CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1956/01/10

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Current/Central Intelligence Bulletin Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 03020480
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: October 25, 2019
• Document Release Date: October 31, 2019
• Publication Date: January 10, 1956

Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03020480
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TOP SECRET fier
CURRENT
INTELLIGENCE
BULLETIN
10 January 1956
3.5(c)
Copy No. 103
DOCUMENT NO. 47 lisr7
NO CHANGE IN CLASS.
Cl DECLASSIFIED
CLASS. CHANGED TO: IS S C
NEXT REVIEW DATE- 4otri
AUTH: HR
DATE: ��`IREVIEWER.
OFFICE OF CURRENT INTELLIGENCE
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
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CONTENTS
1. SOVIET JET HEAVY BOMBER SPECIALLY PREPARED
FOR HIGH-YIELD NUCLEAR WEAPON DELIVERY OR
OTHER TEST ACTIVITIES (page 3).
2. NEW JORDANIAN CABINET
10 Jan 56
(page 4).
* * * *
THE ARAB-ISRAELI SITUATION
(page 5)
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 2
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ALA A
1, SOVIET JET HEAVY BOMBER SPECIALLY PREPARED
FOR HIGH-YIELD NUCLEAR WEAPON DELIVERY OR
OTHER TEST ACTIVITIES
Comment
This is the first report of a Soviet
aircraft with its underside painted
white. The US has successfully used white paint to re-
duce to safe limits the effects of thermal radiation on the
surfaces of aircraft associated with the delivery of high-
yield weapons.
On 2 November heavy bombers were
sighted on the airfield at Ramenskoye, a flight test center
of the Ministry of Aviation Industry. On 16 November a
high-performance aircraft was scheduled from this field
to Semipalatinsk, where tests of air-dropped, large-yield
nuclear weapons were in progress. The coincidence be-
tween the first sighting of a white-painted aircraft and the
first Soviet air drops of high-yield weapons suggests that
the aircraft apparently landing at Ramenskoye, southeast
of Moscow, may have been used in weapon drops or in
other activities connected with the recent Soviet nuclear
weapons tests. The sighting in any case indicates that at
least one BISON has been specially prepared for deliver-
ing or participating in tests of high-yield nuclear weapons.
(Prepared jointly by OCI and OS!)
10 Jan 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 3
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2. NEW JORDANIAN CABINET
The composition of the new Jordanian
cabinet appointed on 8 January makes
Jordanian adherence to the Baghdad
pact even more unlikely. Prime Min-
ister Samir al-Rifai has publicly stated that Jordan will
not adhere to the pact, and the new foreign minister,
Hussain al-Khalidi, is an anti-British nationalist and re-
portedly has favored Jordan's alliance with the Egyptian-
Syrian-Saudi Arabian axis.
While the make-up of the new cabinet
should appease the antipact elements who sparked the rioting,
other associated elements, including the Communists, may
seek to continue demonstrations with a view to obtaining a
renewal of the promise of new elections.
The American embassy in Amman be-
lieves that a test is approaching as to whether moderate
politicians and the Arab Legion can control the country or
whether extremists will take over. The embassy believes
that the extremists will not succeed in the near future, but
that disorders will continue. Local British officials, how-
ever, are alarmed to the extent that they are considering
evacuation to the British-controlled air base outside Amman.
An important factor in the immediate fu-
ture will be the attitude of Saudi Arabia. A number of the new
cabinet members, including the prime minister, have enjoyed
close relations and financial aid from the Saudis. Having ob-
tained a government opposed to the Baghdad pact, Saudi Arabia
may now throw the weight of its influence on the side of sta-
bility.
10 Jan 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 4
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Noe 4111
10 Jan 56
THE ARAB-ISRAELI SITUATION
(Information as of 1700, 9 January)
Nothing of significance to report.
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 5
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