CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1953/02/10

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Current/Central Intelligence Bulletin Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 02050115
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: July 15, 2019
• Document Release Date: July 22, 2019
• Publication Date: February 10, 1953

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10 February 1953
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CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN
DOCUMENT NO.
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Office of Current Intelligence
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
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SUMMARY
GENERAL
1. Comment on Stalin's interview with Argentine Ambassador (page 3).
FAR EAST
2. Army rotation between Korea and South China indicated (page 3).
SOUTHEAST ASIA
3. Communist subversive activity increases in Malaya (page 4).
NEAR EAST - AFRICA
4. Iran expresses interest in Middle Eastern defense (page 4).
5, Saudi Arabian King favors moderation toward West Germany
on Israeli reparations (page 5).
6. British evacuation of Suez bases would reportedly threaten
canal operation (page 6).
7. Anglo-Egyptian agreement on Sudan may be in sight (page 6).
WESTERN EUROPE
8. Italian Government to press for early EDC ratification (page 7).
LATIN AMERICA
9. Rift between Bolivian government and police rumored (page 8).
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GENERAL
1. Comment on Stalin's interview with Argentine Ambassador:
Stalin's granting of one of his rare
interviews to the new Argentine Ambassador is the first-known top
level Soviet effort to exploit the differences between the United
States and Latin American nations caused by the sharp rise in eco-
nomic nationalism and a wider acceptance of neutralist policies
in that area. Stalin's personal attention possibly ioreshadows a
greater interest in Latin America, to which Soviet diplomacy has
previously given relatively little attention.
Argentina is a suitable focal point for
divisive efforts because of Peron's advocacy of neutralism and
his efforts to substitute Argentine for United States leadership
in the Western hemisphere.
FAR EAST
2. Army rotation between Korea and South China indicated:
Numerous troop trains carrying heavy
equipment were seen moving north
from Canton in December and Sanuary,
Almost equally heavy troop
movements from the north were observed arriving in Canton during
the same period.
Comment: These reported troop move-
ments support indications in that a
large-scale troop rotation between Korea and South China is under
way. The armies believed to be leaving Korea are probably superior
in equipment and training to those moving from South China,
3
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SOUTHEAST ASIA
3. Communist subversive activity increases in Malaya;
Reports of increasing Communist
subversive activity in Malaya, par-
ticularly among trade unionists,
laborers, and lower middle-class
groups, have been confirmed by High
Commissioner Templer in Singapore. Although there is no
evidence as yet that this activity has reached disturbing pro-
portions, Templer admitted that the efficiency of government
Intelligence in detecting and opposing subversion is still "well
below" desired standards.
Comment: Increased subversive
activity by the Communists in Malaya and a corresponding
noticeable decrease in terrorism since mid-1952 apparently
reflect Communist directives issued late in 1951. Templer
is aware of the threat inherent in the changed Communist
tactics and has particularly emphasized the need to improve
Intelligence efforts since his arrival in Malaya a year ago.
NEAR EAST - AFRICA
4. Iran expresses interest in Middle Eastern defense:
Iranian Foreign Minister Fatemi
told Arab diplomatic representatives
in Tehran on 2 February that he hoped
Iran would be consulted before they
took any action on Middle Eastern defense.
The Jordanian Minister in Tehran,
who reported this to Ambassador Henderson, said that Fatemi
did not indicate what position Iran would take concerning such
an organization.
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Comment: Despite Iran's pro-
Western orientation, its neutralist foreign policy would not
permit it to sign any agreement such as the proposed Western-
backed Middle East Defense Organization. Iran has previously
expressed an interest in taking a more prominent position in
Middle Eastern affairs, however, and it might be interested
in a purely regional defense pact.
5. Saudi Arabian King favors moderation toward West Germany
on Israeli reparations:
Comment: King Ibn Saud tradition-
ally exerts considerable inTriFence in the Arab world. His
moderate attitude, which is similar to the conciliatory position
unofficially adopted by Egyptian leaders, may partly account
for the fact that Bonn and Arab representatives are making
some progress in their current trade negotiations.
Barring a violent popular reaction
to the expected Bundestag ratification, Arab League opposi-
tion to the West German action will probably result only in
a face-saving boycott against certain German firms dealing
with Israel, rather than in a general Arab boycott of West
Germany.
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TICSEC