CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1957/10/31

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Current/Central Intelligence Bulletin Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 03155156
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 11
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2019
• Document Release Date: December 20, 2019
• Publication Date: October 31, 1957

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31 October 1957
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_REVVEWER:
OFFICE OF CURRENT INTELLIGENCE
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
TOP SECRET
Approved for Release: 2019/12/10 C03155156
Approved for Release: 2019/12/10 C03155156
inks
Approved for Release: 2019/12/10 C03155156
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0111)P1.1SOVIET NUCLEAR-POWERED AIRCRAFT
CONTENTS
(page 3).
2. KHRUSHCHEV DENOUNCES ZHUKOV PERSONALITY CULT
(page 4).
3. SITUATION REPORT ON THE SOUTH KOREAN ARMY
(page 5).
O 154. INDONESIAN GOVERNMENT PLANNING PROLONGED CAM-
PAIGN OVER NETHERLANDS NEW GUINEA
(page 6).
015 5.-iSRAEL 'TO COMPLETE DRAI7GE OF LAKE HULA ON
31 OCTOBER (page. 7).
D4 6. FRENCH POLITICAL CRISIS
(page 9).
0,617. BOLIVIAN GOVERNMENT DECLARES STATE OF SIEGE
(page 10).
31 Oct 57
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 2
TOP SECRET
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Vgnie
1. SOVIET NUCLEAR-POWERED AIRCRAFT
Comment on:
The director of training for satellite
reactor technicians at the Dubna lab-
oratory stated recently to a US official
that the USSR would soon have a nuclear-
powered aircraft. There have been several similar state-
ments by Soviet officials.
It is probable that the USSR has an air-
craft nuclear propulsion program which may be in an ad-
vanced stage. If it has applied an all-out effort to this
program, it is possible that a subsonic test aircraft could
be flown with nuclear power during the 40th anniversary
celebrations on 7 November, although it is more likely that
such an aircraft would not be ready until late next year.
While such an aircraft would not at this time have perform-
ance characteristics of military significance, Soviet prop-
aganda would certainly treat its flight as further proof of
Communist scientific superiority over the West.
31 Oct 57
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 3
SECRET
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14401
2, KHRUSHCHEV DENOUNCES ZHUKOV PERSONALITY CULT
Reference:
At a meeting of the Soviet party cen-
tral committee convened on 28 October,
Khrushchev denounced Marshal Zhukov
for "attempting to build a personality cult"
around himself,
Khrushchev reportedly opened the
meeting with a six-hour speech in which he
also charged Zhukov with attempting to use
the Soviet armed forces for personal power
and trying to win their loyalty for himself
instead of the party.
Khrushchev
first gained assurances of support from Marshals Konev, Vas-
ilevsky, Malinovsky, and several other top military leaders
before taking action against Zhukov. General Staff Chief Vasily
Sokolovsky was said to be the only marshal who sided with Zhu-
kov.
The Moscow correspondent of the London
Daily Worker reported on 29 October that Zhukov's ouster was
caused by his continuing interference with party work in the
armed forces and the fact that he was "boosting himself in every
way." A complaint about Zhukov's attitude was allegedly made to
the party central committee and presidium by Colonel General
A. S. Zheltov, chief of the Defense Ministry's Main Political
Directorate. Meetings explaining the decision to remove Zhukov
were held in all military districts in the Soviet Union during his
trip to Yugoslavia and Albania. According to the correspondent,
Zhukov's future status will be determined by the attitude he dis-
plays before the central committee.
On 30 October, the Yugoslav ambassador in
Moscow told a foreign journalist that neither he nor his military
attach�who had accompanied Zhukov on his recent trip, was
aware of any development which could justify action against the
marshal. He said he felt certain Zhukov had had no idea what
was awaiting him when he returned to Moscow on 26 October.
31 Oct 57
Current Intelligence Bulletin
Page 4
SECRET
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3. SITUATION REPORT ON THE SOUTH KOREAN ARMY
Unrest in the South Korean army con-
tinues to build up because of continual
political interference in military affairs,
conflicting rumors that President Rhee
may change the army high command for the third time in 16
months, and a realization that reductions in the armed forces
are planned.
The army's upper echelons, which have
become aware of strong efforts by Rhee's Liberal party to
ensure army support for the party in the 1958 elections, are
now participating in political intrigue. Rhee's plan to remove
all his four-star generals from active duty has become gen-
erally known and has resulted in intensified infighting among
ambitious general officers aspiring to top commands.
The army has long been regarded as the
chief stabilizing element in Korea after Rhee's death. Chief
of Staff General Paek Son-yop is genuinely concerned over the
present army situation, realizing his own lack of control. He
has probably exaggerated conditions to shock American lead-
ers into supporting him more strongly, believing he can improve
his own position by showing Rhee and the Liberal party leaders,
who ultimately control the army, that he has substantial US back-
ing.
The army has gradually assumed a political
role since the 1956 elections, and this development might
weaken the ability of any chief of staff to control the army in
a political crisis.
31 Oct 57
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 5
-SECP
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CONFIDENTIAL
4. INDONESIAN GOVERNMENT PLANNING PROLONGED
CAMPAIGN OVER NETHERLANDS NEW GUINEA
Comment on:
The Indonesian government's "West
Irian week," launched on 27 October,
probably under the guidance of Pres-
ident Sukarno, is only the first step
of an intended nationwide campaign to
publicize the government's claims to
sovereignty over Netherlands New Guinea.
Anti-Dutch disturbances reported earlier
in Djakarta have spread to other parts of Java. The Informa-
tion Ministry in Djakarta has announced the formation of an
"action committee for the liberation of West Irian," to launch
large-scale propaganda efforts and stage additional demon-
strations and public meetings.
The New Guinea issue has already proved
popular with both rightist and leftist organizations, which-have
joined forces in calling for severe punitive measures if West
Irian is not "returned" by the Dutch. A Moslem youth group,
for example, has demanded a break in diplomatic relations,
confiscation of Dutch property, a "total strike," and a boycott
of all Dutch enterprises if satisfaction is not gained. The Com-
munists have endorsed the foreign minister's recent threat of
"other measures" if the dispute is not settled peacefully.
Dutch interests are reported apprehensive
over the possibility of violent action against them, and the
American embassy has advised its personnel to stay away from
the business district of Djakarta for the present. Any political
or economic sanctions against the Dutch may ultimately prove
damaging to the Indonesians, who are already faced with a de-
teriorating economic situation. Even government officials admit
they have no military capability against New Guinea,
31 Oct 57
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 6
CONFIDENTIAL
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5. ISRAEL TO COMPLETE DRAINAGE OF LAKE HULA
ON 31 OCTOBER
Comment on:
Israel's final move to drain Lake Hula,
scheduled for the morning of 31 October,
probably will not provoke any significant
reaction from Syria. The Syrians in the
past have protested strongly that the proj-
ect involves violations of the Israeli-Syrian armistice agre-
ment but are now preoccupied with their relations with Turkey.
In September, in-
structions were is-
sued to Syrian forces
on the Israeli front
to "observe" the Is-
raeli workers "but
not oppose them."
The Israeli govern-
ment, in an effort to
avoid arousing the
Syrians, has not per-
mitted advance re-
lease of information
about the G,.)eration,
although lit. hus invited
press representa-
tives to the cere-
mony. The Israelis
apparently do not
expect any reaction
since they have taken
no unusual precau-
tionary measures.
The Hula drain-
age project, begun
in 1950, is aimed at
reclaiming 15,000
acres of potentially
31 Oct 57
- Channel
Channel to be enlarged
- Road
-- Trail
Bridge
- Causeway
Demilitarized zone
30 OCTOBER 1957
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