CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1952/03/19

Document Type: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
02046564
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
U
Document Page Count: 
7
Document Creation Date: 
May 24, 2019
Document Release Date: 
May 30, 2019
Sequence Number: 
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
March 19, 1952
File: 
AttachmentSize
PDF icon CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULL[15638410].pdf233.17 KB
Body: 
Approved for Release: 2019/05/08 CO2046564s# TOP SE Y INFORMATION 3.5(c) 19 March 1952 Copy No. CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETEsi DOCUMENT NO t?'"'" - NO CHANGE IN CLASS. pC [ DECLASSIFIF.D CLASS. CliANCriD TO: TS C NEXT 11EVZIN D ?:"1 4410 , AU1 DAta ef df Office of Current Intelligence CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY 3.5(c, 3.5(c). 3.5(c) TOP SE INFORMATION Approved for Release: 2019/05/08 CO2046564 Approved for Release: 2019/05/08 CO2046564 P--SECRET SUMMARY USSR I. Embassy Moscow comments on Soviet proposal for German treaty (page 3). FAR EAST 2. Situation of Chinese Nationalists in Burma reviewed (page 3). NEAR EAST - AFRICA 3. British military mission to Israel planned (page 3). 4. Comment on arrest of two Egyptian Wafd leaders (page 4). 5. Greek Government's attempt to restore proportional electoral system blocked (page 4). 6. Reopening of the Bulgarian-Turkish border suggested (page 5). WESTERN EUROPE 7. West German Protestant chief to remove neutralist leaders age 6). 8. De Gaulle reportedly willing to cooperate with other French parties (page 6). - 2 - TO ET Approved for Release: 2019/05/08 CO2046564 Approved for Release: 2019/05/08 CO2046564 ET 3.5(c) USSR Embassy Moscow comments on Soviet proposal for German treaty: 3.3(h)(2) The US Embassy in Moscow believes that the Soviet proposal for a German peace treaty is designed simply to delay West German re- armament and integration with the West. Seeing Soviet control over East Germany as essential to Russian ob- jectives in Europe, the Embassy does not concur with the line of reason- ing that the Soviet proposal might mean a willingness to relinquish this control. FAR EAST 2. Situation of Chinese Nationalists in Burma reviewed: 3.3(h)(2) There are 9,000 to 10,000 Chinese Nationalist troops in northeastern Burma, /all but 2,000 are under Li M"- ug morale is currently "not too low," it is difficult to 3.3(h)(2) maintain. The Thai have not supplied new arms or ammunition, rein- forcements from Formosa have been negligible, and there are no plans to cross the border into Yunnan. � NEAR EAST - AFRICA 3. British military mission to Israel planned: The Foreign Ministers of Great Britain and Israel, during a conference on 11 March, agreed to initiate diplomatic discussions on a proposed British military mission to Israel. - 3 - 3.3(h)(2) 3.5(c) Approved for Release: 2019/05/08 CO2046564 rApproved for Release: 2019/05/08 CO2046564 J.0 1.11E'r 3.5(c) Israeli Foreign Minister Sharrett asked Foreign Secretary Eden for obsolete military equipment, specifically light artillery and trainer aircraft, either as a gift or on a long-term loan basis. Sharrett also proposed closer economic relations. Comment: Israel has been fearful lest possible Arab participation in the proposed Middle East Command might act to its disadvantage. It has, therefore, been showing increased Interest in effecting closer ties with the West. Any British mission to Israel will, on the other hand, arouse Arab suspicions of Western motives. 4. Comment on arrest of two Egyptian Wafd leaders: The arrest of former Egyptian Minister of Interior Serageddin and the former Wald Minister of Social Affairs indicates that Prime Minister Hilali has now seriously embarked on his clean-up campaign. According to reliable information from Cairo, the arrests were made after a special cabinet meeting, and it is planned to exile both men to their home villages. The action against Serageddin, the influential Secretary General of the Wafd, makes it almost certain that Hilali will now be strongly opposed overtly and covertly by the well-organized majority party. Hilali's ability to handle the Wald depends not only on the temporary maintenance of martial law, but also ultimately on achieving a settlement with Britain which is acceptable to the people. 5. Greek Government's attempt to restore proportional electoral system blocked: 3.3(h)(2) 3.3(h)(2) Acting Prime Minister Venizelos' recent attempt to force a bill through Parliament which would restore the proportional electoral system has been temporarily defeated, ac- erican Ambassador. - 4 - 3.5(c) Approved for Release: 2019/05/08 CO2046564 t,...0Approved for Release: 2-019/05/08 CO2046564 TO ET 3.5(c) Despite Venizelos' assertion to the contrary, the Ambassador is convinced that Venizelos, the Palace, and Constantine Rendis, a leader in Plastiras' EPEK Party, were intent on having the law passed quickly; and a fait accompli was avoided only because Prime Minister Plastiras heard of the move and the American Embassy published its strong objections. Comment: The American Embassy in Athens has long felt that the proportional electoral system favored by Venizelos and many Greek politicians would bring back the welter of small parties which has effectively hindered recovery in Greece. Accordingly, the Ambassador has been urging the employment of the simple majority system, which would favor General Papagos in any future election. 6. Reopening of the Bulgarian-Turkish border suggested: \ the Turkish \ Government has recently submitted new proposals to the Bulgarian Government for the reopening of the Bulgarian-Turkish border. Comment: No further information has been received concerning the negotiations The Turkish-Bulgarian border was ordered closed by Turkish authorities on 8 November as a result of difficulties arising from Bulgaria's refusal to readmit "gypsies" who had crossed into Turkey on the strength of forged visas. Although a reopening of the border is well within the realm of possibility, it seems doubtful that Bulgaria, with its labor shortage, will be willing to allow the emigration of able-bodied Turks to continue. 5 3.3(h)(2) 3.3(h)(2) TOP ET Approved for Release: 2019/05/08 CO2046564 3.5(c) Approved for Release: 2019/05/08 CO2046564 ToCP SECRET 3.5(c) WESTERN .EUROPE.- 7. West German Protestant chief to remove neutralist leaders: Martin Niemoeller and Gustav Heinemann, both leading neutralists, are about to be repudiated by other high officials in the West German Evangelical Church, according to a reliable church source. The source states confidentially that Niemoeller will shortly be ousted from the church council9 and that Heinemann's resignation as Evangelical Synod President is anticipated. This action stems from the desire of Protestant circles to dissociate the church from the remilitarization issue which has been jeopardizing church unity, and to clarify the church's relationship to politics. 3.3(h)(2) Bishop Dibelius, head of the Evangelical Church, does not believe that Niemoeller will support the establishment of a sepa- rate state church in East Germany. Comment: This new development had been partly presaged by recent Protestant attacks on Heinemann in Parliament. It will have the effect of weakening the appeal of neutralism in West Germany. 8. De Gaulle reportedly willing to cooperate with other French parties: 3.3(h)(2) 3.3(h)(2) General De Gaulle's true position is not so uncompromising as indicated in his statements to the press on 10 March. De Gaulle will allow 3.3(h)(2) members of his party to join a coalition government under a non-Gaullist 6 - 3.5(c) Approved for Release: 2019/05/08 CO2046564 Approved for Release: 2019/05/08 CO2046564 TOI) SECRET 3.5(c) leader like Rene Mayer or Paul Reynaud, provided constitutional changes within three months are promised. The only changes he will insist upon are the restoration of legislative power to the upper house of Parliament, authority for the Cabinet to dissolve the Assembly, and the right of the � President and Cabinet to initiate legislation. Comment: In view of De Gaulle's recent leniency toward RPF deputies who broke party discipline over the investi- ture of Premier Pinay, practical politicians among his lieutenants can be expected to push for additional compromise with political realities. While a rightist coalition offers the best chance for political and economic stability in France, this solution is precluded for the time being by the fundamental opposition of many centrist deputies. 7 - TOP ET Approved for Release: 2019/05/08 CO2046564 3.5(c)