CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1954/10/20

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Current/Central Intelligence Bulletin Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 03000843
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: August 20, 2019
• Document Release Date: August 30, 2019
• Publication Date: October 20, 1954

7100 ed,///,',0>';9;P e d f �C: ;1;-8b1432 3 roW11171, 097
3.3(h)(2) ,0
3.5(c) 04
P
eiad4/
20 October 1954
Copy No. _
CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN
DOCUMENT NO. lair 4. �1_
NO CHANGE IN CLASS V
'I' DECLASSIFIED
CLASS. CHANGED TO: TS $ 0
NEXT REVIEW DATE' A:Mil
AUTH: HR 70-2
DATE:? 37:114 REVIEWE
Office of Current Intelligence
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
R E T
Approved for Release: 2019/08/13 C03000843
Approved for Release: 2019/08/13 C03000843
oft.
TOP CRET
SUMMARY
FAR EAST
1, Japanese prime minister faces major crisis in November (page 3).
SOUTHEAST ASIA
2.
NEAR EAST - AFRICA
Comment on signature of Suez base agreement (page 4)
Israel reported ready for second test of Suez passage (page 5).
20 Oct 54 CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 2
Mr-VD rnD 'cm
Approved for Release: 2019/08/13 C03000843
Approved for Release: 2019/08/13 C03000843
"owl i J.
FAR EAST
1. Japanese prime minister faces major crisis in November:
Japanese prime minister Yoshida will
face a major political crisis during the
extraordinary Diet session in November,
but cannot be "counted out," according
He notes that the failure of Yoshida's
conservative opponents to agree on a successor is the major ob-
stacle blocking the prime minister's immediate ouster.
Allison believes that if Yoshida is forced
out, it will not necessarily harm American interests. If Yoshida
decides to dissolve the Diet and call for an election, the ambassa-
dor thinks conservative forces would retain control of the govern-
ment despite probable Socialist Party gains.
2.
Comment: Yoshida has indicated he will
call for new elections if his opponents attempt to force him out pre-
maturely. While reported to be itiinkingof retiring, he wants to
do so at a time of his own choosing and with the privilege of nam-
ing his successor.
The financial interests whose support has
enabled Yoshida to stay in power have recently expressed dissatis-
faction with him and his Liberal Party. This might lead Yoshida
to retire voluntarily, rather than face a no-confidence motion
which would be supported by his conservative opponents.
SOUTHEAST ASIA
20 Oct 54 CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 3
TOP CRET
Approved for Release: 2019/08/13 C03000843
Approved for Release: 2019/08/13 C03000843
TOP S
NEAR EAST - AFRICA
3. Comment on signature of Suez base agreement:
The 19 October signature of the Suez
base agreement may bring the contest
between the Nasr regime and the extrem-
ist Moslem Brotherhood to a climax.
The Brotherhood openly declared its op-
position to the regime and to the terms of
the base settlement following the July
"Agreement on Principles" covering the British evacuation.
The regime has recently undertaken to
tighten its control of Brotherhood activities and can be expected
20 Oct 54 CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 4
TCIP
Approved for Release: 2019/08/13 C03000843
Approved for Release: 2019/08/13 C03000843
k...) ocrt�tc,r,
to meet any attempts at violence with force. Despite the report
of some clashes, serious disorders are not likely.
Egypt's internal political and economic
problems will probably prevent the Nasr government from enter-
ing into defense arrangements under Western auspices for some
time.
4. Israel reported ready for second test of Suez passage:
Israel has a ship ready to sail from Haifa
to test passage of the Suez Canal from the
north, according to an Egyptian Ministry
of War official concerned with Palestine
affairs.
The Egyptian government's information
indicates that this second test is imminent and that Israel is only
awaiting the "right moment."
Comment: Israel may consider that the
signing of the Anglo-Egyptian agreement, which includes Egypts
reaffirmation of the freedom of passage of the Suez Canal, creates
a favorable situation for a second Israeli ship to attempt to pass
through the canal. On 28 September Egypt seized the first Israeli
ship to attempt passage of the canal on the charge that the vessel
had fired on Egyptian fishermen.
A new attempt at this time would place
the Nasr regime in an extremely difficult position. Already faced
with considerable opposition to the agreement, the regime could
expect additional charges of "treason" from the extremist Moslem
Brotherhood if signature of the agreement were followed by the
announcement that the regime had permitted an Israeli vessel to
transit the canal.
20 Oct 54 . CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 5
TOP CRET
Approved for Release: 2019/08/13 C03000843