CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1956/08/14

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Current/Central Intelligence Bulletin Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 03193797
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: October 25, 2019
• Document Release Date: October 31, 2019
• Publication Date: August 14, 1956

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CURRENT
INTELLIGENCE
BULLETIN
CI)
14 August 1956
Copy No. 105
DOCUMENT NO.
NO CHANSE IN CLASS. ZS.
0 DECLASSVED
CLASS. CHANCE-D TO: TS S C
NEXT REVIEW DATE:
AUTH: HA 70-2
DATE: EVIEWER.
OFFICE OF CURRENT INTELLIGENCE
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
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CONTENTS
1. SUPPORT FOR NASR'S POSITION IN ARAB AND COMMU-
NIST WORLDS (page 3).
2. UPRISING IN LIBYA THREATENED IF BRITAIN MOVES ON
EGYPT FROM LIBYAN BASES (page 5).
3. JORDAN ASKS RELUCTION OF SAUDI FORCES NEAR FRONTIER
(page 6).
4. THAI TRADE MISSION REPORTEDLY LEAVING FOR PEIPING
(page 7).
5. OPPOSITION CONGRESSIONAL PARTIES' BOYCOTT COMPLI-
CATES ECUADORAN POLITICAL CRISIS (page 8).
* * * *
14 Aug 56
THE ARAB-ISRAELI SITUATION
(page 9)
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 2
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1. SUPPORT FOR NASR'S POSITION IN ARAB AND
COMMUNIST WORLDS
Comment on:
I*
gyptian president Nasr's efforts to
rouse nationalistic sentiment in other
rab countries in behalf of Egypt's dis-
ute with the West are showing success.
here is a growing movement in the
rah wnrlii to stage general strikes-1
expressing determination to
esist any effort to impose decisions of
he London conference. Ultrnationalist,
an-Arab social organizatiOs in Egypt,
yri Lebanon and Bahrein have
eenl�Linrcialir preparing for such a demon-
tration. Attacks on Western installations
nd personnel, particularly in Jordan and
yria, are a possibility.
Egyptian military positions in the delta,
the Suez Canal zone and aloncr the n oast e nn tinilp tn hp rength-
ened. addi-
tional naval mines have been delivered to points along the canal
and to the naval base at Alexandria.
Meanwhile, Arab reaction to Nasr's refusal
to attend the London conference is one of enthusiastic support.
The Arab League's Political Committee currently in session in
Cairo gave formal assurance that it fully supported Egypt's
announcement and stated that "any aggression against an Arab
state violates the sovereignty of all Arab states:' In Damascus
14 Aug 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 3
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Nome
In Amman the speech was hailed by
the press as logical and "watertight."
Moscow reacted promptly to the Nasr
statement. In its Near Eastern broadcast it praised Nasr
and defended the legality of his position. Referring to Nases
proposal for an expanded conference, Moscow insisted that
"no reasonable person. . would hesitate to agree with this
Egyptian proposal." The Yugo s also come out
in support of Nasr's position.
14 Aug 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 4
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2. UPRISING IN LIBYA THREATENED IF BRITAIN
MOVES ON EGYPT FROM LIBYAN BASES
14 Aug 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 5
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3. JORDAN ASKS REDUCTION OF SAUDI FORCES
NEAR FRONTIER
Comment
during the last two months Saudi forces
in the vicinity of Jordan's border have been gradually strength-
ened with medium artillery, troops and equipment, The
Saudis may wish to be in a position to occupy areas which
they claim in southern Jordan if that country's unstable polit-
ical situation invites intervention by Iraqi troops recently
deployed near the Iraq-Jordan border.
14 Aug 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 6
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4. THAI TRADE MISSION REPORTEDLY LEAVING
FOR PEIPING
Comment
Although Thailand officially disclaims
any intent to engage in strategic trade
with Communist China, it recently relaxed restrictions
on nonstrategic items. Such trade would provide attrac-
tive revenues for key Thai officials, including the premier
himself and members of his immediate group, who have
interests in various trading companies or who stand to gain
from the issuance of export permits. (Concurred in by ORR)
14 Aug 56
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Nume
CoNFIDENTIAL
5. OPPOSITION CONGRESSIONAL PARTIES' BOYCOTT
COMPLICATES ECUADORAN POLITICAL CRISIS
Congressional members of two opposi-
tion parties boycotted the inaugural
session of the Ecuadoran congress on
10 August, thereby blocking for the
present the congressional certification of Conservative
Ponce Enriquezi victory in the presidential elections of
3 June. The maneuver further complicates the unsettled
Ecuadoran political situation, which was marked by an at-
tempted military uprising in Portoviejo on 6 August.
A number of alternatives to Ponce's ac-
cession to power are reportedly being planned. The two
opposition parties boycotting congress are seeking to com-
bine and install the president of the lower house as de facto
provisional president of the nation. President Velasco, on
the other hand, is reported considering the defeated candi-
date of a third party as the most acceptable compromise
choice for a provisional president. According to the Ameri-
can embassy, Velasco's popularity has reached a high level,
and he might feel obliged to continue in office beyond the
scheduled 1 September date for the inauguration of a new
president.
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Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 8
CONFIDENTIAL
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CONFIDENTIAL- Nwe-
THE ARAB-ISRAELI SITUATION
(Information as of 1700, 13 August)
Nothing of significance to report,
12 Aug 56
Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 9
�CONFIDENTIAL�
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