CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1956/02/22

Document Type: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
03179146
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
U
Document Page Count: 
10
Document Creation Date: 
October 25, 2019
Document Release Date: 
October 31, 2019
Sequence Number: 
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
February 22, 1956
File: 
AttachmentSize
PDF icon CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULL[15740156].pdf278.32 KB
Body: 
'Pr* 17/ZerIA Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN C03179146r TOP SECRET 22 February 1956 et/ Copy N�. 103 DOCUMENT NO. NO CHANGE IN CLASS EL CI DECLASSIFIED CLASS. CHANGED TO: TS S C NEXT REVIEW DATE: 9.-01 0 AUTH: HR 70-2 DATE. 714. tO REVIEWER ack 3.3(h)(2) OFFICE OF CURRENT INTELLIGENCE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY 3.5(c) /000/ TOP SECRET Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03179146 Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03179146 tink Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03179146 Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C031179146 a JLJ&Ld NI110 CONTENTS 2. PARTY CRISIS IN POLISH COMMUNIST (page 4). 3. CONSEQUENCES OF WESTPHALIAN GOVERNMENT CHANGE (page 5). 4. SINGAPORE CHIEF MINISTER BELIEVED TO HAVE LOST ACTIVE BRITISH SUPPORT (page 6). 5. AMNESTY DEMAND FOR CYPRIOT TERRORISTS UNACCEPTABLE TO BRITAIN (page 7). 6. BELGIAN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION TO VISIT PEIPING (page 8). 22 Feb 56 , THE ARAB-ISRAELI SITUATION (page 9) Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 2 TOP SECRET Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03179146 Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03179146 0111k I 'Jr3L-CITZT 22 Feb 56 Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 3 7_12E-SECRET Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03179146 Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03179146 Sof Visj' 2. PARTY CRISIS IN POLISH COMMUNIST The Polish United Workers (Commu- nist) Party is in the midst of a seri- ous internal crisis which has put the politburo on the defensive, a group of approximately 250 senior party officials is opposed to party policy on many issues. This group is I demanding greater freedom of the press and of internal party criticism, decentralization of the economy, and democratization of the party. � Comment The relaxation of police controls since the fall of Beria has apparently encouraged criticism of regime policies in several of the Satellites. The Polish politburo appears to be attempting to meet some of the complaints by lessening restrictions on the press, by encouraging more criticism on the part of party members, and by cautious appeals to Polish nationalism such as the rehabilitation of prewar Communist leaders. These measures, although intended to mollify discontented party members, may actually en- courage them to push for further concessions. 22 Feb 56 Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 4 Approved for for Release: 2019/10/21 C03179146 Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03179146 Altk f4 IDEIN-1-1-Akr- Oik 3 CONSEQUENCES OF WESTPHALIAN GOVERNMENT CHANGE officials in Bonn consider that, although overthrow of the Christian Democratic state govern- ment of North Rhine-Westphalia de- 71/4�prives Chancellor Adenauer of his two-thirds majority in the national Bundesrat (upper house), federal defense legislation is unlikely to be jeopardized They also be- lieve that unless other state governments are overturned, the Free Democratic Party (FDP) is likely to remain in the Bonn coalition. Comment The Adenauer government is left with only 21 assured votes out of 38 in the Bundesrat, but the five votes of the Bavarian delegation, which would make a two-thirds majority, can probably be counted on in any foreign policy or rearmament issue A two-thirds majority is necessary for passage of certain constitutional amendments affecting rearmament, but Adenauer's Christian Democratic Party has maintained that these amendments are not legally essential for the rearmament program. The chancellor has said that his party's executive will consider, on 24 February, the question of retaining the FDP in the coalition. The decision will be strongly influenced by the fact that the FDP federal cabi- net ministers have condemned the actions of their party in Westphalia and that there is strong opposition to the Westphalian right-wing group throughout the national FDP. 22 Feb 56 Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 5 77-rwrffi-FAIW41�TIAL Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03179146 Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03179146 *INV 4. SINGAPORE CHIEF MINISTER BELIEVED TO HAVE LOST ACTIVE BRITISH SUPPORT David Marshall, chief minister of Singapore, appears to have lost active British support, according to Ameri- can officials in Singapore who have gained this impression from British and local sources. One British of- ficial stated recently that Marshall's behavior has become so erratic that it is impossible to judge the basis of his decisions and movements. However, the British apparently are not trying to unseat the chief minister at this time. Comment Since he assumed office in April, Marshall has been kept almost con- tinually off balance by the tactics of the Communist-ma- nipulated People's Action Party. The political situation has been particularly fluid since November and opposition strength in the Singapore legislature is now equal to that of the government. Marshall's poor health and tenuous political position have reduced his effectiveness as chief minister. None of his prospective successors appears likely to provide vigorous anti-Communist leadership. The British would probably prefer a leading local Chinese as chief minister of Singapore in the event of Marshall's resignation. 22 Feb 56 Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 6 SECRET- Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03179146 Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03179146 JtA..:Kt. 1 Ask 5. AMNESTY DEMAND FOR CYPRIOT TERRORISTS UNACCEPTABLE TO BRITAIN The British Foreign Office feels that yielding to Cypriot Archbishop Makarios' 2 February demand for full amnesty for all arrested persons is out of the question while violence in Cyprus continues, according to the American embassy in London. Governor Harding, however, is unlikely to invoke the death penalty against any terrorists because of the recent British parliamentary vote against capital punishment. London has indicated it would not ob- ject to having a Greek legislative majority under a new Cyprus constitution but cannot give a firm commitment be- fore consulting Turkish and other Cypriots on means of protecting minority rights. Although the Foreign Office is "de- pressed" over the talks and Harding has told Makarios that London may publish their correspondence at any time, the embassy believes that publication may be de- layed to deny Makarios a pretext for accusing the British of rupturing the negotiations. Comment London is still prepared to persist in the effort for a settlement, but Makarios remains suspicious of British intentions and offers. 22 Feb 56 Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 7 --4PPW1192 Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03179146 Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03179146 IrEI ANEMIA %/WI A *awl 4410 6. BELGIAN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION TO VISIT PEIPING The Belgian parliament has accepted an invitation from the Chinese Commu- nist National people's Congress to send a parliamentary mission to visit Corn- '�munist China next fall, according to Belgian foreign min- ister Spaak's personal secretary. Spaak reportedly made it clear to the Chinese deputy extending the invitation that while he saw some reasons for establishing diplomatic re- lations between the two countries, Belgium had no intention of doing so, because of its friendship and alliance with the United States, Spaak's secretary commented that parliamentary pressure for this visit wa,s very great, that Spaak was willing to go along with the American poli- cy of nonrecognition but still considered such contacts useful, and that pressures were perhaps heightened by Belgian interest in trade with Communist China. Comment The success of a Belgian business mis- sion to Communist China in securing an unprecedentedly large fertilizer contract earlier this month may have had an influence in the parliament's de- cision to accept the invitation. The Chinese apparently want this visit to coincide with Communist China's national day in October at which time the Chinese will probably use the presence of foreign visitors in their propaganda for recognition. Spaak told American representatives last September that he felt the time had come for recog- nition of Communist China, but agreed to make no move in this direction without US acquiescence. Spaak was warned by his Socialist Party congress, however, that the party could not support his position indefinitely. 22 Feb 56 Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 8 Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03179146 Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03179146 I Aft THE ARAB-ISRAELI SITUATION (Information as of 1700, 22 February) the Syrian gov- ernment has opened a $22,000,000 letter of credit through an Arab bank for Czech tanks, antitank guns and ammu- nition for both. This figure appears to be too high, either by mistake or as a Syrian plant intended to exaggerate the size of Syria's actual purchases. indicate that Damascus has contracted for military equipment from Czechoslovakia worth about $6, 500,000 in- cluding 15,000 submachine guns and 60 T-34 tanks complete with accessories, ammunition and replacement parts for three years. Syrian interest in Czech armored vehicles, antiaircraft guns and antitank guns. Contracts for such equipment may be negotiated in the future. A large number of the submachine guns and some of the spare parts and accessories for the tanks have already been de- livered to $y,ria. Israeli press comment on Prime Minis- ter Ben-Gurion's public statement that Israel will postpone work on its Jordan water diversion project beyond 1 March has emphasized that this promised delay is conditional on an early return of Eric Johnston to the Near East. One usually well-informed paper has commented, "If Johnston arrives within two or three weeks, we will wait. But if he does not come, we will consider ourselves free to resume work." Ambassador Lawson notes that this press reaction is in line with Foreign Minister Sharett's statements to him. 22 Feb 56 -����� Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 9 TOP SECRET Approved for Release: 2019/10/21 C03179146