CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1955/09/08

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Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
02027256
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RIPPUB
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U
Document Page Count: 
12
Document Creation Date: 
September 20, 2019
Document Release Date: 
September 26, 2019
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Publication Date: 
September 8, 1955
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PDF icon CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULL[15721944].pdf344.54 KB
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Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 .7".4V ff0/17:1% �T-OP SECRET , /47, Copy No. 99 CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN NO CHANGE IN CLASS. / 1.! DECLASSIRED CLASS. CHANGED TO: IS S C NEXT REVIEW DATE- /.?OJU DOCUMENT NO Li AUTH: HR 70-2 ,060 DATE 4,6 310 REVIEWER. Office of Current Intelligence CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY TOP SECRET Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 CO2027256 9 c7259 -r 3.3(h)W) " ---- 3.5(c) / 8 September 1955 0 Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 CO2027256 Nmas -4001 Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 CO2027256 Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 CO2027256 I w1 OL:441kE.� I CONTENTS 1. SOVIET lNTELLIGENCE AGENTS REPORTEDLY SEE "NO WAR FOR YEARS, IF EVER" (page 3). 2. PRESSURE GROWING FOR REDUCTION OF CHINA TRADE CONTROLS (page 4). 30 CANADA FAVORS EARLY RECOGNITION OF CHINESE COMMUNIST REGIME (page 5); 4. TOWARD WEST (page 6)o 5. VIETMINH APPEALS ELECTIONS ISSUE (page 7) YUGOSLAV ATTITUDE ON 6. COMMENT ON ANTI-GREEK RIOTING IN TURKEY (page 8). 8 Sept 55 THE FORMOSA STRAITS (page 9) Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 2 TOP SECRET Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 CO2027256 Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 CO2027256 I 'L.J1 IJL.A..114.,La I Nair I. SOVIET INTELLIGENCE AGENTS REPORTEDLY SEE "NO WAR FOR YEARS, IF EVER" Comment These views appear to be an accurate reflection of the premises underlying Moscow's long-range strategy. The Soviet leaders proba- bly believe their conciliatory policy will generate growing psychological pressures on Western governments which will eventually result in important changes in their policies toward the Sino-Soviet bloc. Isolated "acts of terrorism" and the currently stepped-up redefection campaign among former Soviet citizens living abroad have already combined to lower emigre morale, and the lessening of East-West ten- sion will tend to facilitate infiltration and subversion. 8 Sept 55 Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 3 TOP srenFT Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 CO2027256 � Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 CO2027256 A 4.-11 Ai....11.-e1 VA-.4 I 'WNW 2. PRESSURE GROWING FOR REDUCTION OF CHINA TRADE CONTROLS "Very few" COCOM members are inclined to support retention of the present strict controls over trade with the Communist Far East, ac- cording to the American COCOM delegation in Paris. The French proposal to reduce controls on trade with the Communist Far East to the level of restrictions against the Soviet bloc is likely to receive strong support from Japan, Denmark, and Portugal. Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Norway, and Italy would probably continue to favor re- duction of controls. Turkey, probably Greece, and possi- bly Canada can be expected to follow the American lead to maintain the status quo. Britain and West Germany clearly favor reduction, but it is not clear how far they will go in the face of American opposition. Comment Barring a Far Eastern crisis, it appears likely that a strong initiative to abolish or reduce the China differential will dominate the COCOM Consultative Group meeting later this year. One effect of such a reduction would be to vitiate the UN resolution of May 1951 prohibiting strategic trade with Communist China and North Korea. This resolution is based directly on the UN resolution of February 1951 de- claring Communist China an aggressor. The latter reso- lution is a major obstacle to consideration of Peiping's membership in the UN. The British and French are already pressing for re-examination of controls on trade with the entire Sino-Soviet bloc as a matter of urgency and regard- less of the outcome of any international conference. (Concurred in by ORR) 8 Sept 55 Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 4 TnP .cF.CPVT Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 CO2027256 Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 CO2027256 A #I� &..111-06,...111.11-4 NINO 3. CANADA FAVORS EARLY RECOGNITION OF CHINESE COMMUNIST REGIME Canadian external affairs minister Pearson has informed the United States embassy in Ottawa that the Canadian government strongly be- lieves the Peiping regime should be recognized "sooner rather than later," possibly in a year. He said the ac- tion should be taken, if only to obtain first-hand infor- mation from Peiping. Canada has no intention of pressing for the admission of Communist China to the UN now, Pearson indicated, and will probably support the United States' position at the forthcoming General Assembly session. He said his own recent public statement favor- ing admission of Peiping was a trial balloon. Comment Canada has tended to favor establish- ment of relations with the Chinese Communists since early 1953. Pearson's remarks sug- gest that Canada finds no substantial reasons for further delay but will be guided as to timing by the views of Britain and other countries whose general attitude it shares. Canada has indicated that it would support a Belgian proposal to establish a UN study com- mission on the Chinese representation issue. 8 Sept 55 Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 5 TOP SECRET Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 CO2027256 -mme� Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 CO2027256 None I I 4� irUGOSLAV ATTITUDE TOWARD WEST Comment There have been numerous recent in- dications that Yugoslav officials are becoming increasingly concerned over the possible effect of the rapid improvement in relations with the USSR on Yugoslavia's relations with the West. The Yugoslays will probably make re- newed gestures of friendship to the West in connection with Tito's official trip to France from 20 to 25 October and Vice President Kardelys visit to Great Britain in mid-November. 8 Sept 55 Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 6 TOP SECRET Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 CO2027256 Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 CO2027256 i jr i vor 5. VIET MINH APPEALS ELECTIONS ISSUE Comment ON This appeal at the international level follows the failure of Viet Minh efforts to induce premier Diem to enter into election consulta- tions. If Diem does not begin talks with the Viet Minh, the USSR may raise the question at the Big Four foreign ministers' meeting in October. 8 Sept 55 Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 7 TOP SECRET Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 CO2027256 Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 CO2027256 6. COMMENT ON ANTI-GREEK RIOTING IN TURKEY The rioting in Istanbul and Izmir on 6 September indicates that the wide breach which has developed in recent months between Greece and Turkey at the diplomatic level has spread to the general public. The riots were apparently spontaneous, but the Ankara government is searching for evidence of Communist involvement. According to observations by the American consul general in Istanbul, the police stood idly by or cheered the mob which was looting shops. Only later did troops supported with tanks restore order. Popular emotions now running high in both Greece and Turkey will probably be sharply controlled by the two governments. In relations between the countries, however, antagonisms which have been created by the Cyprus issue will increase mutual recriminations over other issues and seriously reduce area defense co-operation. 8 Sept 55 Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 8 Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 CO2027256 Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 CO2027256 L, BIWEEKLY SUMMARY (25 August-7 September 1955) THE FORMOSA STRAITS Report of the IAC Current Intelligence Group for the Formosa Straits Problem 1. Military activity in the area was extremely quiet apart from increased artillery shelling begun on 2 Septem- ber by the Chinese Nationalists. The shelling rose to a high on 4 September, when the Communists fired 253 rounds and the Nationalists fired 1,358. The situation returned to normal on 6 September. This activity is not believed to sig- nify any impending attack by the Communists. 3. Another Chinese Communist railway engineer divi- sion (the Fifth Railway Engineer Division) has been identi- fied and located in Fukien Province. This makes a total of six such divisions now accepted as engaged in construction of the projected railway that will connect Amoy with the main trunk line south of the Yangtze River. 4. According to a Chinese Nationalist report uncon- firmed by other sources, two Chinese Communist "Frogman Raid Groups" totalling about 480 men arrived in the Amoy area on 2 August. Chinese Nationalist authorities express 8 Sept 55 Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 9 TOP SECRET Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 002027256 Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 CO2027256 41 A., /1.-444,41 I concern that the arrival of these units may be a pre- liminary indication of an amphibious invasion of the offshore islands. There is no evidence in other in- telligence reporting to support the claim of Chinese Communist UDT Units in the Amoy area, and there have been no other recent indications of an invasion build-up there. 5. Peiping continued to devote only perfunctory at- tention to the Formosa Strait question during the past two weeks. However, the tone of Peiping propaganda dealing with US policies in Asia became more critical than it had been during the early weeks of the talks at Geneva between US and Chinese Communist representatives. 8 Sept 55 Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 10 �TefLSEGRET Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 CO2027256 - Primary roads Secondary roads Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 CO2027256 FORMOSA STRAITS SITUATION NAUTICAL MILLS 50 lop 0 100 10 STATUTE MILES 150 !It'll Railroad Proposed railroad ,q- � A OPERATIONAL O A SERVICEABLE � A UNKNOWN UNDER CONSTRUCT ION MIG.15, MIG.17,1OU.4, 1L.28 01-2, IL-10, LA-9/11, LI.2, ETC. UNKNOWN FIELDS NOT CONSIDERED CAPABLE OF SUPPORTING SUSTAINED OPERATIONS AT PRESENT. * NATIONALIST AIRFIELD COMMUNIST AIRFIELD LEGEND USABILITY DESIGNATIONS PRIMARY: CONSIDERED MOST IMPORTANT IN AREA, WITH PREPARED RUNWAY GENERALLY 5000 FEET OR LONGER. SECONDARY: AUXILIARY OR EMERGENCY RASES, OR FIELDS OF LESSER IMPORTANCE. RUNWAYS GENERALLY LESS THAN 5000 FEET. CPERATIONAL: ACTIVE BASE FOR MILITARY & CIVILIAN AIRCRAFT. SOME BASES USED BY PISTON TYPES MAY 'BE 4SABLE BY JETS. SERVICEABLE: INACTIVE BASES CAPABLE OF USE BY AIRCRAFT UNKNOWN: CURRENT STATUS UNDETERMINED. -28 SHA ..- NANKIN ( rm./7- �jek. N 131_W NANCHA WENCHOW U N G CHEN SW OW TADY0 ORISON / - - 265,000 PINSTUNG 114 116 NGHAI U GSHAN PEI I LAN 1?0 122 Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 CO2027256 LNINSI3