CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1959/04/29

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03163329
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RIPPUB
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U
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15
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February 25, 2020
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February 27, 2020
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April 29, 1959
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y zzz Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 ((329 r, v Awe 3.5(c) 3.3(h)(2) 29 April 1959 CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN TOP SECRET ZZZ, 14-prOvecifc7r Pelea-s -- :-20-26/0-2/51-603-16-312V DOCUMENT NO. NO CHANGE IN CLASS.>ir ! DECLASIFIED Ci.AS:3. CHANGED TO: 13 S NEXT REVIEW DATE: _____ _Ictet rAuTI-1: WI 70- DATCV. lY TIEVIEWLTI: 1 Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03163329 �teklEll_etir* PI rove Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03163329 Approved for Release: 20-20/02/21 C03163329 ,29 APRIL 1959 I. THE COMMUNIST BLOC USSR notifies UAR that next phase of Aswan Dam aid is ready ahead of schedule. Chinese Communists have broken up rebel concentrations in Tibet and are blocking escape routes. Soviet delegation takes less rigid posi- tion on nuclear test inspection issue. II. ASIA-AFRICA Turkey increasingly concerned over Communist threat in Iraq. Singapore - Moderates' chances in 30 May general elections further dimmed by failure to unite against Communist-infiltrated People's Ac- tion party. III. THE WEST 0 Adenauer still favors Etzel over Erhard as next West German chancellor, and may try to force showdown within Chris- tian Democratic Union. 0 France hints at possible military inter- vention in Guinea. 0 Panama - Invaders have gained little local support; De la Guardia govern- ment strengthened by responses to his aid appeals. IV. 0 Conclusions of the special USIB committee on the Berlin situa- tion. Approved forli-eles-eT 7020/02/21 C03163329 %V z 17/ Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03163329 %No SECRET Noe CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN 29 April 1959 K DAILY BRIEF L THE COMMUNIST BLOC Soviet Union - UAR: Moscow has informed the UAR High Dam committee that survey work and detailed plans concern- ing the Aswan Dam have been completed almost three weeks ahead of schedule and that Soviet experts are now prepared to discuss construction details with UAR representatives. Moscow is evidently trying to reassure Cairo that Soviet eco- nomic aid is not tied to oli " al relations between the two countries. (Page 1) Tibet: Chinese Communist forces have by now probably broken up �cncentrations of rebels in southeaatern Tibet, although the terrain permits continued activity by small groups. the Chinese are trying to seai me main passes on the southern Tibet border and have blocked the escape route used by the Dalai Lama. Possibly 5,000 Tibetan refugees have so far entered India and Bhutan, but it will now be increasingly difficult to cross the border, Sib-Indian relations continue to deteriorate) (Page 2) *USSR�Nuclear test talks: The Soviet delegate to the Geneva talks stated on 28 April that if the number of inspec- tions of suspected nuclear explosions to be permitted each year is agreed upon in advance, the USSR will drop its de- mand for a veto on the dispatch of inspection teams. In addition, the USSR will agree to permanent inspection groups in the USSR, and permit automatic inspection when control- system instruments indicate a suspicious event. However, the Soviet representative contended that the annual number of inspections to be allowed was a political decision and not related to any technical information or report. In his 23 April letter to President Eisenhower, Khrushchev said there would ?!naturally" be few such in SECRET ,,,Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03163329 Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 CO3163329 / / II. ASIA-AFRICA gy 'turf Turkey-Iraq: nkara is increasingly concerned over the gravity of the Communist threat in Iraq and its implications for Turkish security. Prime Minister Menderes has requested immediate US-Turkish talks on the question. Meanwhile, Turk ish officials have announced that 700 Kurdish tribesmen from Iraq have been granted asyrm These are the first refugees noted crossing this border. Sin apore: (Chief Minister Lim Yew Hock's efforts to unite modera, e forces to oppose the Communist-infiltrated People's Action party in the 30 May general elections have thus far failed. The moderates have nominated a large number of competing can- didates. In contrast the People's Action party has filed a strong slate of candidates restricted to one for each assembly seat) (Page 3) III. THE WEST West Germany: 6.,_d enauer still strongly opposes selection of Economics Minister Erhard as the next chancellor,feeling that It would be difficult to dominate Erhard from the presidency. Finance Minister Etzel is Adenauer's choice. If Adenauer tries to block his nomination, Erhard plans to force a showdown vote in the Christian Democratic Union party caucus, where he now is supported by about 200 out of 270 votes. A date for choosing the new chancellor has not been decided on by the CDU leadership) (Page 4) France-Guinea: (t'rance has implied it may react to Guinea's receipt of arms shipments from Czechoslovakia by undertaking military intervention in Guinea. De Gaulle's diplomatic adviser describes Guinea's neighbors which are members of the French community as most anxious regarding Guinea's intentions. De Gaulle has turned down the American-British suggestion that France promptly appoint an ambassador to Conakry as an ex- pression of Western friendship) (Page 5) 29 Apr 59 DAILY BRIEF ii SECR /,Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03163329/ %ere Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03163329 'vriare Panama: The armed invaders apparently have not gained the local support which they expected from opponents of _Pres- ident de la Guardia. Prompt reaction by the Organization of American States and the delivery of US military equipment to the National Guard have thus far deterred opponents of De la Guardia who might otherwise have moved against him. (113-1t. *An invasion ship carrying 100 men, was reported to have left Cuba on 28 April for Panama or Nicaragua. Such force probably would be spotted by search planes being made avail- able to the OAS investigating committee now in Panama. l(page 6) IV. CONCLUSIONS OF SPECIAL USIB COMMITTEE ON BERLIN SITUATION The USIB has taken note of the following conclusions reached by its special committee on the Berlin situation. The committee pointed out that its conclusions were to be used in context with SNIE 100-2-59 (24 February 1959) and with the review of that es- timate in SNIE 100-2/1-59 (17 March 1959): 1. There are as yet no clear indications of Soviet negotiating tactics at Geneva: (a) By such moves as the 21 April notes to the US and West Germany, the USSR is seeking to divide the Western allies and soften Western positions. The Soviets are also preparing the ground for blaming the West for any failure to reach agreement. (b) While there are no clear indications of what will emerge from the meeting of bloc foreign ministers at Warsaw, it appears to be intended primarily as a dem- onstration of bloc unity and a counter to the Paris meet- ing of the Western foreign ministers. 2. A West German poll shows that willingness to risk hostilities over the Berlin access question is far stronger in West Berlin than West Germany. There were no significant changes in the West Berlin economy and morale. 29 Apr 59 DAILY BRIEF iii --SEC-REF 4Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 CO3163329' 'Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03163329 --SEeRer 'tune 3. Orime Minister Ma,cmillants clear indication that he will not call general elections this spring will tend to increase the pressure on his government to seek a negotiated settlement of the Berlin crisis) 4. While the USSR will not turn over access con- trols to East Germany in the near future, the physical transfer could be accomplished with little or no warn- ing. 5. There are no reliable indications of a bloc Intent in the near future to blockade Allied or West German access to West Berlin, or to seal off West Berlin from the bloc. However, the Soviets could take such actions with little or no warning. 29 Apr 59 DAILY BRIEF iv VA v/ iApproved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03163329 VT.1'1 ry 4-1 rt r". Pr. Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03163329 yawl vier I. THE COMMUNIST BLOC Moscow Seeks to Dispel UAR Fears of Economic Reprisals Moscow is attempting to show the UAR that the Soviet Union plans no economic reprisals for Nasir's anti-Commu- nist campaign in the Middle East. On the heels of Khrushchev's conciliatory letter to Nasir, Radio Moscow announced in reply to UAR and Western press comments that "any talk of stoppage of Soviet aid to the UAR has no foundation." Since then Moscow has informed the UAR High Dam committee�almost three weeks ahead of schedule--that the study and detailed plans for the Aswan High Dam have been completed, and that Soviet experts are pre- pared to discuss details of construction with UAR representatives. Cairo, for its part, has announced that the UAR minister of public works will head a committee of experts who are scheduled to fly to Moscow next we 7k for further discussion concerning the dam. Now that final deliveries of a 200,000-ton wheat consignment are being made, shipments of machinery, fertilizer, paper, and other commercial goods are beginning to arrive at Egyptian ports. Additional deliveries are being scheduled, Bloc petroleum shipments to the UAR also are continuing. Thus far in 1959 they have averaged 200,000 tons a month, well above last year's monthly average 01 150,000 tons. TOP SECRET 29 Apr 59 CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 1 Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03163329 JIME .���.. =IN d=��i�IMil Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03163329 Nime. Tibetan Situation .6-11 concentrations of Tibetan rebel forces have probably been broken by Chinese Communist troops driving into the Khamba-occupied area of southeastern Tibet, Despite Peiping's intense effort to crush the revolt, however, the rugged terrain and availability of local food sources will permit continuing activity by small rebel bands, the Tibetan capital was "absolutely quiet," but :he Chinese were making every effort to seal Tibet's borders with Bhutan, Nepal, and India. They have blocked the escape route used by the Dalai Lama, he said. Possibly 5,000 refugees, however, have succeeded in reaching Bhutan or India within recent weeks, and small groups are expected, with i reasing difficulty, to continue straggling across the border Sino-Indian relations have deteriorated to their lowest level in years. The National People's Congress heard a parade of speakers charging Indian officials with "expansionist" denial of China's sovereignty over Tibet and with complicity in the Dalai Lama's statement denying abduction from Tibet. Press reports from New Delhi state that on 27 April the Chinese Com- munists had officially protested the defacing of Mao Tse-tung's picture by an Indian mob. Prime Minister Nehru, angered by Chinese Communist attacks on India despite his efforts to calm the situation, has accused Peiping of using the "language of the cold war." He said Peiping's charges against India were "so fantastic I find it difficult to deal with them." He stated that he had made a formal protest to Peiping. Nehru apparently believes that his past efforts to avoid recriminations have been interpreted in Peiping as a sign of weakness and intends to make Communist China aware that such charges could have serious effects on Sino-Indian relations. 29 Apr Apr 59 CFKITRAI I ICZFKICF RI II I FTIKI Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03163329 Page 2 04.-.Tirrfmrikieil1 A I Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03163329 'woe II. ASIA-AFRICA Prospects for Left-Wing Victory in Singapore Elections Enhanced 6.ailure of the conservative political parties in Singapore to reach agreement on a unified slate for the 30 May general elections has greatly enhanced the prospects of the Communist- infiltrated People's Action party (PAP). Party officials now be- lieve the PAP will win 30 to 40 of the 51 Legislative Assembly seats at stake. The party's strong list of candidates includes the popular former mayor, Ong Eng Guan, and 12 city councilors who resigned from office on 18 April. The PAP appareqly has avoided serious competition from other left-wing parties) (The other Singapore parties have nominated numerous com- peting candidates despite Chief Minister Lim Yew Hock's plans to form an anti-PAP coalition to prevent fragmentation of the mod- erate vote, Lim's moderate Singapore People's Alliance nominated 39 candidates and the conservative Liberal Socialists 32. In addition, there are 34 independent candidates as well as nominees represent- ing ten other parties. Even Lim may have trouble retaining a Leg- islative Assembly seat in his supposedly "safe" district. The PAP candidate in this contest may slip through with a plurality victory while Lim splits the non-PAP votes with his bitter enemy, former Chief Minister David Marshall, and with a Liberal Socialist candi- date) 6hief Minister Lim may be able to force the withdrawal of some of the moderate candidates. It is doubtful, however, if any action taken by him at this late date, short of instigating disorders to force postponement of the elections, can reverse the trend toward a PAP victory) CONFIDENTIAL 29 Apr 59 CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03163329 Page 3. Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03163329 III. THE WEST Nov eii-auer Strongly Opposed to Erhard as West German Chancellor (West German Chancellor Adenauer strongly opposes Eco- nomics Minister Erhard as his successor because he thinks Erhard will not be firm enough in foreign nolinv. Adenauer feels that Erhard would be "soft or compro- mising" in situations calling for firmness and would be inclined to cooperate with the opposition Social Democratic party (SPD9 Cinance Minister Etzel is Adenauer's choice. A CDU Bun- destag deputy, who is a strong supporter of Adenauer, believes the chancellor is convinced that as president he can dominate Etzel but not Erhard. Krone believes that Adenauer might ulti- mately attempt to reject the presidency and remain as chancellor rather than accept Erhard as his successor) If Adenauer attempts to block Erhard's nomination by ac- clathation, Erhard is prepared to force a showdown vote in the CDU Bundestag faction, where he is supported by 200 out of 270 deputies. He is reported to have been assured of the support of 55 Bavarian deputies and expect8 opposition only from among the 87 deputies from North Rhine -.Westphalia, the Etzel-Adenauer stronghold.) Ehe SPD leadership is seeking legal grounds to compel Ade- nauer to resign as chancellor as soon as he is elected president on 1 July, thus forcing the issue of appointing a new chancellor and aggravating the tension within the CDU. One argument is that Adenauer should resign since as chancellor he would initiate political decisions which he would later be called on to consider as president thereby violating tliP nonpartisan character of the presidency.)1 SEeRET 29 Apr 59 CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 4 Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03163329 Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03163329 IDEA-11E, AN" France May Plan Military Intervention in Guinea The French representative to the tripartite talks on Africa stated that France takes an "extremely serious view" of recent developments 51 Guinea and implied that France may undertake military action members of the French Cam.- munity which are neighbors of Guinea are "most anxious" regard- ing Conakry's intentions. Paris also charges that by accepting bloc overtures Guinea has failed to observe its January treaty arrangements with France) (1ollowing the arrival in Conakry last month of Czech mili- tary and other material, a Polish vessel unloaded further 'VIM" from Eastern Europe on 16 April. Included in this consignment were 500 tons of obsolete arms, including three light tanks and four trucks, and 700 tons of nonmilitary items. A third shipment, reportedly consisting of 600 tons of "machines," is expected to reach Guinea soon) Paris does not feel that sending economic aid or strengthen- ing security forces in surrounding areas are appropriate measures for counteracting possible Communist penetration of Africa through Guinea, De Gaulle on 24 April "vetoed" the British-American rec- ommendation that France promptly appoint an ambassador to Conakry as an expression of Western friendship. The British, however, are considering accrediting their ambassador resident in Monrovia simultaneously to Conakry. Soviet ambassador Gerasimov, with a staff of seven, arrived in Conakry by air on 16 April. A Czech charg�resented his credentials on 11 April and a Bulgarian ambassador has been in residence in Conakry since late January. In view of De Gaulle's insistence on the need for US-UK-French consultation and cooperation on world-wide defense planning, with Africa as a special sphere of French responsibility, he may make his handling of the Guinea problem the immediate test case of his own version of the meaning of We tern solidarity) 29 Apr 59 CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 5 Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03163329 Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03163329 SfCRET- Noe The Situation in Panama The prompt reaction of other American countries to the recent invasion of Panama has probably strengthened the un- stable De la Guardia government and discouraged support for the invaders from other antiadministration groups. The Cuban origin of the armed expedition and of most of its members as well as the apparent lack of feasible postinvasion plans, has probably made De la Guardia's numerous opponents wary of any appearance of cooperation with the invaders. The Council of the Organization of American States in re- sponse to Panamanian appeals for help, sent an investigating committee on 28 April and recommended that member states entertain favorably Panamanian requests for arms. Nicaragua and Guatemala have offered to send military aid, and the US delivered arms and other equipment on 27 April for the Pana- manian National Guard to use against the revolutionaries. In addition, the Cuban Government has condemned participation by its citizens in the attack and promised stringent action against them, although some Cuban officials may have been aware of the expedition preparations. (,me students and other anti-US extremists in Panama re- portedly have plans, however, to incite disorders to commem- orate the serious student-guard riots of May 1958. These may take the form of harassing outbreaks against the unpopular Na- tional Guard, a politically dominated urban police force which has been disconcerted by the scattered small revolts and land- ings of the past month) Guard commandant Vallarino5 whose support of De la Guardia has been the president's main strength has appeared doubtful of the guard's willingness and ability to fight the invasion force. He and other members of the ruling clique were extremely nervous, but the OAS actions should help to stabilize the internal situation also. SECRET 29 Apr 59 CFKITPAI 11�ITPI I itzpkir= cti III CTIM Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03163329 Page 6 _e&ink,_%Frosumur�rarreftrI r Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03163329 ,fte THE PRESIDENT The Vice President Executive Offices of the White House Special Assistant for National Security Affairs Scientific Adviser to the President Director of the Budget Office of Defense and Civilian Mobilization Special Assistant for Security Operations Coordination Board of Consultants on Foreign Intelligence Activities Special Assistant for Foreign Economic Policy Executive Secretary, National Security Council The Treasury Department The Secretary of the Treasury The Department of State The Secretary of State The Under Secretary of State The Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs The Deputy Under Secretary for Political Affairs The Deputy Under Secretary for Administration The Counselor Director, International Cooperation Administration The Director of Intelligence and Research The Department of Defense The Secretary of Defense The Deputy Secretary of Defense Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs The Secretary of the Army The Secretary of the Navy The Secretary of the Air Force The Chairman, The Joint Chiefs of Staff Commandant, United States Marine Corps The Director, The Joint Staff Chief of Staff, United States Army Chief of Naval Operations, United States Navy Chief of Staff, United States Air Force Assistant to Secretary of Defense for Special Operations Director for Intelligence, The Joint Staff Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Department of the Army Director of Naval Intelligence, Department of the Navy Assistant Chief of Staff, Intelligence, Department of the Air Force Supreme Allied Commander, Europe Commander in Chief, Pacific The Department of the Interior The Secretary of the Interior The Department of Commerce The Secretary of Commerce Federal Bureau of Investigation The Director Atomic Energy Commission The Chairman National Security Agency The Director National Indications Center The Director United States Information Agency The Director CONFIDENTIAL Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03163329 Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 CO3163329 - /4- V 47 VI Y ,4% TOP SECRET �� s rzyzzzfizzy A p proved for Release: 2020/02/21 CO3163329, ',//4