CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1957/04/14

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Keywords: 2018 Sanitization
• Collection: Current/Central Intelligence Bulletin Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 03160444
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2019
• Document Release Date: December 20, 2019
• Publication Date: April 14, 1957

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14 April 1957
Copy No. 134
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CONTENTS
1. SITUATION IN JORDAN
(page 3).
2. JORDAN DEVELOPMENTS REPORTED "SHOCK" TO
NASR (page 4).
3. BRITISH READY TO PAY TOLLS TO EGYPT
(page 5).
4. PATHET LAO STEPS UP MILITARY ACTIVITY
(page 6).
NASR SAYS FIRST PHASE OF ASWAN DAM CONSTRUCTION
WILL BEGIN NEXT YEAR (page 7).
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1. SITUATION IN JORDAN
(Information as of 2300 hours 14 April)
Comment on:
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for the moment at least, by calling into
action loyal Bedouin fighting units of the
Jordan Arab Army to suppress an attempt
by members of the ultranationalist "free
officers" faction and opportunistic Army
Chief of Staff Nuwar to move against the
king on the night of 13-14 April. Although
sporadic fighting took place between some
army units, order has apparently been re-
stored.
twelve officers supporting Nuwar were killed,
and both Nuwar and former leftist prime min-
ister Nabulsi have been arrested and deported
to Syria. Leaders of the three left-wing par-
ties which dominated the Nabulsi cabinet are
reported to have been placed under house ar-
rest.
With the 25,000-man army still rent by fac-
tionalism, however, the king must attempt to
win L support of a population which has generally supported
N,bulsi's brand of anti-Western nationalism and has been indif-
ferent to Jordan's independence. Although the decisive action
has thus far taken place in and around Amman, the reaction of
Jordan's dominant Wett Bank population of anti-Western and anti-
monarchical Palestinian Arabs has not yet fully developed. The
West Jordanians, including up to 18,000 national guardsmen, are
plentifully supplied with arms. Large demonstrations are re-
ported to have taken place on 14 April in several towns on the
west bank of the Jordan River in which the crowds called for
Hussain's removal.
Reported movements of Syrian and Iraqi troops
into Jordan remain =substantiated. Extraordinary Israeli troop
movements opposite Jordan are also unconfirmed. Hussain, how-
ever, appealed to the American embassy for all possible assist-
ance, "especially at this time," because of reported Israeli troop
movements.
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2. JORDAN DEVELOPMENTS REPORTED "SHOCK"
TO NASR
Jordanian king Hussain's action in
dismissing the Nabulsi cabinet on
10 April came as a distinct shock to
Eavntian president Nasr,
Nasr believes this develop-
ment will be a blow to his prestige, and that it will cause
people to say Syria is next. He has stated in this con-
nection that the Americans are undermining him all over
the Near East. Nasr also claims to have learned that
King Hussain, King Faisal of Iraq and King Saud have
agreed that, if necessary, Iraqi and Saudi forces will
co-operate to keep Hussain on the throne.
Comment
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3. BRITISH READY TO PAY TOLLS TO EGYPT
Comment on:
London, under pressure from British\
shipowners, apparently has decided to
accept interim arrangements on Nasr's
terms in the belief that reservation of
its position on a final settlement is the best it can do at
present. The British continue to desire an immediate
Security Council meeting and have indicated they would
be satisfied there with a general statement that there should
be interim arrangements permitting users to pay dues to
Egypt without prejudice to existing legal rights or to any
future settlement. Meanwhile, London is seeking prior pas-
sage in the Suez Canal Users Association of a similar reso-
lution stating that tolls are being paid under protest and that
future rights are reserved. The association is still consid-
ering this resolution.
Following Security Council consideration,
London plans to suggest to Egypt a plan for interim tolls pay-
ment whereby British-flag ships would pay sterling into a.
special account in the Bank of England which could be drawn
upon by Egypt. Presumably, Britain will continue to block
the existing British-held Egyptian accounts, valued at about
$280,000,000, as a device for exerting leverage later.
14 Apr 57
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4. PATHET LAO STEPS UP MILITARY ACTIVITY
Between 8 and 11 April the Pathet Lao
launched two of the largest attacks of
recent months on government outposts
in Sam Neua Province,
Pat et c jef
Souphannouvong has been warned by Ouan
that he intends to order his troops to re-
taliate.
The growing strength of the Pathet attacks
reportedly has forced the Laotian army to withdraw from
three forward posts and the fate of a fourth is in doubt. Cana-
dian members of the International Control Commission fear
general hostilities may break out.
Comment Pathet troop movements apparently aimed
at isolating these positions have been con-
firmed, and there has reportedly been an increase in Pathet
Lao strength in Sam Neua Province to a total of 4,300. In
addition, some of the Viet Minh cadres withdrawn in 1956 are
said to be re-entering Laos.
In the face of intensified Pathet military
pressure, the government is moving troops from central Laos
to reinforce the 3,000 troops it now has in the disputed area.
Pathet Lao to empha-
size political tactics, and it seems unlikely that Pathet lead-
ers would launch an all-out military attack on the government
positions in the disputed provinces so long as there is any
prospect for a political settlement. Their current operations
are probably intended to strengthen their bargaining position
in the deadlocked political negotiations. These aggressive tac-
tics, however, may provoke retaliation on such a scale that
general hostilities could eventually develop, possibly involv-
ing the Viet Minh.
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5. NASR SAYS FIRST PHASE OF ASWAN DAM
CONSTRUCTION WILL BEGIN NEXT YEAR
Egyptian president Nasr told Ambassa-
dor Hare on 10 April that plans had
ust been completed for beginning next
year the first phase of the construction
of the Aswan high dam. Nasr said this phase of the project
would cost about 50,000,000 pounds ($143,500,000 at the of-
ficial exchange rate) and would take five years to complete.
If the expense of this first phase seemed excessive, it might
be decided to stop there. Nasr added that no Suez Canal
funds would be required for financing the project, but he
did not say where the money would actually be obtained.
Comment There has been no evidence of Soviet
interest in the Aswan high dam since
discussion of the project lapsed last summer. Nasr as-
serted last October, however, that the USSR was prepared
to "assist" Egypt on this matter
14 Apr 57
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