CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1956/03/22

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Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
03161854
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RIPPUB
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U
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11
Document Creation Date: 
October 25, 2019
Document Release Date: 
October 31, 2019
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Publication Date: 
March 22, 1956
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PDF icon CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULL[15740111].pdf362.12 KB
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� Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161854 CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN TOP SECRET 22 March 1956 3.5(c) 3.3(h)(2/4)/ Copy No. 1 03 DOCUMENT NO. 053 NO CHANGE IN CLASS egiII CI DECLASSIFIED CLASS. CHANGED TO: TS S C NEXT REVIEW DATE: 2. 010 AUTH: HR 70-2 DATE. 14 114. VI REVIEWER: OFFICE OF CURRENT INTELLIGENCE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161854 /004 Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161854 onik Agik Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161854 Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161854 11 1 A. CONTENTS 1. DUTCH BITTER OVER US ATTITUDE ON INDONESIAN DISPUTE (page 3). 2. USSR REPORTED OFFERING ETHIOPIA $150.000 000 FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (page 4). 3. NEW LAOTIAN GOVERNMENT (page 5). 4. EDWARD OCHAB NAMED TO SUCCEED BIERUT AS POLISH PARTY FIRST SECRETARY (page 6). 22 Mar 56 * * * * THE ARAB-ISRAELI SITUATION page 7) Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 2 TOP SECRET Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161854 Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161854 011111k k I&hI11 ATM 1. DUTCH BITTER OVER US ATTITUDE ON INDONESIAN DISPUTE Ambassador Matthews reported on 19 March that he had never seen the Dutch press so unanimously and bitterly resentful of any country as t is of the United States at the pres- n oreign Minister Luns informed Matthews I his government's dismay at recent statements of Amer- can policy toward Indonesia, which, he said, had deeply hocked the entire country. Public feeling is so strong hat the overnment may have to reappraise its NATO ties, The Dutch are especially aroused by ashington's grant of economic aid to Indonesia, which hey believe failed to consider the fact of Indonesia's uni- lateral abrogation of the Round Table Agreements con- cluded with The Hague in 1949 under UN auspices. Am- bassador Matthews expects the recent American decision not to deliver additional tanks to the Netherlands to worsen relations. While Dutch officials have long been touchy on the US attitude toward their disputes with Indo- nesia, they are now equally disturbed by what they con- sider to be American failure to support other European allies in Cyprus, the Middle East, and North Africa. In view of the lessening of Western European fear of war, anti-American sentiment may become an issue in the June 1956 Dutch national elections. While the Dutch are unlikely to move to sever ties with NATO, they may be more reluctant to support the United States on other issues such as Chinese UN representation and expanding economic relations with the Soviet bloc. 22 Mar 56 Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 3 SECILET Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161854 Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161854 11-4 to, 2. USSR REPORTED OFFERING ETHIOPIA $150,000,000 FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT The Soviet Union has offered Ethiopia economic aid amounting to $150,000,000, The offer reportedly includes funds for a arge am, possi y on the Blue Nile, or for hydroelectric and irrigation development in Eritrea, which is now federated with Ethiopia. Comment This is the first report of such a Soviet offer. A Soviet approach at present would be well timed in view of Ethiopia's resentment over the large amount of foreign assistance offered Egypt for the Aswan High Dam. While Ethiopia would probably not accept outright such large-scale Soviet aid, the government could be expected to make use of such an offer in its relations with the West. (Concurred in by ORR) 22 Mar 56 Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 4 -SECRET- Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161854 Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161854 7751M1tE/ A 3. NEW LAOTIAN GOVERNMENT The new government in Laos under Souvanna Phouma, which won over- whelming approval of the 39-man national assembly on 21 March, is a broad coalition of the major political groups in Laos and should prove stable. The new premier is strongly anti- Communist, but is considered a less forceful personality than former premier Katay. The only assemblyman to vote in op- position was Bong Souvannouvong, who is sympathetic to the Pathet Lao and whose small party was excluded from the cabinet. Although he is not expected to pose a serious problem at the outset as an opposition leader, Bong's in- fluence has been demonstrated by his leading role in block- ing ICatay's two attempts to form a cabinet. There is strong pressure in the assem- bly for a quick solution to the Pathet Lao issue, and the new government will consider this problem its primary task. Judging from Souvanna's recent attitude and that of Crown Prince Savang, with whom he enjoys good working relations, the new government will probably continue its predecessor's tough policy�including guerrilla warfare--and insist on Pathet recognition of the royal government's authority over Phong Saly and Sam Neua Provinces as a prerequisite to the resumption of direct negotiations. 22 Mar 56 Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 5 Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161854 Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161854 CAVA/ IL Niro Now. 4. EDWARD OCHAB NAMED TO SUCCEED BIERUT AS POLISH PARTY FIRST SECRETARY The appointment of Edward Ochab as first secretary of the Polish United Workers (Communist) Party main- tains the pattern of collective leadership that has hereto- fore operated in Poland. Ochab, like his predecessor Bierut, will share leadership of the party with politburo members Jakub Berman and Hilary Minc, who will con- tinue as major sources of authority in the collective lead- ership. Ochab, who is 49 years old, was active in the prewar Communist Party of Poland, having joined the party in 1929 and risen to the central committee by 1938. He spent the war years in the Soviet Union, and has been a member of the politburo since 1949 and the secretariat since 1950. 22 Mar 56 Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 6 CONFIDENTIAL Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161854 Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161854 I #86 THE ARAB-ISRAELI SITUATION (Information as of 1700, 21 March) the Saudi defense minister in Cairo requested that his ministry dispatch immediately de- tailed table of equipment data on an infantry brigade, with information on support elements, including artillery and ar- mored car units, anticipated delivery during March of an undetermined number of aircraft and antiaircraft guns from Egypt, the Saudis may also want equipment for a complete infantry brigade group. On 17 -March "many black cylindrical objects resembling mines" were observed on a pier in Alex- andria adjacent to the Soviet freighter General Cherniakowsky, Egyptian capability to engage in mine warfare is suggested by recent observation in Alex- andria of three motor torpedo boats equipped as patrol mine- layers. A large number of Israeli reserve field- grade officers, principally those with engineer and construc- tion experience, have been recalled for 40 days' active duty, The Israelis are simultaneously requisitioning considerable heavy construction equipment, including low-bed trailers, power shovels and bulldozers. This activity may re- late to initiation of construction on the power project of the Banat Yacov scheme, or to the new program fpr construction of border defenses. The government of Israel has issued orders for a substantial increase in blood bank supplies by 1 June, Enforcement of the 13 March law of the Israeli parliament, permitting denial of exit permits to Israeli citizens in the military reserve forces, may diminish the re- cent heavy increase in visa applications which has swamped con- sular offices in Tel Aviv and Haifa. 22 Mar 56 Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 7 Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161854 Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161854 0.Eilu1 cud %NO BIWEEKLY SUMMARY 8-21 March 1956 THE TAIWAN STRAIT Report of the IAC Current Intelligence Group for the Taiwan Strait Problem 1. There has been no significant naval, air or ground activity during the period, 2. considerable recent Chinese Communist military construction including artillery positions on Lutzu, a small island about 10 miles northwest of the Wuchiu Islands held by about 500 Chinese Nationalist guerrillas. Some of this construction is of an exclusively de- fensive character and the activity is not regarded as necessarily indicating Communist intentions to attack the Wuchius. It in- dicates, however, that the Communists intend to employ artil- lery on Lutzu, from where medium artillery could shell the Wuchius. 3. The Chinese Communists are apparently beginning work on a branch of the Fukien railway to Foochow. a probable survey line stretching for about 10 miles along the north bank of the Min River about 30 miles west of Foochow. 4. There were few new developments in Peiping propa- ganda relating to the Taiwan Strait during the past two weeks. In its 11 March statement on the Geneva talks, Peiping's For- eign Ministry repeated the charge previously made on 4 March of US "occupation" of Taiwan and US "interference in the libera- tion" of the coastal islands 5. In a conversation with the Netherlands charg�n Pei- ping, an assistant to Chou En-Lai declared that Communist China had deliberately fixed no time limit for US acceptance of the de- mands made in the 4 March statement. This declaration was ap- parently made with the intent that it be relayed to the US. The charg�eceived the impression that the Chinese Communists were willing to continue the talks in Geneva 22 Mar 56 Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 8 Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161854 Approved for Rele-ae:-2-01-671-o-/21 C03161854 TAIWAN STRAIT SITUATION 22 MARCH 1956 CHINESE COMMUNIST AIRFIELD LEGEND: DESIGNATIONS PRIMARY AIRFIELD CONSIDERED MOST IMPORTANT IN AREA WITH PREPARED RUNWAY GENERALLY 5000 FEET OR LONGER. SECONDARY AIRFIELD AUXILIARY OR EMERGENCY BASES OR FIELDS OF LESSER IMPORTANCE. RUNWAYS GENERALLY LESS THAN 5000 FEET. ACTIVE BASE FOR MILITARY & CIVILIAN AIR- CRAFT. SOME BASES USED BY PISTON TYPES MAY BE USABLE BY JETS � OPERATIONAL A INACTIVE BASES CAPABLE OF USE BY AIRCRAFT SERVICEABLE CURRENT STATUS UNDETERMINED UNKNOWN H ONAN 1 U ( Ti -7\r H HANKOW AlipA � USABILITY I ? MIG I", TU-2, MIC; IL-I0 LA-9 /11 TU-4 LI-2 IL 213 ETC. UNKNOWN NAN KING 40- WUHU HuAININIG I NANCHAN. SHANGJA0 \ i ) 28 CliANGSHA )-- --) ( ' k ingtan _ / ( Z WENCHOw 0 �-- 1 � Juran / + 1 H 6 t0,000 / � 1, 1 -'-'' ... \ IEI DS NOT CONSIDERED CAPABLE 01 :,UPPORTING SUSTAINED OPER- ATIONS AT PRESENT. KIANGSU I ( fAHIAHSING� CHOU HANGCHOW N I N-f-ePt)40. II NGYANG 1 \ TROOPS I �k A4) CHIENOU* '.4 , Nanping i 53,000 � Ningte 2 t 26 t,- -- / '''''' m)r" FOOCHQW j _ MATSUS r PxY ungan NANTAI�0 21,000 ) 1 o A kt ,- .__. ._ CHANGjING* III LUNGTIEN L ILL1 41EN G --, i ) MB A - . moru k_ ,_ -',.. / /__, i, Ill'HUIAN ) _ / - \ KA Iii CHINGYANG ,..� /s-- -0 , ,.... - \- " i UNGCHI --- MACHIANG* OY QUETVIM 24 189,000 79,000 K WA NGTUNG CHENGHAI \ SWATOW CANTON SFlU IKOU NAUTICAL NILES t � 50 100 5101 I 100 150 STATUTE MILES 150 0 -4-- RAILROAD -1- PROPOSED RAILROAD 141 NAN *NATIONALIST AIRFIELD 41rNC,SHAN TAIPEI * ILAN W AN 325,000 PRIMARY ROADS SECONDARY ROADS *we 6010 1-21_ 24 7ir/20 Twirl Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161854 Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161854 Putien. Hs enyu' Chinchiang Machiang . � 1 Quemoy (Chinmen) 22 MARCH 1956 Weitou Peninsula Lienchiang Paichuan Is .Changlo (White Dogs) Fuching. Chiangyin Meichou Wuchiu� Haitan Yinshan 60103-2F Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161854