CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1954/12/19

Document Type: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
03009186
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
U
Document Page Count: 
5
Document Creation Date: 
August 20, 2019
Document Release Date: 
August 30, 2019
Sequence Number: 
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
December 19, 1954
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PDF icon CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULL[15706818].pdf181.37 KB
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Copy No. CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN DOCUMENT NO. 4 NO CHANGE IN CLASS. 0 DECLASSIFIED CLASS. CHANGED TO: TS S C NEXT REVIEW DATE: "0 AUTH: HR 70-2 DATE: MAIO REVIEWER: Office of Current Intelligence CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY 7,41,iyiffeAppiroved for Release: iti; 20"1 3 C03009186 19t FD 'e/5 19 December 1954 / 3.5(c) so 3.3(h)(2) /000:349/74 Approved for Release: 2019/08/13 C03009186 AO .111. ����.� .�1 IP, ITV Approved for Release: 2019/08/13 C03009186 Nor' I �moo, SUMMARY SOUTHEAST ASIA I. Communist-controlled Indonesian labor union threatens general strike (page 3). NEAR EAST - AFRICA 2. Iraqi prime minister says he is ready to sign treaty with Turkey (page 3). WESTERN EUROPE 3. West German pocial Democrats to step up drive against Paris agreements (page 4). LATIN AMERICA 4. Comment on Chilean political situation (page 5). * * * * 19 Dec 54 CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 2 rrnn Approved for Release: 2019/08/13 C03009186 Approved for Release: 2019/08/13 C03009186 *mar Nuo SOUTHEAST ASIA 1. Communist-controlled Indonesian labor union threatens general strike: Indonesia's largest estate workers' union, the Communist-controlled SARBUPRI, is threatening a general strike after 31 De- cember as "part of total action" against oreign capital. The embassy comments that the government is in no stronger position now to resist Communist-inspired demands than it was in September 1953 when, in a similar situation, the All cabinet capitulated to SARBUPRI. Comment: The Ali cabinet has a slim parliamentary majority, without Communist support, but it never- theless relies heavily on the Communist bloc in parliament. If the government were to give in to the labor demands as in 1953, the effect would be to cripple foreign capital in Indonesia on which the country's export economy is largely based. The Communists thus are in a strong position to ex tract political concessions from the government in return for reduc- ing their labor. demands, Under these circumstances, a general strike is likely to be averted. NEAR EAST - AFRICA 2. Iraqi prime minister says he is ready to sign treaty with Turkey: Prime Minister Nun i Said of Iraq re- cently told American ambassador Gallman that he has no hesitancy about signing a defense pact with Turkey. Nun i declared that a bilateral pact with a non-Arab state could not have any ill effect on Iraq relations with other Arab states, because some of them already have such pacts. Comment: This is the strongest state- ment so far of Nuri's willingness to collaborate with the West in the defense of the Middle East. His words will be put to the test 19 Dec 54 CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 3 P-re Approved for Release: 2019/08/13 C03009186 mums, Am. .��� Wog DTI Approved for Release: 2019/08/13 C03009186 early in January when Turkish prime minister Mencleres goes to Baghdad in the hope of concluding a defense treaty with Iraq. The Iraqi foreign minister's statement in Beirut on 19 December that Iraq will not conclude any defense trea- ties, while raising some doubt about Iraq's policy, is probably only a personal statement, not a reflection of Nun 's thinking. WESTERN EUROPE 3. West German Social Democrats to step up drive against Paris agreements: grich 011enhauer, chairman of the West German Social Democratic Party (SPD), told a meeting of party executives on 12 December that the SPD will launch a strenuous propaganda campaign against Bundestag ratification of the Paris agreements, Plans have been made for mass distribution of pamphlets and posters, radio speeches and public rallies, with addresses by leading Socialists. The idea of including mass demonstrations, strikes and boycotts was advanced at the meeting, but was re- jected on the ground that such activities would not add to the pres- tige of the SPD. 011enhauer also warned his colleagues against "stupid chatter" about Socialist willingness to support legislation implementing the Paris agreements if they are rati- fied. Such talk, he said, disrupts the party's present campaign against remilita,rization. Comment: Despite the party's current public stand against the agreements, SPD leaders are said to have made it clear privately that they intend to take an active part in drawing up the necessary laws if the agreements are rati- fied by both France and West Germany. An indication of SPD pessimism as to the chances of defeating the agreements is a report that party headquarters has hired a former colonel of the German General Staff to advise Socialist Bundestag delegates on technical points of defense legislation. 19 Dec 54 CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 4 rrr% Approved for Release: 2019/08/13 C03009186 Approved for Release: 2019/08/13 C03009186 New LATIN AMERICA 4. Comment on Chilean political situation: President Ibanez of Chile is not likely to attempt to close Congress and rule as a dictator should the Senate vote to terminate the state of siege he declared on 20 September. The Chamber of Depu- ties voted on 30 November to end the state of siege, and a. similar decision, as recommended by a Senate committee, is expected when the Senate considers the question on 22 December. If the Senate votes as expected, Ibanez may renew his earlier request to Congress for extraordinary powers to combat Communism. Such a request would probably receive more favorable consideration now than when first pre- sented last September. While the Communists and other left- wing elements have been very critical of the state of siege, its termination is not likely to improve their position in the country. The Ibanez administration is well aware of the Communist threat and has shown a continued determination to contain it. The armed forces canbednended unon to suDDort any anti-Communist meas- ures. 19 Dec 54 CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 5 Approved for Release: 2019/08/13 C03009186