CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1953/05/16

Document Type: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
02901111
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
U
Document Page Count: 
8
Document Creation Date: 
July 15, 2019
Document Release Date: 
July 22, 2019
Sequence Number: 
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
May 16, 1953
File: 
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PDF icon CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULL[15671766].pdf219.28 KB
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-Approved for Release: 2019/0626 CO29011110- TOP S 1?ET SECU INFORMATION 16 May 1953 Copy No. CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN DOCUMENT NO NO CHANGE IN CLASS. Ci L11,NGED TO: TS DATr. 2C)1 AUTi Hc110-Zs4 n IEVIEVIER: Office of Current Intelligence CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY z TOP SECRET SECURI NFORMATION Co 3.5(c) 3.5(c) f ey" 3.5(c) f Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2901111 Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2901111 *soil UV SE E. 1 SE ITY INFORMATION 3.5(c) SUMMARY FAR EAST Rhee persists in desire for security treaty with United States (page 3). 2. Yoshida likely to head next Japanese government (page 3). 3.3(h)(2) SOUTHEAST ASIA .,.'Laos dissatisfied with Thai security measures on border (page 4). 45?" Native troops in Indochina mutiny against French (page 5). 6. 7. 8. 9. NEAR EAST - AFRICA Iran takes special precautions to protect Point W personnel (7age 5). 3.3(h)(2) zgypt reportecuy to empLoy more uerman mixers (page b). EASTERN EUROPE WESTERN EUROPE 10. Adenauer reportedly disapproves of Churchill proposals (page 7). 2 TOP ET 3.3(h)(2) 3.5(c) 3.5(c) Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2901111 ,Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2901111 'I. Noe SECUIINFORMATION 3.5(c) FAR EAST 1. Rhee persists in desire for security treaty with United States: Ambassador Briggs and Adviser Murphy report that South Korean support for an armistice is doubtful unless the United States agrees to a security pact with the Rhee government. Murphy states that President Rhee is becom- ing more reconciled to a truce based on the UN 7 May counterproposals, but that he will continue to create diffi- culties for American policy unless he secures some "satisfactory" security arrangement. Comment: The difficulties inherent in any security arrangement are complicated by the emotional attitudes of government leaders on the Korean unification issue. For example, Foreign Minister Pyun said on 14 May, as Rhee had earlier, that South Korea would "rely on its own forces" to push into North Korea rather than await the outcome of postarmistice negotiations on unifi- cation. Yoshida likely to head next Japanese government: American officials in Tokyo believe that the re-election of Shigeru Yoshida as prime minister early next week is virtually assured. Yoshida probably will be forced to form a single-party minority cabinet because of opposition to a coalition within the Liberal and Progressive parties. Financial interests are exerting pressure on the Progressives to support Yoshida's Liberals in an effort to stabilize the government. There are also reports that some 30 Progressives may back Yoshida, which would make it possible for the Liberal Party to gain a working majority. - 3 - TOP S ET 3.3(h)(2) 3.3(h)(2) 3.5(c) Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2901111 Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2901111 ur SECUZITY INFORMA iloN Comment: The mechanics of the vote and Yoshida% strength apparently iFsTire him of being one of the candidates and the likely winner in the decisive second ballot which is a run-off between the two highest candidates on the first ballot. 3. SOUTHEAST ASIA 4. Laos dissatisfied with Thai security measures on border: The American charge in Vientiane reports that the Laotian government is dissatisfied with Thailand's efforts to neutralize the pro- Viet Minh Vietnamese along the border. The government complains that no control has been exercised over the Vietnamese' most dangerous leaders, who are now crossing the Mekong River into Laos. The charge comments that an early solution to this problem is necessary since a renewal of a major Wet Minh campaign against Laos in the fall appears to be "almost certain." 4 1 E RT Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2901111 Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2901111 lir or, rx.r, %le SEC11UTY INFORMATION 3.5(c) Comment: The American embassy in Bangkok had already reported that Thai efforts to control the Viet- namese have been cautious in order to avoid unnecessary incidents. It is highly unlikely, in any event, that Thailand will ever be able to seal the border completely. 5. Native troops in Indochina mutiny against French: Two companies of troops of the Muong ethnic minority at a garrison in the Tonkin delta mutinied on 11 May and deserted to the Viet Minh, according to Governor Tri of North Vietnam. This episode climaxes long-standing dissatisfaction at the treatment accorded the Muong by their French superiors. Governor Tri further stated that about three months ago an entire Muong bat- talion had mutinied, but that the episode was hushed up. Comment: Only one incident of mutiny has been admitted by the French in the past. NEAR EAST - AFRICA Iran takes special precautions to protect Point IV personnel: 3.3(h)(2) Comment: Prime Minister Mossadeq, when informed of the 16 April attack against the Point IV offices in Shiraz, assured Ambassador Henderson that he was again ordering all provinces to give maximum protection to Americans, and that he personally assumed responsibility for their safety. He pleaded for continuance of Point IV in Shiraz. - 5 - TOP SECRET 3.5(c) Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2901111 Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2901111 SECJJ1TY INFORMATION 3.5(c) 8. Egypt reportedly to employ more German officers: Colonel Otto Skorzeny, a notorious Nazi adventurer, has been secretly commissioned by General Nagib to establish an air academy in Egypt, Comment: Although this information is unconfirmed, deteriorating Anglo-Egyptian relations and the possibility of guerrilla warfare increase the opportunities for former German offi- cers of Skorzeny's type to find employment in Egypt. Reports indicate that certain former Nazis have recently been employed by the Egyptian government. Skorzeny, who has wide contacts with former SS officers, has been trying to sell his services for several years. He was in Cairo in January, allegedly on "personal business," It has pre- viously been reported that he had offered to recruit former German officers for service in Egypt. - 6 � T Co IE "CT 3. 3(h)(2) 3.3(h)(2) 3.3(h)(2) 3.5(c) Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2901111 Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2901111 I 'jr 1 I Nue SECUITY INFORMATION 3.5(c) WESTERN EUROPE 10. Adenauer reportedly disapproves of Churchill proposals: 3.3(h)(2) Chancellor 3.3(h)(2) Adenauer informed French foreign minister Bidault on 13 May of his objections to Unurchill's recent speech in the House of Commons, and maintained that there should be no Allied-Russian negotiations until the EDC becomes operative. The chancellor was particularly upset by Churchill's references to a possible "eastern Locarno" formula for easing East-West tensions in Europe. 113idault unsuccessfully 3.3(h)(2) attempted to urge Adenauer to support a bid for talks with Moscow, with disarmament as the first agenda item. � - - TOP SECRET 3.5(c) Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2901111 Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2901111 I �...J1 0 1\1, I Nave RITY INFORMATION 3.5(c) Comment: Despite his basic opposition to four-power talks at this time, Aaenauer may now publicly adopt a more positive attitude to improve his position on German unity prior to the September national elections. Biclault's proposal, first put forward on 25 April, has already been rejected by American and British officials. He may, however, insist on sending formal notes to the Allies request- ing that such an approach be made to the Soviet Union. 8 - TOP S ET 3.5(c) Approved for Release: 2019/06/26 CO2901111