CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1953/06/20

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Current/Central Intelligence Bulletin Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 02882185
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 9
• Document Creation Date: July 15, 2019
• Document Release Date: July 22, 2019
• Publication Date: June 20, 1953

. rp:/1717Med f.LrZeil3as oRmA
SE 'KETT 11707,:1117:S7 �
F2019/061/26 CO2882185,
3.5(c)
I II
4/1
3.5(c)
20 June 1953
Copy No. 67
CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN
DOCUMENT NO. -
NO CHANGE IN CLASS. y
AL:.3. CHANGED TO: TS Sttco 0
f011,=:V1 DATE:
FirVIEWER
Office of Current Intelligence
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
TOPS ET
SECU INFORMATION
Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2882185
Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2882185
No4,1 ur AL 1
S � URITY INFORMATION
3.5(c)
SUMMARY
FAR EAST
\01( Chinese Nationalist leaders congratulate Rhee (page 3).
SOUTHEAST ASIA
Viet Minh reportedly planning attack on Tonkin delta (page 3).
Negotiations progress for evacuating Chinese Nationalists trom
ve(Burma (page 4).
o* Comment on demonstrations in Iran (page 5).
%Ace Comment on the proclamation of a republic in Egypt (page 5).
or Libyan prime minister plans to take firm line with king (page 6).
EASTERN EUROPE
8. Czechoslovakia's position at International Sugar Conference
outlined (page 7).
9. Yugoslav attitude toward US reportedly "cooling" (page 7).
WESTERN EUROPE
10. Austrian government to propose that USSR relinquish German
assets (page 8).
- 2 -
TOpE
3.3(h)(2)
3.5(c)
3.5(c)
Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2882185
Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2882185
Nue 1. Ur Ikr, 1
RITY INFORMATION
3.5(c)
FAR EAST
1. Chinese Nationalist leaders congratulate Rhee:
Comment: Nationalist leaders have
generally supported Rhee in his opposition to a Korean truce, and
the Nationalist press has been unanimous in applauding the release
of the Korean prisoners. The Nationalist leadership believes that
its hope of recovering the mainland depends on expanded hostilities
In the Far East.
SOUTHEAST ASIA
2, Viet Minh reportedly planning attack on Tonkin delta:
The Viet Minh is preparing to employ three
divisions in an attack on the northern por-
tion of the Tonkin delta
3
.3(h)(2)
3.3(h)(2)
One division, the 316th, is actually moving toward Dong Trieu,
a point inside the northern perimeter which is to be the first enemy ob-
jective. In addition, quantities of materiel have been moving southward
from a border supply point.
- 3 -
TOP SECRET
3.3(h)(2)
3.5(c)
Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2882185
Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2882185
'jr Jrii 1 I
URITY INFORMATION
3.5(c)
3.3(h)(2)
Recent deployment of French-Vietnamese
forces has improved delta defenses. They would, however, be
severely strained by a three-division attack.
3.
3.3(h) (I
4. Negotiations progress for evacuating Chinese Nationalists from Burma:
Ambassador Stanton in Bangkok reports that , 3.3(h)(2)
the only issue on which Chinese and Burmese
representatives negotiating the evacuation of
Nationalist troops from Burma have not agreed
is the disposal of 200 to 300 overseas Chinese whom the Burmese are
holding on charges of collaborating with Li Mi's forces. The Chinese
2)
- 4 -
T (D) S RT
3.5(c)
Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2882185
'Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2882185
Noe SEC1JITY INFORMA ioN
3.5(c)
representative has requested that these people be released and allowed
to remain in Burma, whereas the Burmese are insisting that they be
repatriated to Formosa. A compromise proposed by Thailand is pres-
ently under consideration.
Comment: It is probable that an agreement
will soon be reached in Bangkok. The committee will then be faced
with the problem of proceeding to the Nationalist headquarters at Mong
Hsat to determine the extent to which the agreement can be implemented.
NEAR EAST - AFRICA
5. Comment on demonstrations in Iran:
Prime Minister Mossadeq again attempted to
rally support for his government and to browbeat a recalcitrant Majlis
by sponsoring a mass demonstration in Tehran on 19 June. The crowd,
however, was considerably smaller than in similar pro-Mossadeq demon-
strations in the past. Communist attempts to give the demonstrations
an anti-American and anti-shah direction reportedly were blocked by
Mossadeq's supporters.
Mullah Kashani and other members of the
opposition have denounced the government's tactics and accused it of
trying to rule by "terror and riot." Kashani, challenging the govern-
ment to prove its control of the Majlis, charged that the purpose of
the government-inspired demonstration was to victimize those deputies
who were opposed to an unpopular government.
Kashani's willingness to make a public attack
on the government and Mossadeq's apparent need to seek popular sup-
port suggest that the government is not firmly in control of the situa-
tion. Despite its weakened condition, it is not again ready to run the
risk of accepting overt Communist support.
6. Comment on the proclamation Of a republic in Egypt:
The proclamation of a republic and the
assumption by General Nagib of the presidency in addition to the
premiership in no way alter the basic political situation in Egypt.
- 5 -
3.5(c)
Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2882185
Nuire
SECUR INFORMATION
Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2882185
.C.,1
3.5(c)
The promotion of three young and inexperienced officers of the
Revolutionary Command Council to important cabinet posts repre-
sents another step in the steady consolidation of authority by the
military regime and can be expected to result in a further decline
in administrative efficiency.
The arbitrary abolition of the monarchy
and appointment of the president without reference to the previously
announced plebiscite are susceptible to attack by opposition elements
which have emphasized the extra-constitutional character of the mili-
tary regime.
An ominous aspect of the new development
is the even stronger position now held by Colonel Nasr and his imme-
diate supporters. Nasr, who has on occasion been reported in conflict
with Nagib, is considered the leader of the less moderate faction within
the council and the real power behind the army group. He has become
vice premier and minister of interior. Two of his supporters now head
the ministries of National Guidance and War; and his close associate,
33-year-old Major Hakim Amir, has been appointed commander in
chief of the Egyptian armed forces. The army, police and propaganda
are thus directly under the control of the Nasr faction.
7. Libyan prime minister plans to take firm line with king:
Libyan prime minister Muntasser intends to
take a firm line with King Idriss on the ques-
tion of the latter's interference in political
affairs. Muntasser told the British Foreign
Office, before leaving London, that he expects, with the cabinet's
backing, to send Idriss a strong representation against royal meddling.
In subsequent discussion with the king, the
prime minister will stress that continued interference in the government
will result in the disintegration of the federal state of Libya and the
abolition of the throne.
Comment: Prime Minister Muntasser, now
en route to Tripoli, has the respect and confidence of the Western
powers. He is returning home because the king has arbitrarily removed
important local officials.
- 6 -
TOP S
3.3(h)(2)
3.5(c)
Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2882185
Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2882185
kJE OE. 1�..C., 1 I
"4mre
SE ITY INFORMATION
3.5(c)
Idriss, who has consistently revealed
extreme sectionalism and stubbornness, may not be inclined to
submit to an ultimatum.
EASTERN EUROPE
8. Czechoslovakia's position at International Sugar Conference outlined:
3.3(
Comment: in 3.3(h)(2)
the case of the sugar conference the mmediate and primary aim of
Czech participation will be propaganda support for Moscow's political
objective of weakening Western solidarity rather than implementing
the apparent new policy of increasing East-West trade.
9. Yugoslav attitude toward US reportedly "cooling":
According to a report from the French ambas-
sador in Belgrade, Yugoslavia's attitude toward
the United States has recently "cooled" because
of the long delay of the United States in desig-
nating an ambassador, the reduction in American aid and slowness of
economic and military deliveries, the failure of the United States to
respond to feelers put out by Tito for an invitation to Washington, and
the rise of "McCarthyism" in the United States.
7
TOP SERET
h)(2)
3.3(h)(2)
3.5(c)
Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2882185
Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2882185
1'J[ 0.L.
Ner"
SECJ1TY INFORMATION
3.5(c)
The report, which was described to the US
embassy by the French Foreign Ministry, interpreted Tito's 14 June
speech as indicating some coolness toward NATO, a friendlier atti-
tude toward Yugoslavia's Satellite neighbors, and a "shifting from
deep hostility in the direction of willingness to bargain" with the USSR.
The French ambassador concluded that Tito might be embarking upon
a "new phase of seeking to play East against West."
Comment: Although it is possible that
Yugoslavia intends to turn recent overtures by the USSR to its
advantage in playing East against West, every indication thus far
suggests that the government has been embarrassed by these develop-
ments and is taking pains to impres upon the West its continued re-
liability, sincerity and willingness to cooperate.
WESTERN EUROPE
10. Austrian government to propose that USSR relinquish German assets:
Foreign Minister Grub.er has informed the
Western high commissioners that the Austrian
government intends to ask the Soviet Union to
relinquish, on the same basis as the Western
powers, its control over former German assets in Austria. If the
Soviet Union insists on compensation, the government will offer moder-
ate quantities of manufactured items.
The government does not anticipate Soviet
acceptance of its proposal. It does, however, expect a favorable
propaganda effect and intends to time its proposal to coincide with
the arrival of the new Soviet ambassador, Ilichev.
Comment In a major foreign policy speech
on 18 June, Chancellor Raab suggested that all occupation troops be
removed from Austria.
These developments suggest that the Austrian
government may be attempting to obtain a de facto end to the occupation
before the signing of an Austrian peace treaty, a policy consistently
opposed by the United States.
- 8 -
TOI>SECT
3.3(h)(2)
3.5(c)
Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2882185
Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2882185
kir cLvu i.
SECUR2rY INFORMA i ION
3.5(c)
Soviet-held former German assets include
approximately 300 manufacturing plants and oil wells now producing
over 3,000,000 tons annually.
TOP
9
RET
3.5(c)
Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2882185