CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1954/12/28

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Current/Central Intelligence Bulletin Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 02027254
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: August 20, 2019
• Document Release Date: August 30, 2019
• Publication Date: December 28, 1954

, . Approved for Release: 2019/08713 CO2027254,
rfrileariaA 7.128-E) C R E T W/r/7/7,717,4
/
3i c
()(2)
3
28 December 1954
uopy No.
CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN
DOCUMENT NO. - 7
NO CHANGE IN CLASS.
Li DECLASSIFIED
CLASS. CHANGED TO: TS S C
NEXT REVIEW DATE. .P0 /0
A,UTH: HR 70-2
DATE: ..21ilde, _ REVIEWER
Office of Current Intelligence
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
SO
717/10,#1734 T 0 P R E T Wiffizer4
Approved for Release: 2019/08/13 CO2027254
Approved for Release: 2019/08/13 CO2027254
�..1.1 v.., %LA I
NNW Nine
SUMMARY
GENERAL
1. Finland may accept Soviet proposal to construct oil refinery
(page 3).
FAR EAST
2. Comment on Peiping's release of major political prisoner (page 3).
SOUTHEAST ASIA
3.
4.
Laotian government regards conversations with Pathet Lao as
necessity (Daze 4).
(page 5).
NEAR EAST - AFRICA
5. Libya and France to resume negotiations on Fezzan (page 6).
LATIN AMERICA
6. Imminent attempt to oust Guatemalan government rumored (page 6).
* * * *
28 Dec 54 CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 2
TOP CRET
Approved for Release: 2019/08/13 CO2027254
Approved for Release: 2019/08/13 CO2027254
1 tir 11.-.L.11./..
Noe 11010
GENERAL
1. Finland may accept Soviet proposal to construct oil refinery:
In.response to an invitation from the
Soviet government, Finland will send a
technical mission to Moscow about
10 January to conpicier a Soviet proposal
o c ns ruc an si r inery. The Finnish Diet on 17 December
authorized the state-owned petroleum company to proceed with
plans for a major refinery.
The chairman of the board of the Finnish
state-owned petroleum company, who will head the delegation to
Moscow; would prefer technical aid and basic refinery equipment
from the West, relying on the USSR only for standard accessory
equipment. He feels, however, that if the Soviet proposals are
highly advantageous, it may be hard to keep the door open for
Western participation.
Comment: The Diet's decision affords
the USSR an opportunity, -gri--niTai7ro that it has capitalized on in
Afghanistan, to extend its economic influence in Finland by mak-
ing an attractive offer of technical aid to an important state-
controlled project. The vote of the Finnish Diet had no connec-
tion with the recent cabinet crisis ana will not be affected by it.
The Soviet bloc already supplies more
than 90 percent of Finland's requirements for petroleum products,
and the USSR has indicated its willingness to furnish the entire
crude oil needs of the planned refinery. The USSR is one of Fin-
land's most important trading partners, and Soviet-Finnish trade
is scheduled to increase steadily through 1960 under the five-year
agreement signed in July of this year. -Concurred in
by ORR)
FAR EAST
2. Comment on Peipingb release of major political prisoner:
The reported release from Communist
China of a major political prisoner may
be important as establishing a precedent
28 Dec 54 CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETM Page 3
TOP SPCRET
Approved for Release: 2019/08/13 CO2027254
Approved for Release: 2019/08/13 CO2027254
bEs' UNE 1
\gee
Nov
for the eventual release of American airmen recently sentenced
to imprisonment as "spies."
An elderly Roman Catholic missionary,
sentenced in 1951 to life imprisonment on charges of conspiring
with an American officer to assassinate Mao Tse-tung, was re,
portedly released and expelled from Communist China on 26 De-
cember. Peiping had previously deported a number of foreigners
after having asserted its jurisdiction by sentencing them, but
none of those known to have been released had been sentenced on
charges as serious as those against this missionary.
Peiping's propaganda on the airmen's case
has continued to suggest that the door is open for a negotiated set-
tlement. This propaganda has also suggested, however, that Pei-
ping's asking price will be high, and that the prospects are poor
for the airmen's early release.
SOUTHEAST ASIA
3. Laotian government regards conversations with Pathet Lao as
necessity:
The Laotian government feels bound by
the cease-fire agreement to enter into discussions with the Pathet
Lao, but is attempting to ensure implementation of the agreement
in a manner which will keep Viet Minh influence at a minimum.
28 Dec 54 CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 4
T()P RFT
Approved for Release: 2019/08/13 CO2027254
Approved for Release: 2019/08/13 CO2027254
fief
.1l-1,effA.111t.
It has recently obtained the support of the International Control
Commission for its demand that Viet Minh truce officials be with-
drawn from Laos.
28 Dec 54
CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 5
riinr) rvr) rr
Approved for Release: 2019/08/13 CO2027254
Approved for Release: 2019/08/13 CO2027254
1 WI %.el %La A
'41111.e
NEAR EAST - AFRICA
5. Libya and France to resume negotiations on Fezzan:
The Libyan government has accepted
a French proposal that negotiations on
the Fezzan issue be resumed in Paris,
according to the French Foreign Minis-
try. France is prepared to recognize Libya's right to demand
departure of French forces in the area if Libya will provide guar-
antees adequate to meet French security requirements.
The Libyan government has suggested
that the talks begin in late December. The French prefer early
January.
Comment: The hostility in both the
Libyan and French parliaments to concessions on the Fezzan
issue will restrict both governments in their negotiations.
LATIN AMERICA
6. Imminent attempt to oust Guatemalan government rumored:
28 Dec 54
Elements of the Guatemalan army are
planning an attempt to oust the Castillo
Armas government, possibly during
the week of 26 December,
CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 6
TraD CDDT
Approved for Release: 2019/08/13 CO2027254
II
Approved for Release: ,2019/08/13 CO2027254
I vie
Comment: No army plot is believed
to exist at present, and it is unlikely that the army will move
against the government as long as Castillo enjoys his present
wide popular support.
This report and others like it, however,
are indicative of the growing unrest and lack of confidence in the
government, and this unrest could assume threatening propor-
tions within the next three to six months. Colonel Monzon, who
shared power with Castillo until last September but has since
assumed an inactive role, would then be a logical leader in any
army move against the present regime.
28 Dec 54 CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 7
TOP SEtRET
Approved for Release: 2019/08/13 CO2027254