CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1953/03/19

Document Type: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
02050138
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
U
Document Page Count: 
6
Document Creation Date: 
July 15, 2019
Document Release Date: 
July 22, 2019
Sequence Number: 
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
March 19, 1953
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PDF icon CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULL[15671700].pdf185.31 KB
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pproved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2050138 SEC TOPS' R.L7' INFORMATION 19 March 1953 3.5(c) fid Copy No. 6 0 CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN DOCUMENT NO. 6111 NO CHANGE IN CLASS. El DECLASSIFIED CLASS. CHANGED TO: TS C NEXT REVIEW DATE' AUTH: HR 70-2 DATE), FIEVIEVVER: 3.5(c) Office of Current Intelligence CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY 3.5(c) / TOP SF SECU NFORMATION ET I Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2050138 Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2050138 Nowt-11. ' 1 SECURITY INFORMATION 3.5(c) SUMMARY SOVIET UNION 1. USSR tests its northern radar defenses (page 3). NEAR EAST - AFRICA 2. Mossadeq plans extensive changes in Iranian army commands /(page 3). . Mossadeq prepares public statement on breakdown of oil negotiations (page 4). WESTERN EUROPE 4. 5, 6. Austrian Chancellor may give up attempt to form government (page 5). Atlantic Community as alternative to EDC seen gaining support in Belgium (page 5). * * * * 2 3.3(h)(2) 3.5(c) TO CRET Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2050138 3.5(c) _��� Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2050138 N1..1 I )IJL 1 RITY INFORMATION 3.5(c) SOVIET UNION 1. USSR tests its northern radar defenses: a target aircraft, possibly a TU-4, flew 1500 nautical miles over the northern area of the European USSR in a radar-tracking exercise. The plane flew north irom the Leningrad area, crossed the Karelo-Finnish Republic to Murmansk, then returned south to the Smolensk area. Soviet air defense capabilities in the northern USSR were improved in early 1952 by the deployment of jet fighters in the area. Later in 1952 a modern radar installation was reported near Murmansk. NEAR EAST - AFRICA 2. Mossadeq plans extensive changes in Iranian army commands: 3.3(h)(2) 3.3(h)(2) 3.3(h)(2) newly-appointed Chief of 3.3(h)(2)- Staff Riahi intended to make extensive changes In the army. The changes reportedly were to affect the headquarters staff, the military police, and the military school. Some of the division commanders in the provinces were also to be shifted. Prime Minister Mossadeq allegedly decided on these moves after receiving numerous reports that general officers were openly expressing loyalty to the Shah. - 3 - TOT ECRET Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2050138 3.5(c) Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2050138 Niame.J.1. %...314N.....1.A.L. 1 SEtURITY INFORiviAt ION 3.5(c) Comment: Seven command changes, including staff, military police and provincial divisions, were announced on 11 March. Officers loyal to the government rather than to the Shah were put in responsible posts. More reassignments can be expected as Mossadeq continues to consolidate his position. 3. Mossadeq prepares public statement on breakdown of oil negotiations: On 17 March Prime Minister Mossadeq sent Ambassador Henderson the text of the speech, scheduled to be delivered on 20 March, in which he will announce the breakdown in the British-Iranian oil talks. In the speech Mossadeq reiterates that Iran can never pay the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company compensation for loss of future profits: to do so would violate the principle of nationalization. A settlement has not been reached, he will claim, because the British expected Iranian traitors to install a government favorable to Britain. Mossadeq plans also to state that he will negotiate at any time that Britain is ready to consider Iran's rights. The Iranian Government is willing to reserve 25 percent of its net oil revenues to pay compensation for the oil installations and to sub- mit to adjudication by the International Court, providing prior agree- ment is reached on the basis for making claims. Alternatively, Iran is prepared to enter into direct negotiations with Britain. Comment: Mossadeq's lengthy and somewhat contradictory speech, which includes distortions and recriminations, offers no prospects for a settlement. While he leaves the door open for a renewal of oil talks, he has not altered his basic position. Resumption of oil talks under Mossadeq's conditions would require Britain to abandon a point which it feels is - 4 - 3.3(h)(2) TOP RET Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2050138 3.5(c) Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2050138 N4.100_,E RITY INFORMATION 3.5(c) fundamental for safeguarding international business interests-- compensation for loss of expected profits during the balance of a cancelled concession. The proposed speech exhibits unusual restraint toward the United States, despite recent indications of Increasing antagonism. He apparently continues to hope for American aid. WESTERN EUROPE 4. Austrian Chancellor may give up attempt to form government: The American Embassy in Austria reports that negotiations between the Socialists and the People's Party for the formation of a government are approaching a critical stage. Unless Chancellor Figl is able to form a government this week, he may give up the attempt. People's Party leaders state that if an agree- ment cannot be reached with the Socialists, the People's Party will probably attempt to form a temporary minority government pending new elections. Comment: It is doubtful that the People's Party could form a minority government at this time, since it would need the support of the Union of Independents, which is far from united on current People's Party policies. 5. Atlantic Community as alternative to EDC seen gaining support in Belgium: Ambassador Cowen reports that some prominent Belgian political leaders who doubt that France will ratify the EDC - 5 - 3.3(h)(2) 3.3(h)(2) TO CRFT Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2050138 3.5(c) Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2050138 ECURITY INFORMATION 3.5(c) Treaty are insisting on a broader union based on the Atlantic Community instead of the proposed European� defense and political communities. Such views will gain increasing support the longer French ratification is delayed. Comment: The idea of a confederation� to include most of the Atlantic nations, which was sidetracked when the European Defense Community scheme came to the forefront, is apparently receiving renewed consideration both on the Continent and in Britain as an alternative in the event the EDC Treaty is not ratified. A 17 February French Foreign Ministry circular message stated that the best way to achieve European integration is for France to strengthen its ties with the Atlantic Community. 6 3.3(h)(2) TOPECRET Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2050138 3.5(c)