THE PRESIDENT'S INTELLIGENCE CHECKLIST 17 AUGUST 1961

Document Type: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
0005959005
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
T
Document Page Count: 
10
Document Creation Date: 
September 16, 2015
Document Release Date: 
September 16, 2015
Sequence Number: 
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
August 17, 1961
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EZ !Ea E! Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/05/04: CIA-RDP79T00936A000200040001-0 THE PRESIDENT'S INTELLIGENCE CHECKLIST 17 AUGUST 1961 TOP-SEGRET- Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/05/04 : CIA-RDP79T00936A000200040001-0 Li I I= E1 r.i r--71 r--71 67-771 r=7-1 . Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/05/04 : CIA-RDP79T00936A000200040001-0 The Situation in Berlin The East Germans yesterday took steps which give the East-West Berlin sector border the character of an international frontier: a) floodlights are being installed, and mazes of concrete stanchions and permanent fences are replacing the temporary barriers erected on the night of 12-13 August; b) at some crossing points currency controls, of the type usually associated with international borders, were set up; c) on the zonal borders between West Berlin and East Germany, East German Communist youths are clearing away trees and underbrush. A trickle of refugees continues--yesterday 30 were registered in West Berlin, Within East Germany, there continues to be a good deal of outspoken criticism of the regime. Some critics are comparing East Germany to a concentration camp, while others are berating party functionaries with the charge that the new restrictions are, in fact, aimed at the East German population, not at West Berlin, In West Berlin, the US Mission reports, there is a feeling in government circles that the traditional calm of the West Berliners has given way to nervous tension and deepening depression. At the big rally held there yesterday, the prevailing crowd sentiment was "cynical and pessimistic" and our observers left with the feeling "that the Berliners had lost part of their faith in the ability of the free world to help preserve their freedom." 50X1 For The President Only?Too Secret Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/05/04 : CIA-RDP79T00936A000200040001-0 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/05/04 : CIA-RDP79T00936A000200040001-0 R Next 1 Page(s) In Document Denied 50X6 50X1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/05/04 : CIA-RDP79T00936A000200040001-0 t3 ?tE= !=3 E=3 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/05/04 : CIA-RDP79T00936A000200040001-0 50X1 1. Adoula-Gizenga meeting 2. Souvanna lieutenant plan- ning military action 50X1 Adoula left for the meeting in Stanleyville prepared to take a tough line in bringing Gizenga around to joining the central government. Key members of the Stanleyville faction who have already joined the Adoula government have 50X1 decided to delive5UX1 an ultimatum to Gizenga: cooperate with Adoula or we break. Meanwhile, there are indications that both Ghana and Guinea may be getting ready to recognize Adoula, moves which would severely undercut Gizenga's hvininc position_ 50X1 Cf1V4 50X1 yesterday____the military commander in Phong Salya asked for permission to recall two battalions 50X1 troops from Communist China. Later mes- sages reveal that he has Souvanna's go- ahead and that he plans to use the troops, apparently in a limited offen- sive against government forces in the Na Mo region of northwestern Luang Pra- bang Province. ( (MAP) 50X1 For The President Only?Too Secret Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/05/04 : CIA-RDP79T00936A000200040001-0 1-- 1:=A I -1 1=1 (=;0 ? Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/05/04: CIA-RDP79T00936A000200040001-0 3. Neutralist conference 50X1 Nehru continues to have little taste for the conference. An Indian diplomat quotes him as saying: "I look forward to attending the Belgrade conference with the same enthusiam as I used to anticipate recurring visits to a British jail." However, the Chinese Communists, hitherto lukewarm about the meeting because of its Yugoslav setting, are now showing interest to the extent that they plan to send five newsmen 50X11 50X1 50X For The President Only?Top Secret Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/05/04 : CIA-RDP79T00936A000200040001-0 1 50X1 50X1 50X1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/05/04 : CIA-RDP79T00936A000200040001-0 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/05/04 : CIA-RDP79T00936A000200040001-0 LA I I 1 F=1 1---1 L1 11 r r r- -I . Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/05/04 : CIA-RDP79T00936A000200040001-0 ' NOTES Preparations for an extended range firing of a Soviet ICBM appear to be underway. Two of the missile range instrumen- tation ships, which took part in the recent man-in-space operation, are near Midway and the other two are apparently now also headed for the Central Pacific. The attempt could come AR soon as R*1-7rday. The last similar shot, f-ccurred in Jnlv . In a rare display of indiscipline which could be symptomatic of growing distemper, 2,000 Chinese rioted in Shanghai last week. They were angered by their inability to get river boat transport because of disruption caused by floods. 50X1 50)(1 E50X1 50X1 50X1 E. Anti-Gaullists are hdping fo stir up new trouble in Algeria this week. They expect a Moslem demonstration in support of Tunisia which they would use to provoke police and army 50X1 intervention. 50X1 50X1 ,50X1 J\J/V I For The President Univ?Ion Secret Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/05/04 : CIA-RDP79T00936A000200040001-0 r--1 ? . Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/05/04 : CIA-RDP79T00936A000200040001-0 F. In British Guiana yesterday, Cheddi Jagan was injured, evidently not seriously, when attacked by followers of an opposition party. Elections are scheduled for next Monday 50X1 For The President Only?Too Secret Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/05/04 : CIA-RDP79T00936A000200040001-0 ? . Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/05/04 : CIA-RDP79T00936A000200040001-0 WATCH COMMITTEE CONCLUSIONS-16 August 1961 No Sino-Soviet bloc country intends to initiate direct mil- itary action in the immediate future. We have no evidence of any significant or abrupt change in the Soviet military posture in the direc- tion of increased readiness for general hostilities, but the USSR is continuing its efforts to improve its military capability. We have no evidence of a redirection of the civil sectors of the USSR to- ward mobilization. The Communists have, by their actions in East Berlin and East Germany, effectively stopped the refugee flow while main- taining control over popular reaction. There are no indications that a large-scale uprising in East Berlin and East Germany is likely. Current alerts and redeployments of certain Soviet ground and air units in the Berlin area appear directed primarily at providing backup for East German military and security units now blocking the refugee flow into West Berlin, For The President Only?Top Secret Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/05/04 : CIA-RDP79T00936A000200040001-0 50X1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/05/04 : CIA-RDP79T00936A000200040001-0 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/05/04 : CIA-RDP79T00936A000200040001-0