CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1956/04/03
Document Type:
Collection:
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST):
02989475
Release Decision:
RIPPUB
Original Classification:
U
Document Page Count:
9
Document Creation Date:
October 25, 2019
Document Release Date:
October 31, 2019
Sequence Number:
Case Number:
Publication Date:
April 3, 1956
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CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULL[15740191].pdf | 247.14 KB |
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NOT RELEASABLE TO
FOREIGN NATIONALS
CONTINUED CONTROL
CURRENT
INTELLIGENCE
BULLETIN
--773P-SEef?E-T--
0O2989475
3 pril 19 3.5(c)
3.3(h)(2)
SC No, 01267/56
Copy No. 103
DOCUMENT NO.
NO CHANGE IN GLASS. litsf
; DECLASSIFIED
CLASS. CHANGLD TO: TS
NEXT P.EVIEW DA FEL: _
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Liio nee/ _ ,1-1`/IEWER:
OFFICE OF CURRENT INTELLIGENCE
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
This document contains information affecting the national
defense of the United States within the meaning of the espio-
nage laws, U. S. Code title 18, Sections 793, 794,and 798,
the transmission or the revelation of the contents of which
in any manner to an unauthorized person is prohibited by law.
THIS DOCUMENT MUST BE KEPT IN COMMUNICATIONS
INTELLIGENCE CHANNELS AT ALL TIMES
It is to be seen only by U. S. personnel especially indoctrinated
and authorized to receive COMMUNICATIONS INTELLIGENCE
information. The security of this document must be main-
tained in accordance with COMMUNICATIONS INTELLIGENCE
REGULATIONS.
No action is to betaken on any COMMUNICATIONS INTELLIGENCE
which may be contained herein, regardless of the advantage to be
gained, unless such action is first approved by the Director of Central
Intelligence.
TOPS
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Aft
Comments and interpretations in this publication are
based on all sources, including COMINT, and repre-
sent the immediate views of the Office of Current In-
telligence. The classification of a comment is noted
separately only when it is higher than that of the re-
port commented on.
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11 1
CONTENTS
� 1. TURKE REBUFFS LATEST SOVIET ECONOMIC AID
OFFE (page 3).
2. MIKOYAN REACHES NEW TRADE AGREEMENTS WITH
BURMESE age 4).
3. SOVIET-AFGHAN CIVIL AIR AGREEMENT
(page 5).
4. LAOTIAN PREMIER PLANS NEW APPROACH TO
PATHET LAO page 6).
5. PEIPING MINISTER OF FOREIGN TRADE VISITING SUDAN
:page 7).
3 Apr 56
THE ARAB-ISRAELI SITUATION
(page 8)
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 2
SE
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1. TURKEY REBUFFS LATEST SOVIET ECONOMIC
AID OFFER
Comment on:
Turkish prime minister Menderes
reportedly rejected Soviet first
deputy premier Mikoyan's offer of
unconditional economic assistance
in Pakistan in late March, on the
grounds that a Turkish-Soviet rapprochement depended
on an over-all improvement in East-West relations. None-
theless, Turkish officials are alarmed at the persistent
Soviet overtures accompanied by "brilliant" propaganda,
which they fear will influence Turkish public opinion de-
spite Turkey's historical animosity toward Russia.
Ankara is aware of the danger of ac-
cepting Soviet economic aid. However, relaxation of East-
West tensions, persistent Soviet propaganda, and continu-
ing economic deterioration in Turkey will increase Turkish
susceptibility to unconditional Soviet offers of economic
assistance. A Turkish Foreign Ministry official told the
US embassy in mid-March that Turkey feels it necessary
to consider relaxing its attitude on cultural exchanges with
the USSR.
3 Apr 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 3
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af.ilL4JR.Ei/
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2. MIKOYAN REACHES NEW TRADE AGREEMENTS
WITH BURMESE
Comment on:
The USSR's latest move toward making
Burma the "showcase" in its "competi-
tive coexistence" campaign in Southeast
Asia was made on 1 April by Mikoyan
and his delegation of trade specialists
in Rangoon. A new trade agreement of that date extends
the three-year agreement of 1 July 1955 to a total of five
years. The existing rice protocol was extended to four
years and provides for the export of 400,000 tons of rice
annually to the USSR--double the amount under the earlier
agreement.
The USSR thus will become Burma's
largest customer. The Soviet Union is to ship "equipment,
machinery, and other goods" to Burma in exchange for the
rice. The Sino-Soviet bloc has now contracted for at least
a third of Burma's rice exports this year.
According to press reports, Mikoyan
also agreed to build a hospital and a theater, and to build
and equip a cultural and sports center which will include a
stadium, exhibition facilities, a conference hall and a hotel.
These "show projects," which like the proposed technical
institute are gifts to Burma, will have a maximum propa-
ganda effect. Concurred in by ORR)
3 Apr 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 4
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,
411114tAil
3. SOVIET-AFGHAN CIVIL AIR AGREEMENT
Comment on:
Moscow's interest in inaugurating
a Soviet air traffic route through
the USSR from Europe to South and
Southeast Asia was furthered by the
signing o e g an-Soviet air agreement on 24 March.
The agreement apparently will give the USSR landing
rights at three Afghan airfields by July of 1956. Although
in return the Afghans were granted landing privileges at
four Soviet cities including Moscow, the USSR probably
calculates that Kabul would be incapable of organizing an
adequate air service without foreign assistance and would
either ask for Soviet help or relinquish its rights.
According to the American embassy in
Kabul, the fare from Germany to Kabul on the new line is
to be as low as $170, compared to the $680 first class and
$470 tourist class Berlin-Kabul fare presently quoted by
Western lines. With comparable low fares from Europe to
points in Southeast Asia, the USSR would offer "cut-throat
competition" to Western air lines operating between such
points. Kabul would presumably be a major terminal on
the main air route to the subcontinent. (Prepared by ORR)
3 Apr 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 5
ell7V1ITITATTT Al.
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JEiIEi 1-----
4. LAOTIAN PREMIER PLANS NEW APPROACH TO
PATHET LAO
Premier Souvanna Phouma has sent
an envoy to ask his brother, Prince
Petsarath, to return from his volun-
tary exile in Thailand and has decided
to enlist Petsarath's influence to persuade the Pathet Lao
to surrender, according to the American embassy in
Vientiane. Souvanna Phouma admitted that a few hundred
Pathets might not respond but contended the vast majority
would and that the movement would simply dissolve. If
Viet Minh elements remained in the two northern provinces,
they could be dealt with decisively thereafter by either diplo-
matic or military means.
The premier regards Petsarath as a
staunch nationalist who could be relied on not to offer the
Pathets dangerous concessions.
Comment Petsarath in Thailand has constituted
a focal point of intrigue and conspiracy
against the Laotian royal family and government for sev-
eral years, and has been accused of consorting with the
Pathet Lao.
A previous attempt, in 1954, by Souvanna
Phouma to persuade Petsarath to return to Laos apparently
foundered on the latter's insistence on forming a coalition
government including the Pathet Lao, Should Petsarath agree
to return, the Pathet Lao would probably seize the opportunity
of any resultant negotiations to press their campaign for par-
ticipation in the government.
3 Apr 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 6
-SECRET-
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410
5. PEIPING'S MINISTER OF FOREIGN TRADE VISITING SUDAN
Communist China's minister of foreign
trade and three members of his dele-
gation were to leave Cairo for Khartoum
on 1 April,
The visit is possibly related to Chinese interest in
Sudanese cotton.
Cairo press reports state that the question
of establishing a permanent Chinese Communist trade office
in Khartoum also will be discussed.
Comment
believed Sudanese prime minister Azhari "seriously desired"
to establish diplomatic relations with Communist China. Fol-
lowing Egypt's lead, the Sudanese might agree to the estab-
lishment of a permanent Chinese Communist trade office in
Khartoum, which would increase Peiping's chances for eventual
recognition.
Nationalist China is currently negotiating
for diplomatic relations with the Sudan and has recently sent
a six-man trade mission to visit Near Eastern countries in
the hope of countering Peiping's efforts in the area.
3 Apr 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 7
.SECR FT
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0.ra
THE ARAB-ISRAELI SITUATION
(Information as of 1700, 2 April)
The Greek government has formally
granted Israel landing rights for the transit of 12 French
Mystere jet aircraft, according to the Israeli Foreign
Ministry.
3 Apr 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Pftge 8
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