CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1953/03/24

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Current/Central Intelligence Bulletin Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 02050142
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: July 15, 2019
• Document Release Date: July 22, 2019
• Publication Date: March 24, 1953

Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2050142
SECU INFORMATION
TOPS RET
/fif
24 March 1953
3.5(c)
Copy No,
CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN
DOCUMENT NO.
NO CHAIsIGE IN CLASS. olit.
El DECLASSIFIED
CLASS. CHANGED TO: TS SO
NEXT REVIEW DATE:
AVM 7O-
DATE:
RE
Office of Current Intelligence
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
60
3.5(c)
3.5(c)
TOP S RET
cpri MR-IRMA MITI
/Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2050142
Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2050142
o
3.5(c)
RITY INFORMATION
SUMMARY
FAR EAST
1. Reports of Li Mt's death denied (page 3).
SOUTHEAST ASIA
2.
NEAR EAST - AFRICA
3. Iraq planning to build up defense (page 4).
WESTERN EUROPE
4. Bidault reportedly urging delay in Belgian EDC ratification (page 4).
3.3(h)(2)
* * * *
- 2 -
3.5(c)
C
TOP SErRET
Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2050142
3.5(c)
Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2050142
siseLir 0 IVC, 1 he
RITY INFORMATION
3.5(c)
FAR EAST
1. Reports of Li Mi's death denied:
2.
Nationalist sources on Formosa deny press
reports of the death of General Li
commander of Chinese Nationalist forces
in Burma, but confirm earlier reports that
Li is seriously ill.
Comment: Li is believed to be alive. The
Nationalists may be exaggerating his illness in order to evade American
requests for cooperation in withdrawing Nationalist troops from Burma.
SOUTHEAST ASIA
3
TOP RET
3.3(h)(2)
3.3(
h)(2)
3.5(c)
Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2050142
Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2050142
sysoeur rc.r,
SECURITY INFORMATION
3.5(c)
NEAR EAST - AFRICA
3. Iraq planning to build up defense:
Baghdad will soon ask Washington and London
for assistance in assessing Iraq's part in
defending its own territory and the Western
world, according to Iraqi Foreign Minister
a uwal e sai t Iraq is planning to improve its defense as
rapidly and completely as possible because of its vulnerability to a
Soviet attack through Iran. This danger was called to the attention of
the Foreign Minister by the Turkish Charge in Baghdad during conver-
sations on establishment of a Middle East defense system.
Comment: Iraq may now be willing to accept
the military assistance offered by the United States last November
and thus join Syria and Egypt in seeking substantial American military
aid.
WESTERN EUROPE
4. ,Bidault reportedly urging delay in Belgian EDC ratification:
According to a source close to Belgian
Foreign Minister van Zeeland, French
Foreign Minister Bidault has been pressuring
Van Zeeland to delay EDC ratification. The
Informant adds that circles close to the Belgian royal household do not
wish to take any action that would annoy the French.
Comment: Van Zeeland, who is close to the
royal circle, has frequently voiced the need for early action on the
treaty, but has apparently pursued stalling tactics. The American
Embassy in Brussels estimates that, despite some opposition within
the government party, there is enough outside support for a two-
thirds favorable vote.
- 4
3.3(h)(2)
3.3(h)(2)
Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2050142
3.5(c)
Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2050142
jr 11 I.
v.ise
SECURITY INFORMATION
3.5(c)
The Belgian Government appears to fear
that in ratifying the treaty before favorable French action is assured,
It would be risking further domestic embarrassment such as it
experienced when the other EDC countries failed to follow its lead
In adopting a 24-month conscription period.
5
TO' .CRET
Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2050142
3.5(c)