded extremely favorable repayment terms. Incomplete information suggests the MIG-19 contracts alone are worth more than $25,- 000,000 and the total value of new equipment to be delivered may well run to over $100,000,- 000. Price reductions and re- payment provisions may not be as generous as in previous agree- ments; discounts on the new equipment probably amount to about one third the quoted price. A trend toward more "busi- nesslike" terms has been evi- dent in Soviet-UAR military re- lations since 1958, perhaps re- flecting political friction but also as a result of Cairo's re- quests for more advanced materiel. (SECRET NOFORN) (Prepared by ORR) AFGHAN-PAKISTANI BORDER CLASHES The Pushtoonistan dispute between Afghanistan and Paki- stan, which has been marked by sporadic clashes and almost con- tinuous propaganda warfare since 1947, has taken a new and dan- gerous turn with the introduc- tion of regular Afghan troops disguised as tribesmen into Af-? ghan operations in Pakistan. 25 May 61 Kabul has consistently de- manded that the Pushtoon tribes living on the Pakistani side of the border be given the right of self-determination. Paki- stan has just as consistently rejected these demands as in- terference in its internal af- fairs. The most recent signifi- cant clash prior to last week SECRET Page 21 of 25 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO0320005000-T--7 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 SECRET CURRENT INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY SUMMARY occurred in September, when a force of Afghan tribal irreg- ulars was driven from the Ba- jaur area with heavy losses. Since then Kabul has been try- ing to regain some of its pres- tige among the tribes by in- creasing its support to dissi- dent tribal elements in Paki- stan. Afghan special forces, num- bering about 1,000, attacked several Pakistani garrisons near the border on 20 May, Co- operating with local tribesmen armed by Afghan agents, they employed heavy infantry weapons, including mortars and machine guns. Kabul had been planning for several months to use some of its regular units espe- cially equipped for guerrilla operations, The Afghan Army uniform factory in Kabul manu- factured 10,000 sets of tribal- type clothing, apparently for use by Afghan troops disguised as tribal irregulars. Kabul, however, has denied that its forces were directly involved in the attacks. Following the latest at- tacks, Pakistani Air Force jets began bombing hostile concentra- tions near the border. Paki- stani officials have indicated privately that they are pre- pared to bomb artillery posi- tions in Afghanistan if the Afghans fire into Pakistani territory, Rawalpindi continues con- fident of its ability to handle the situation, says pans remain un- changed to withdraw from Bajaur some of the troops which were stationed there last fall. 4w AREA OF BORDER INCIDENT I' PUSHTOON TRIBAL AREA OF GREATEST FRICTION 25 MAY 1961 31752 Both sides probably want to avoid the outbreak of major hostilities. Neither side, how- ever, can afford a serious loss of prestige among the Pushtoon tribes living on both sides of the border, and a major victory by either side could bring stronger action by the defeated party. This latest clash may lead to new criticism of the United States by both Afghani- stan and Pakistan, President Ayub has complained that Ameri- can inquiries about the use of US-supplied arms in the tribal area made the Afghans 25x1 "bolder," The Afghans, on the 25:i other hand, have frequently 25x1 complained that US military as- sistance to Pakistan is used to "suppress the freedom-loving Pushtoon tribesmen," (SECRET NOFORN) SECRET 25 May 61 WEEKLY REVIEW Page 2 2 of 25 KASHMIR ;I tiranu m .li.purei RAWAI PINDI Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 SECRET CURRENT INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY SUMMARY AFRICANS PLANNING GENERAL STRIKE IN SOUTH AFRICA The South African Govern- ment is steadily inzreasing its security precautions in an ef- fort to head off nonwhite demon- strations at the end of this month. The National Action Council (NAC), a Communist- dominated group which gained the initiative among nonwhite na- tionalists late in March, has called a three-day stay-home strike beginning on 29 May to protest South Africa's acces- sion to republic status on 31 May. Nelson Mandela, leader of the NAC, has denied that demon- strations are planned during the strike; he reportedly as- serted, however, that intimida- tion would be used to enforce it in some areas. Tension is rising in both the white and the non-European communities, and even a trivial incident could provoke a violent out- break. The NAC was formed to imple- ment a strike call which had been made by the Communist-con- trolled "all-rin"African confer- ence held in Natal Province late in March. Mandela, a probable Communist who had been under government restriction orders until just before the conference, is believed to have been responsible for much of the NAC's success in seizing the initiative from anti-Commu- nist groups such as the Pan- Africanist Congress and the largely white Liberal party, An able organizer who re- portedly has ample funds at his disposal, he seems to have re- vitalized the "Congress move- ment," the Communist-dominated multiracial group which had been moribund since the banning last year of the African National, its principal component. The NAC reportedly has begun a house- to-house campaign to drum up support for the strike call, and it plans to intensify its efforts during the coming weekend. Mandela claims to have the support of most of the country's coloreds Ypersons of mixed blood) and Indians. These two com- munities, which are an impor- tant economic factor in western Cape Province and Natal re- spectively, apparently are split on the question of cooperation with the Africans. Sentiment in favor of cooperation seems to be running stronger than it did in the outbreaks last year. Mandela allegedly hopes violence can be avoided, since peaceful demonstrations would increase the NAC's aura of respectability. He is said to have admitted, however, that a fifth of his followers favor violent action. He believes that the presence of large numbers of security forces will inhibit demonstrations in the larger cities but that disturb- ances in the towns are more likely. The government has been conducting a series of police raids since late April in an effort to break up the organiza- tion behind the strike call and to intimidate the nonwhite pop- ulation. In mid-May it called up several units of reserves and militia, rounded up more than two thousand Africans on trivial charges, and banned all meetings until the end of June, Foreign Minister Louw told the American ambassador recently that the government hopes these measures will avert an incident like the one at Sharpeville last spring; however, he expressed concern over the security situation in the country. (SECRET NOFORN) SECRET 25 May 61 WEEKLY REVIEW Page 23 of 25 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 SECRET CURRENT INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY SUMMARY DEVELOPMENTS IN SURINAM At preliminary talks sched- uled to begin in The Hague on 29 May, the Netherlands and Suri- nam will discuss possible modi- fication of the Realm Statute of 1954 with a view to giving Surinam a greater degree of independence, Final proposals worked out at these discussions will be submitted to a full round-table conference to be held later. Surinam (Dutch Guiana) is a sparsely populated, underde- veloped territory about the size of Illinois. The majority of its 300,000 people are of Asian extraction (Hindustanis, Javanese, and Chinese), and the rest predominantly African ("Creoles") and European ; nearly D MI CAN HAITI REPUBLIC all live in the narrow fertile strip of coastal plain. Suri- nam and the six islands of the Netherlands Antilles comprise the overseas realm of the King- dom of the Netherlands; the 1954 Realm Statute formalized the internal self-government already in effect in both ter- ritories but reserved foreign affairs and defense matters to The Hague. .Bauxite, mined by a sub- sidiary of ALCOA and by a Dutch firm, accounts for about 80 per- cent of the value of Surinam's exports, Surinam exported 3,600,- 000 tons of bauxite in 1960; it provides about 20 percent of the free world's supply. V(1~% IS. (U.S., U.K.) PUERTO Saint Moarten(Neth., Fr.) RICO o (N ethJ Sala. ~~' (U.S.) Saint E...N.e (Neth.) ?. c. Antigua (U.K.) Guadeloupe, (Fr.( } Grenada (U.K.) Topagq r iU KI TRINIDAD Netherlands Territories in the Western Hemisphere SECRET 25 May 61 Page 24 of 25 Approved For Release 20061 2/28 : CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927A003200050001-3 SECRET CURRENT INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY SUMMARY The territory's political activity is dominated by a small minority of professional and businessmen varied in their racial origins but largely Dutch in educational background and general orientation. They de- sire expansion and diversifi- cation of the economy to reduce the present excessive dependence on bauxite mining, and they believe that to obtain greater technical and financial assist- ance from both the United Nations and the West, their country first must be recognized as an international entity. These men feel that under the present arrangement, the Dutch Foreign Ministry does not adequately represent Surinam's interests--particularly in re- gard to securing aid for such high-priority programs as the development of hydroelectric power and the expansion of the transportation network to open up the untapped timber and min- eral resources of the interior. They want independent represen- tation in several key countries in the western hemisphere as well as at the United Nations. Although Surinam has pros- pered during the past several years as demand has increased for its bauxite, timber, and food products, its political leaders are dissatisfied with the pace of its development. They maintain that more rapid and varied development is nec- essary to meet the growing pres- sure for social services such as housing--which is admittedly inadequate--and to provide em- ployment for the increasing number of Surinamers being trained in the Netherlands. Minister-president Emanuels, who will head Surinam's delega- tion, intends to use the oppor- tunity to confer with German and French officials regarding their countries' possible par- ticipation in development plans. The desire for greater autonomy has also been stimu- lated in recent years by the declining prestige of the colo- nial powers, the rapid emergence of independent states in Africa, and the progress of the British West Indies and neighboring British Guiana toward independ- ence. The "Creoles" are the dominant party in the pro- Western, tripartite coali- tion they formed with the Hindu- stani and Catholic parties and are the most outspoken on the question of greater independ- ence. Some signs of racial friction are appearing, largely as a result of the growing economic and political power of the Hindustanis, who already control much of Sur- inam's local economy. Fear- ing domination by the Asians, the "Creoles" tend increasingly to identify their aspirations with those of the newly in- dependent, uncommitted Af- rican states and to look to them for leadership. In contrast to the polit- ical situation in neighboring British Guiana, leftist ele- ments have wielded little influence. As long as the government's economic and so- cial development programs pro- ceed, the future of Surinam's small leftist party will remain uncertain. Although neither racially nor culturally a Latin country, Surinam recognizes it must devel- op closer ties with the neigh- boring republics. The first step would be to seek associa- tion with the OAS. So far, how- ever, Surinam has felt relatively detached from Latin American developments. (CONFIDENTIAL) SECRET 25 May 61 WEEKLY REVIEW Page 25 of 25 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 SECRET CURRENT INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY SUMMARY SPECIAL ARTICLES SECRET 25 May 61 Page 1 of 15 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 SECRET.. CURRENT INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY SUMMARY 25 May 61 Page 2 of 15 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 SECRET CURRENT INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY SUMMARY 25 May 61 SPECIAL ARTICLES Page 3 of 15 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 SECRET CURRENT INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY SUMMARY There are several indica- tions that a new Soviet consti- tution will appear sometime after the 22nd party congress next October. Proposals for changes in the existing law in- dicate that the new constitution will be based on Khrushchev's assertions that the Soviet Un- ion has begun the "full-scale building of a Communist society." The document may also provide for the establishment of the of- fice of "President of the USSR." Background The present Soviet consti- tution is chiefly a description of the state apparatus and a record of past achievements which needs periodic updating in accord with economic and so- cial change. There have been three con- stitutions since the revolution. The first, adopted in 1918, ex- propriated private property and disenfranchised Russia's proper- tied classes and set forth the new system of government by commissars and soviets. The second appeared in 1924, follow- ing the extension of Red power into the Ukraine, Belorussia, and the Transcaucasus, and the consequent birth of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. It recognized the division of the world into "two camps of socialism and capitalism," but otherwise limited itself to describing the new state ad- ministrative machinery. This instrument was superseded in 1936 by the present constitution, which was framed in keeping with Stalin's dictum that, "in the main," socialism had been built in the Soviet Union. Like his predecessor, Khru- shchev evidently wants the achievements of his administra- tion embodied in the highest law of the land. He first broached the question of revising the con- stitution at the 21st party con- gress in 1959, but the subject apparently was not raised again for several months. Rumors of impending change began to circu- late in Moscow on the eve of the central committee plenum last spring, and on 3 May 1960 Khru- shchev acknowledged that the plenum would consider "constitu- tional questions." He stated that it had again become neces- sary to bring the constitution into line with the new situation in Soviet economic and social life, but added that the Commu- nist party would first "work out the lines of future devel- opment." Responsibility for draft- ing the basic provisions of the new law evidently has been as- signed to P. S. Romashkin, di- rector of the Institute of Law of the Soviet Academy of Sci- ences, and work on the project probably started last summer. In July, Romashkin advanced de- tailed proposals for changes, and his recommendations were published last fall in the top legal journal, Soviet State and Law. In January -Ml-, Romashl n stated that his institute's sec- tor of state law was "seriously working out" questions of changes SECRET 25 May 61 SPECIAL ARTICLES Page 4 of 15 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 SECRET CURRENT INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY SUMMARY and additions to the constitu- tion, and assumed that "this work will be expanded following the adoption of the party pro- gram at the 22nd congress." The Forthcoming Constitution The earlier Soviet consti- tutions contain no references to the advent of Communism. In- deed, in 1936, Stalin stated flatly that the constitution had to be limited to a descrip- tionof past achievements, since it was impossible for a basic law to talk about events which had not yet come to pass. The Communist party has received similar treatment. It was not mentioned at all in the first two constitutions, and was cited only once in that of 1936. If Romashkin's proposals are adopted, however, the forth- coming constitution will be uniquely "communist" in nature. It will, for the first time, ex- plicitly commit the Soviet Un- ion to continue on a communist course. Taking its cue from the party program now being revised under Khrushchev's direction, it will also lay down guidelines for the future. Romashkin insists on in- cluding "a clear statement of the prospects of development of the Soviet state which will re- flect the determination of the entire people to build communism." He further thinks that the party's leading role in Soviet life should be men- tioned much more often and that references should be made to such harbingers of the future as the strength of the'world so- cialist movement, the growth of the brigades of Communist labor, and the eventual "withering away of the state." A constitution of this type would certainly be touted as a significant milestone in the development of Marxism- Leninism. Its appearance after the 22nd congress, and the con- comitant boasting of Soviet superiority and praise for the party first secretary, would provide all the more opportu- nity to link the Khrushchev name with the "building of com- munism." Like the "Stalin con- stitution" of 1936, the forth- coming document might also bear the name of its chief inspirer. Possible Soviet Presidency While there is little evi- dence that a move to create a "President of the USSR" is con- templated, rumors to this ef- fect were making the rounds in Moscow last May. A presidency was subsequently established in Rumania. Czechoslovakia and East Germany have retained the office, and there have been reports that other European satellites intend to set up the office as they too "complete the transition to so- cialism." SECRET 25 May 61 SPECIAL ARTICLES Page 5 of 15 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 SECRET CURRENT INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY SUMMARY A presidency could be formed simply by conferring the title on the chairman of the presidium of the Supreme So viet,who is titular head of the state. However, there are no easily discernible advan- tages in tacking a new label onto a job which is already es- sentially ceremonial. The future president of the USSR--if there is to be one --is much more likely to step into a position of real power and prestige. He would pre- sumably enjoy authority at least equal to that of his sat- ellite. counterparts, and in large measure his office would probably be modeled after the Czechoslovak and Rumanian presi- dencies. The new constitution might, then, assign to a Soviet presi- dent certain functions now re- served to the Supreme Soviet presidium and ceremonially ex- ercised by its chairman. These include formal representation of the state, negotiation and ratification of treaties, and the power to nominate and re- call the premier and individual members of the government. Other provisions could be copied from the Czechs, whose president has the right to preside over meetings of the government, is commander in chief of the armed forces, and "exercises powers not expressed in the constitu- tion." 25 May 61 The key qualification for the office would not be embodied in the law, however. It is cer- tainly no accident in Czechoslo- vakia and Rumania that the presi- dent is also first secretary of the party; in the Communist sys- tem, the party chief is the ulti- mate source of political authori- ty. In the USSR, however, he has never ruled by right of law, and the creation of a Soviet presi- dency like that of the two satel- lites would give constitutional sanction to the powers he has al- ways exercised in fact. Making the president (i.e., party first secretary) technically responsi- ble to the legislature--which is fundamentally powerless--would maintain the fiction that the Supreme Soviet is the nation's "highest organ of state authori- ty. ," This kind of job would seem made to order for Khrushchev. He might see some propaganda advan- tage to having his powers legal- ized, and there are certainly no indications that he would object to more prestige. His "election" to the presidency would also put an end to any contention about who is really head of the Soviet state. While this question is of little actual consequence, it has nevertheless proved irritating in the conduct of foreign relations; in 1959, for example, Khrushchev had to visit this country as "chief of state"--for which there is no Soviet constitutional pro- vision--in order to be on a pro- tocol par with the US President. (SECRET) SECRET SPECIAL ARTICLES Page 6 of 15 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: IA-RDP79-00927A0032000500fl Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 SECRET CURRENT INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY SUMMARY SECRET 25 May 61 SPECIAL ARTICLES Page 7 of 15 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 ,. SECRET 25 May 61 SECRET SPECIAL ARTICLES Page 8 of 15 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 SECRET CURRENT INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY SUMMARY SECRET 25 May 61 SPECIAL ARTICLES Page 9 of 15 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 SECRET CURRENT INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY SUMMARY SECRET 25 May 61 SPECIAL ARTICLES Page 10 of 15 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 SECRET CURRENT INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY SUMMARY 25 May 61 SECRET SPECIAL ARTICLES Page 11 of 15 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 SECRET CURRENT INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY SUMMARY SECRET 25 May 61 SPECIAL ARTICLES roved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-0092 Page 12 of 15 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 SECRETr? SECRET 25 May 61 SPECIAL ARTICLES Page 13 of 15 Approved For Relea_se2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 SECRET CURRENT INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY'SMWRY 25 May 61 SECRET SPECIAL ARTICLES Page 14 of 15 roved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927AO03200050001-3 SECRET SECRET 25 May 61 SPECIAL ARTICLES Page 15 of 15 Approved For Relea,5e 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927A003200050001-3 SECRET OTHER INTELLIGENCE ISSUANCES Published during week of 17-23 May 1961 SECRET Approved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927A003200050001-3 Approved -For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00027AO03200050001-3 C I TIAIC ~ E T.-- sEenr?r CONFUDIVINTIAL roved For Release 2006/12/28: CIA-RDP79-00927A