CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1955/11/15

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Current/Central Intelligence Bulletin Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 02996966
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 11
• Document Creation Date: September 20, 2019
• Document Release Date: September 26, 2019
• Publication Date: November 15, 1955

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15 November 1955 3. A
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CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN
NO CHANGE IN CLASS. 17
L I ECLASSIFIED
CLASS. CHANGED TO: IS S C
NEXT REVIEW DATE: 2 0 / 0
DOCUMENT NO. 2
AUTH: HR 7,44.71,
DATE: REVIEWER: _
A,z)
Office of Current Intelligence
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
TOP SECRET
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CONTENTS
1. ARGENTINE GOVERNMENT STILL UNSETTLED BY
GOVERNMENT CHANGES (page 3).
2.
(page 4).
3. USSR REPORTEDLY OFFERS TO TAKE OVER AMERICAN
DEVELOPMENT PROJECT IN AFGHANISTAN (page 5).
4. PRAVDA REPORTS IMPLEMENTATION OF SOVIET
ARMED FORCE REDUCTION (page 6)
5. INDIA AGAIN SEEKING TO BRING ABOUT ALL-VIETNAM
ELECTIONS (page 7).
6, SAUDIS SAY JORDAN CAN OBTAIN ARMS FROM USSR
(page 8).
15 Nov 55
THE ARAB-ISRAELI SITUATION
(page 9)
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 2
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o ARGENTINE GOVERNMENT STILL UNSETTLED BY
GOVERNMENT CHANGES
Uneasiness on the part of the new
rgentine government is reflected
n internal press censorship and in
communiques reminding the public
that a state of siege is still in force.
Other unsettling factors in the situa-
tion include the sharp price increase
in some items of daily consumption
caused by the Lonardi government's
attempts at economic reform
Provisional president General Aramburu,
who took office on 14 November, has es-
tablished a revolutionary junta, composed of the ministers
of army, navy, and air, which will countersign all decree
laws. He has apparently made little progress, however,
in installing new cabinet members.
In the absence of additional cabinet
appointments or new statements by the Aramburu government,
there is little indication of how its policy will differ from
Lonardi's. Aramburu told the nation bn 13 November that
he would carry on the democratic program of the Lonardi
government, but beyond mentioning the dismissal of right-
wing leaders did not outline any definite plan.
Ex-president Lonardi's declaration that
he did not resign voluntarily has caused his supporters to re-
gard his ouster as "treason" and they are said to have vowed
revenge.
15 Nov 55
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 3
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3. USSR REPORiEDLY OFFERS TO TAKE OVER AMERICAN
DEVELOPMENT PROJECT IN AFGHANISTAN
Comment
The Soviet Union has offered to complete
the American-financed and constructed
Helmand Valley power and irrigation
project, according to the Afghan ex-presi-
dent of the Helmand Valley authority,
The USSR indicated willingness to under-
take full responsibility for operating the
project, and pay off the American loan.
This is the first report of a Soviet over-
ture aimed at replacing Americans in
the Helmand project. Afghan officials have been increas-
ingly critical of the expensive, long-term aspects of the
program and have appeared satisfied with several much
smaller, short-term Soviet projects.
In defiance of the West's support of
Pakistan, Afghanistan may undertake a campaign of harass-
ment against the American company and American nationals,
but the government is unlikely to turn over to the USSR the
whole Helmand Valley project.
1.5 Nov 55
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 5
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4. PRAVDA REPORTS IMPLEMENTATION OF SOVIET
ARMED FORCE REDUCTION
A Pravda article of 12 November an-
nounces that along with the reduction
of Soviet forces by 640,000, the terms
ox service tor sailors and petty officers of the Soviet navy
and for soldiers and sergeants of the air force and coast
defense forces will be cut by one year.
The article adds that the discharge of
servicernen from the Soviet army and navy is proceeding,
systematically, and that by the promised_deadline of 15
December all of the 640,000 men will have been discharged.
Comment Following closely upon similar Bulgarian
and Rumanian statements, this statement
suggests that reduction of terms of service may be one of the
methods used to reduce Soviet bloc forces in accordance with
the summer announcements to that effect. The USSR military
service law of 1939 calls for service of three years in the air
forces, four in the coast defense forces, and five in the navy.
The Rumanian and Bulgarian announce-
ments called for reduction in terms of service for army
soldiers and sergeants.
15 Nov 55
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 6
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5. INDIA AGAIN SEEKING TO BRING ABOUT ALL-VIETNAM
ELECTIONS
Chairman-designate Parthasarathi of
the International Control Commission
for Vietnam indicated to the American
consul general in Madras on 10 Novem-
ber that India is about to make another strong effort to per-
suade Premier Diem to talk with Ho Chi Minh about all-Viet-
namese elections. He admitted that the Viet Minh would
probably win such elections, but expressed the belief that
it was better to gamble on Ho's "essential nationalism"
than to risk renewal of war. He stated that India would
have no alternative but to recommend the liquidation of the
ICC during the next two or three months if Diem refused to
negotiate.
Parthasarathi went on to say that his
country's "greatest dream" was to erect a neutral barrier
against Communism throughout Southeast Asia by promot-
ing an "eastern Locarno." He indicated that this would in-
volve the dissolution of the Manila pact and a guarantee of
the neutrality and integrity of Southeast Asian countries by
the United States, Britain, France, Communist China "and
possibly India."
Comment
Parathasarathi reportedly is close to
Nehru and presumably reflects the
latter's views.
There are no prospects that Diem will
enter into serious negotiations with the Viet Minh, and Parth-
asarathi's record as ICC chairman in Cambodia strongly sug-
gests that his personal relations with Diem will be strained.
India�anxious to avoid any increase in tensions in Vietnam�
can probably be persuaded by Britain and the United States to
maintain the status quo for the time being.
15 Nov 55
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 7
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6. SAUDIS SAY JORDAN CAN OBTAIN ARMS FROM USSR
Jordan has been informed by Saudi
Arabia that it has a Soviet blank check
for arms which can be extended to
Jordan, providing that it refuses to
adhere to the Baghdad pact
Comment
In August the USSR reportedly offered
arms to Saudi Arabia unconditionally
and in any quantity.
Jordan, whose army is subsidized by
Britain, would be unable to pay for Soviet arms without
financial assistance, which probably would be forthcom-
ing from Saudi Arabia,
King Hussein has indicated his willingness
to adhere to the Baghdad pact if Jordan receives a "package"
to sell the public. London may be willing to grant the Jor-
danian "package," thought to be an infantry division and an
armored brigade, in order to keep Soviet influence out of
an area in which Britain has expended much money and
ethart.
15 Nov 55
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 8
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THE ARAB-ISRAELI SITUATION
(Information as of 1700, 14 November)
along tile Israel-Jordan
border are causing some concern to Jordan's Arab Legion.
The Legion appears to be doing its best to prevent incidents.
It is worried, however, by its inability to stop them com-
pletely and by Israel's statement that Tel Aviv will not toler-
ate repeated attacks by terrorists coming from Jordan.
Other incidents, including firing by an
Egyptian shore battery on an Israeli coast guard vessel, ap-
pear to conform to the normal pattern of events in the area.
Israel has established checkposts on its hivhways in an effort
to counter Arab terrorist activity.
An Israeli spokesman has assured UN
truce chief General Burns of Israel's co-operation if Egypt
agrees to Burns' proposals for easing the situation around
the El Auja demilitarized zone. Israel also seems eager to
resume border talks with Egypt, but the American embassy
In Tel Aviv fears this enthusiasm will evaporate once Israel
learns the details of Egypt's proposals to Burns. Consider-
able haggling, as in the past, thus seems to be in prospect.
The American military attach�n Cairo
considers there is greater than normal activity in the Egyp-
tian army, with fewer soldiers seen in the streets or near
military barracks. He feels it possible that this activity is
caused by the arrival of Czech arms which are being offloaded
at night. The attach�lso reports a bellicose attitude on the
part of Egyptian officers, who still are resentful of recent Israel
attacks.
Jordan has rejected a Syrian proposal for a
bilateral military pact, a joint command�excluding the British-
commanded Arab Legion--and a corridor through which the
Egyptian forces could receive supplies and support from Syria
in the event of an Israeli attack.
15 Nov 55 Current Intelligence Bulletin
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An announcement on 14 November from
Cairo would appear to be in line with this Soviet attitude. Ac-
cording to the semiofficial Cairo radio, Marshal Voroshilov
has sent a personal message to King Saud relating to the
original Soviet offer last August of arms aid to Saudi Arabia.
The radio also reports that a Saudi military mission will visit
Prague to inspect arms factories and to discuss the possibility
of concluding an arms deal similar to that between Egypt and
Czechoslovakia.
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Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 10
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