CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1956/05/11

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Current/Central Intelligence Bulletin Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 03161858
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 14
• Document Creation Date: October 25, 2019
• Document Release Date: October 31, 2019
• Publication Date: May 11, 1956

I " Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 CO3161858
V 4,
CURRENT
INTELLIGENCE
BULLETIN
TOP SECRET
3.3(h)(2)
11 May 1956 3.5(c) /
Lopy NO.
DOCUMENT NO
NO CHANGE IN CLASS
DECLASSIFIED
CLASS. CHANGED TO: TS
NEXT REVIEW DATE:
AUTI4: HR 7
DA
REVIEWER.
OFFICE OF CURRENT INTELLIGENCE
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
TOP SECRET
Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161858
Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161858
Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161858
" 1r11111
Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161858
CONTENTS
1. SOVIETS DISPLAY JET HEAVY BOMBERS EQUIPPED
FOR IN-FLIGHT REFUELING page 3).
2. USSR MAKES FISHERIES AGREEMENT WITH .JAPAN
DEPENDENT ON DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS
(page 5).
3. BRITISH PRESTIGE SEEN DECLINING IN IRAQ
:page 6).
4. SPAIN TO APPOINT AMBASSADOR IN RABAT
(page 7).
5. FRENCH-MOROCCAN TENSION NEARS BREAKING POINT
(page 8).
6. NEW COUP IN CUBA REPORTED IMMINENT
(page 9).
7, ARMY MAY SEIZE CONTROL IN ECUADOR
(page 10).
8. PRE-ELECTION TENSION INCREASING IN SOUTH KOREA
(page 11).
9. HUNGARY RELAXES CONTROLS ON AUSTRIAN BORDER
(page 12).
THE ARAB-ISRAELI SITUATION
(page 13)
11 May 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 2
Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161858
Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161858
_ _
414,
1. SOVIETS DISPLAY JET HEAVY BOMBERS EQUIPPED
FOR IN-FLIGHT REFUELING
Photographs of BLSONS participating
in rehearsals for the annual May Day
air show in Moscow show two aircraft
equipped with nose booms. The booms,
similar to one seen during the Soviet
Air Force Day Show on 3 July last year, are about one foot
in diameter and about 13 feet long.
Comment This equipment is probably the probe
element of a probe-and-drogue in-
flight refueling system. With one in-flight refueling from
a compatible tanker, i. e., a tanker with similar perform-
ance characteristics, the combat radius of the BISON
could be extended from 2,450 to 3,300 nautical miles. (See
map, p. 4.)
The absence of squadron markings on
both probe-equipped aircraft, which were interspersed
among about 20 other BISONS when observed, suggests
they are still under the control of the Ministry of Aviation
Industry rather than the Long Range Air Force.
The aerial tanker element of the refuel-
ing system has not been identified. Of known Soviet aircraft,
another BISON or a BEAR would be best suited for this role.
(Prepared by OSI)
11 May 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 3
Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161858
Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161858
COMBAT RADII OF SOVIET
JET EAVY BOMBER
WITH 0,000-POUND BOMB LOAD
11 MAY 1956
Ii May 56
60510 3
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 4
Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161858
Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161858
2. USSR MAKES FISHERIES AGREEMENT WITH JAPAN
DEPENDENT ON DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS
A Japanese-Soviet fisheries agreement
will be signed in Moscow on 11 May, ac-
cording to an announcement by Japanese
foreign minister Shigemitsu. He later
informed Ambassador Allison that Pre-
mier Bulganin had made clear to the
Japanese negotiator in Moscow, Minister
of Agriculture and Forestry Kono, that
implementation of the agreement would depend on the reopen-
ing of diplomatic relations between the USSR and Japan.
Shigemitsu clearly implied that the Japanese government
would probably accede to Bulganin's condition.
II May 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 5
sir
Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161858
Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161858
3. BRITISH PRESTIGE SEEN DECLINING IN IRAQ
Ambassador Galimam reports from
Iraq that a steady decline of British
prestige there is one of the most
significant developments in the area
since the summer of 1955. Gallman
s in part to the worsening British position
in Jordan, Cyprus, and the Persian Gulf shejkdoms, but
also to the conduct of British officials and businessmen in
Iraq. He says British ambassador Wright is increasingly
criticized by Iraqis for his "unwarranted interference" in
internal affairs.
Gallman adds that a generally pro-
British Iraqi news correspondent told him that Wright's
"high-handed and arrogant" conduct is building up real
trouble for Britain in Iraq. The correspondent said that
he had warned British embassy officials that "Britain will
lose this, her last foothold in the Middle East," unless
Wright and others in the embassy change their tactics.
Comment The decline in British prestige in Iraq
has accompanied a loss of influence by
the British throughout the Middle East. Iraq tends to blame
Britain for its failure to obtain an influential position in the
Middle East through the medium of the Baghdad pact. Iraq's
present leaders almost certainly wish to continue their cor-
dial relationships with Britain. They are not likely, however,
to maintain this position should strong popular pressure de-
velop.
11 May 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 6
Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161858
-7-71-7tr-Eitg-14-E4-74Tzr-i-da__
_ Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161858
Sir NO0
4. SPAIN TO APPOINT AMBASSADOR IN RABAT
Comment
Spain has been eager to curry favor
with the Arab states by being the first
to accord Morocco diplomatic recognition. The sultan par-
ticularly desires the presence of accredited ambassadors
at post-Ramadan celebrations on 12 May. France has in-
sisted on delaying diplomatic exchanges until fall. Spain's
action will probably force Paris to alter its schedule radi-
cally.
The British government issued a state-
ment on 10 May recognizing Morocco and Tunisia as sovereign
and independent states, but deferring an exchange of ambassa-
dors until French-Moroccan negotiations are concluded.
11 May 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 7
CONVIDENTT A I_
Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161858
Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 -003161858
Am!
5. FRENCH-MOROCCAN TENSION NEARS BREAKING POINT
Consul General Porter in Rabat believes
that the failure of the Moroccans to reach
an agreement with Paris regarding for-
eign affairs may bring current tension to
a breaking point. Many French residents in Morocco insist
that the situation is more serious now than it was prior to
the Oued Zem massacre on 20 August.
The Moroccan population and elements of
the "Liberation Army" are becoming restive. The French
military forces, smarting under continued Moroccan harass-
ment, have thus far been restrained by their high command.
Comment The sultan does not have the security
forces necessary to prevent widespread
attacks on French residents and is relying on personal ap-
peals for order.
11 May 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 8
t'i i vrirtt47
Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161858
irt
Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161858
Now
6. NEW COUP IN CUBA REPORTED IMMINENT
Comment
There have been previous reports that
officers who served under former pres-
ident Prio were planning a general revolt, which would be
set off by the assassination of President Batista, On 9 May
the Cuban police expelled Prio from Cuba on charges of in-
citing uprisings and the en-
tire Prio "clique" is to be deported.
Popular dissatisfaction with the Batista
regime has been mounting, and Batista, in an effort to
strengthen his position, is reorganizing the military and
has suspended constitutional guarantees.
11 May 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin
Page 9
. 1PTEIT
Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161858
----t....�1,eyrib -ler
Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161858
Aink
7. ARMY MAY SEIZE CONTROL IN ECUADOR
Comment
The approach of the 3 June national
elections for president, vice presi-
dent and congress has occasioned numerous reports of
plots to gain control of the government by force. The
army is the most important factor in Ecuadoran politics.
In the past 30 years Ecuador has had
some 22 presidents, only one of whom was regularly
elected and served out his four-year term. Velasco was
ousted from the presidency in 1935 and again in 1947 be-
cause of his dictatorial measures.
11 May 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 10
Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161858
Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161858
wrif
8. PRE-ELECTION TENSION INCREASING IN SOUTH KOREA
Comment on:
Reports that Cho Pong-am, President
Rhee's remaining opponent in South
Korea's presidential race, has gone into
hiding for fear of assassination reflect
increasing tension in South Korea prior
e 15 May presidential elections,
a est indications point to a close race
be ween ang yon and Rhee's running mate, Yi Ki-pung,
with victory for Yi dependent on the extent of police aid in
rural areas. Both Yi and Chang are regarded as political
moderates and friendly toward the United States. However,
election of Chang would arouse Rhee's ire, and might prompt
him to block Chang's inauguration or amend the rules of suc-
cession.
Opposition anxiety concerning possible
fraud in connection with vote-counting procedures suggests
that large-scale irregularities might lead to postelection
violence in opposition strongholds such as Seoul and Pusan.
11 May 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 11
rr
-.1 in. I
Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161858
Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161858
� M.. -MAL, .11,/, V-.M.
9, HUNGARY RELAXES CONTROLS ON AUSTRIAN BORDER
The announced Hungarian decision on
9 May to "abolish the technical barrier
along the western frontier of the coun-
try is a possibly important step in the
Soviet bloc campaign to reduce interna-
tional tensions and to convince the Satellite people that past
harsh policies are being abandoned. The Hungarian announce-
ment was preceded by Austrian Communist proposals to
Hungary, on the eve of general elections in Austria, that
restrictions on the Austro-Hungarian border be lifted since
they represented a "remnant of the cold war." This maneuver
is unlikely to improve the chances of the Communists in the
election.
The "technical barriers" the Hungarians
intend to abolish are presumably the mine fields and barbed
wire fences. While the Hungarian action is likely to encour-
age many Hungarians to attempt to escape to the West, the
regime's 15,000-man frontier border guard will probably be
able to maintain relatively strict control of the border.
11 May 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 12
"I a TINT A '71'
Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161858
22
Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161858
vowe Ner
THE ARAB-ISRAELI SITUATION
(Information as of 1700, 10 May)
Clashes and incidents continue on the Jor-
danian and Egyptian borders with Israel. An Israel military
spokesman reported that the Tel Aviv-Beersheba railway was
cut two miles north of Beersheba, and that Jordanian infiltrators
had attacked a civilian truck 10 miles north of Tel Aviv. Israeli
patrols killed a Jordanian infiltrator in a clash south of Jerusa-
lem, and engaged in a skirmish with Jordanians 40 miles north
of Jerusalem. Egypt charged that armed Israelis killed an Arab
farmer and wounded a National Guardsman near Gaza. (Press)
the six Vampire jet fighters with Syrian markings which
landed for refueling in Athens on 26 April, presumably on their
way to Syria, were delivered to Syrian air force officers train-
ing in Egypt. they were delivered under an old
contract and added that 12 more_almraftAvere-in_cludesLin_tlie_
contract for future delivery.
(old the Arne-Han a-rmy "attdbhe
in Damascus that Israel had released the Syrian vessel Feisal and
grew and that it was on its way back to Syria. Israel captured the
vessel in August 1955 for violating Israeli territorial waters.
Israel agreed at the time of the Israeli-Syrian prisoner exchange
of 29 March to release the vessel and its crew in the near future.
11 May 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 13
Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03161858