CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1953/02/06

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Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
02020574
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
U
Document Page Count: 
8
Document Creation Date: 
July 15, 2019
Document Release Date: 
July 22, 2019
Sequence Number: 
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
February 6, 1953
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PDF icon CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULL[15671767].pdf266.17 KB
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Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2020574, 1.04. TOP SE ET SECURI FORMATION Copy No. 53 CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN DOCUMENT NO. 1 13 NO CHANGE IN CLASS. X, 0 DECLASSIFIED CLASS. CHANGED TO: TS NEXT REVIEW DATE: AUTH: 70-2 DATE: 35( 1/ . 6 February 1953 c' 3.5(c) $wicteq REVIEWER: Office of Current Intelligence CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY INFORMATION ET 3.5(c) 3.5(c) 3.5(c) Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2020574 Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2020574 TtzriFsECRET 3.5(c) SUMMARY SOVIET UNION 1. New MIG type identified in Soviet Far East (page 3). FAR EAST 2. New Chinese Communist army reported in Korea (page 3). SOUTHEAST ASIA. 3. Viet Minh increasing supply operations in Tonkin (page 4). NEAR EAST - AFRICA 4. Russians voice suspicion of Point IV activities in northern Iran (page 5). 5. Britain prepared to compromise on retention of British officials in Sudan (page 5). 6. Khartoum may seek political solution from Sudan Parliament (page 6). EASTERN EUROPE 7. Czechs prepare to institute propaganda broadcasts to Africa and Asia (page 6). WESTERN EUROPE 8. Austrians press West for maximum effort to end occupation (page 7). 9. French municipal elections may delay Assembly EDC debate (page 7). 10. France apparently prepared to make concessions on Tunisia (page 8). -2 3.5(c) TO CRET Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2020574 3.5(c) Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2020574 SOVIET UNION 1. New MIG type identified in Soviet Far East: 2, the appearance of a new MIG type in the Soviet Far East, identi- fied as the MIG-19. Comment: This is additional evidence that the modifications known to be uriaii: way on the MIG-15 have resulted in a new operational version of the standard Soviet jet fighter. the effective dive brake area in the MIG' s then in production was being increased 70 percent, and that additional modifications were being made. Larger dive brakes would improve the maneuverability of the MIG. FAR EAST New Chinese Communist army reported in Korea: A new Chinese Communist army, possibly the 44th, Comment: In the past all armies which have come to Korea from tETTilh Field Army have been attached to the 13th Army Group. Until this reported move, the 44th Army had been stationed near Canton. 3.5(c) 3.3(h)(2) 3.3(h)(2) 3.3(h)(2) 3.5(c) Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2020574 Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2020574 �SECRET 3.5(c) SOUTHEAST ASIA. 3. Viet Minh increasing supply operations in Tonkin: 3.3(h)(2) Meanwhile, the American Army Attache in Saigon stated that in northwestern Tonkin, during the past week, 40 trucks were reported by the French moving south from the Tonkin border town of Laokay to Yen Bay. Normal traffic on this route is four trucks per week. The Army Attache's report supplements unconfirmed information improved Chinese transportation facilities north of Laokay, and sug- gests the possibility that this western route will assume more impor- tance in the future. Most Chinese supplies to the Viet Minh have in the past entered Tonkin by routes considerably to the east. A rate of 40 trucks per week, if maintained, could provide the Viet Minh in northwestern Tonkin with 400 to 500 tons of materiel per month. Large supplies in this area would facil- itate the consolidation of the Viet Minh's recently acquired territory in northwestern Tonkin. - 4 - 3.3(h)(2) 3.3(h)(2) 3.5(c) Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2020574 Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2020574 T-SECRET 3.5(c) NEAR EAST - AFRICA 4. Russians voice suspicion of Point. IV activities in northern Iran: Prime Minister Mossadeq reported to Ambassador Henderson on 3 February that Russia is suspicious of Point IV activity in the Caspian area and has pointed out that the program "is beginning to post announcements as though it were an integral part, of the Iranian Government." Mossadeq said he did not believe that Iran or Point IV would suffer if the latter transferred its activities further south. Comment: Moscow has adopted a con- ciliatory attitude toward the liquiaaion of the fisheries agreement, but is unlikely to accept any foreign activity in this sensitive area without bringing pressure on the Iranian Government, 5. Britain prepared to compromise on retention of British officials in the Sudan: The British Ambassador in Cairo has been authorized to accept the Egyptian demand that the British relinquish all adminis- trative posts in the Sudan within three years, according to an Embassy officer. In return, Britain insists that the self-determination procedure take place under international super- vision and that Egypt accept the British proposal on safeguards for the southern Sudan. Comment: This British decision would provide the solution to one of the two major barriers to an Anglo- Egyptian agreement. 7 5 - 3.3(h)(2) 3.3(h)(2) TOP SECRET Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2020574 3.5(c) Approved for Release: 2016/06/26 CO2020574 ribteSECRET 3.5(c) 6. Khartoum may seek political solution from Sudan Parliament: The Sudan Government is considering ask1ng3.3(h)(2) Sudanese political leaders to have the par- liament determine the country's future if the current Anglo-Egyptian talks break down, according to the American Liaison Officer in Khartoum. British officials in the Sudan Government believe that Sudanese leaders would agree to elections on this basis. Comment: There is no indication that London supports this proposed burse of action, particularly since its ambassador in Cairo has received instructions which reportedly "go a long way" toward meeting the Egyptian position. The Sudan Government's suggestion would be adamantly opposed by EgypL EASTERN EUROPE 7. Czechs prepare to institute propaganda broadcasts to Africa and Asia: On 29 January the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed its representatives in Turkey, Indonesia, Belgian Congo and South Africa of a plan to institute short-wave broadcasts to those areas during the second half of 1953. Comment: Czechoslovakia will be the first Eastern European Satellite to broadcast regularly and openly to Asia and Africa, and appears to be assuming the leadership among the Satellites in supporting Soviet propaganda to these areas. On 25 November the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed Czech missions outside the Orbit that it was preparing to start the worldwide distribution of French and English-language editions of an official Czech magazine. - 6 3.3(h)(2) TOP -"Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2020574 3.5(c) Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2020574 Tt)) SECRET 3.5(c) WESTERN EUROPE 8. Austrians press West for maximum effort to end occupation: the negotiations long as possible is one which the Western help. Foreign Minister Gruber has told the three Western High Commissioners that Austria "would pay almost any price" to get the Russians out of the country. He urged that scheduled to start on 6 February be prolonged as in an effort to ascertain whether the "Soviet price" Austrian Parliament would consider bearable with Comment: The USSR is unlikely to sign a treaty at this stage. The Western deputies, however, are agreed to an eventual detailed review of the long draft if this is desired by the Soviet Union. In this case there would be strong pressure from the Austrians; British, and French to accept its economic articles. 9. French municipal elections may delay Assembly EDC debate: French National Assembly debate of the EDC treaty cannot be expected until May, in the opinion of the Secretary of the Foreign Affairs Committee. He explains that under the most favorable circumstances the treaty could not come to the Assembly floor before 15 April, when the imminence of the municipal elections, now tentatively scheduled for 3 May, would postpone a debate. Comment: In view of Secretary Dulles' pressure for quick action, Foreign Minister Bidault may press for earlier consideration. However, the present temper of the Assembly, as indicated by the recent appointments of two anti-EDC deputies to report the treaty out of committee, suggests a tendency to resent pressure. - 7 - 3.3(h)(2) 3.3(h)(2) TOP ET Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2020574 3.5(c) Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2020574 TtrCRET 3.5(c) 10. France apparently prepared to make concessions on Tunisia: France is now prepared to make concessions on Tunisia going beyond the 1952 reform program, according to a spokesman for the French Residency in Tunis. He states that both Premier Mayer and Foreign Minister Bidault feel that the time for a settlement is approaching. Progress in this direction, however, will depend on Tunisian willingness to cooperate. Bidault, according to this spokesman, will accept a resumption of negotiations by direct conversations between the Bey and the Resident. He is ready to consider Tunisian sug- gestions for "far-reaching changes" in the program proposed by France last year. The American Consul General in Tunis sees a fair chance that this new approach will succeed, but enumer- ates various obstacles still to be overcome. Comment: Mayer appears to be adopting a more realistic policy on Tunisia than Pinay and may be more willing to follow a line closer to the 1952 UN General Assembly resolution urging resumption of French-Tunisian negotiations. - 8 - 3.3(h)(2) 3.5(c) Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2020574