CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1955/07/14

Document Type: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
03448326
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
U
Document Page Count: 
6
Document Creation Date: 
September 20, 2019
Document Release Date: 
September 26, 2019
Sequence Number: 
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
July 14, 1955
File: 
AttachmentSize
PDF icon CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULL[15721918].pdf171.77 KB
Body: 
r Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03448326f TOP SECRET f 14 July 1955 1.0133r NO. JJ CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN DOCUMENT NO 1.9 NO CHANGE IN CLASS. Li DECLASSIFIED CLASS. CHANGED TO: TS S C NEXT REVIEW DATE. 20/0 AUTH: HR 70-2 DATE: it4/e12.__. REVIEWER: Office of Current Intelligence CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY I OP SECRET Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03448326 D 3.3(h)(2) 3.5(c) 4/46/ Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03448326 "4".^ NNW* SUMMARY SOUTHEAST ASIA 1. France may refuse to send high-level representative to Saigon (page 3). 2. Indonesian defense minister may be withdrawn from cabinet (page 3). 3. Communist subversion in Singapore and Malaya increasing (page 4). THE FORMOSA STRAITS (page 6). * * * * 14 July 55 CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 2 Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03448326 Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03448326 some *owl SOUTHEAST ASIA 1. France may refuse to send high-level representative to Saigon: The French government is greatly dis- turbed because Vietnam has unexpectedly reopened the question of the title and re- sponsibilities Henri Hoppenot would have as the new Frencn representative in Saigon, according to Premier Faureti personal spokesman. Vietnamese premier Diem demands that Hoppenot have no jurisdiction over the French Expeditionary Corps, and no function outside Vietnam, and that he limit himself there to civil diplomatic functions as ambassador. All three conditions are entirely unacceptable, Faure's spokesman states, and if Diem is adamant, Faure will not send a high commissioner to Saigon but will leave present civil and military chiefs in charge. Comment: Vietnamese representatives in Paris had earlier given French officials the impression that Diem had accepted their proposals. The French have shown increasing irri- tation over this issue, particularly since they have made what they consider extraordinary concessions on the title of a repre- sentative to a country nominally within the French Union. Con- tinuation of this squabble will strengthen the position of the grow- ing element in the French government and the National Assembly in favor of reducing French commitments in Indochina as quickly as possible. 2. Indonesian defense minister may be withdrawn from cabinet: 14 July 55 Indonesia's Progressive Party has re- portedly decided to withdraw its repre- sentative, Defense Minister Iwal from the cabinet, according to Radio Djakarta. President Sukarno and Vice President Hatta presumably have been pressing CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 3 TOP SECRET Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03448326 Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03448326 *fte for such a decision in an effort to resolve the army-cabinet im- passe which developed on 27 June. The withdrawal of the pro-Communist defense minister would be a definite victory for the army. In re- turn for such a major concession, the army probably would be asked to drop its demand for the dismissal of General� Utoyo, the new chief of staff. If the only cabinet development in con- nection with the army crisis is Iwa's withdrawal, the government may continue in office until the 29 September national elections. However, the Party of Greater Indonesia is reported considering withdrawing from the cabinet over the governmenth prolonged failure to settle army difficulties. The withdrawal of this party would make the cabinet totally dependent on the Communist bloc for a parliamentary majority and might precipitate a cabinet col- lapse. Communist subversion in Singapore and Malaya increasing: The American consul general in Singa- pore believes Communist subversion there is considerably greater than the British have previously admitted or ex- pected. Subversive activity in Malp.ya, can e expected to increase greatly after the 27 July elections. Although the British recognize the trend is toward increased Communist-inspired trouble, the counter- measures they have taken so far are inadequate. Under present circumstances, the consul general feels, the British may be obliged to interrupt the transition to self-government in Singa- pore. Comment: Communist activity in Singapore is considerably aided by the Communist-front People's Action Party. The Singapore government in May canceled city council elections apparently because of widespread expectations that this party would win the elections. 14 July 55 CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 4 TOP SECRET Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03448326 Approved for Release: 20119/09/16 C03448326 sire' Nevi It is generally expected that a Malay- Chinese political alliance will sweep the assembly elections on 27 July. This alliance favors granting amnesty to Communist terrorists. 14 July 55 CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 5 �T-Ap crrRr Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03448326 Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03448326 ',roe WEEKLY SUMMARY (7 July-13 July 1955) THE FORMOSA STRAITS Report of the IAC Current Intelligence Group for the Formosa Straits Problem 1. There were no sienificant dpvplopments in the area during the past week. 2. The USSR has apparently continued to transfer addi- tional military equipment to the Chinese Communists. Seven more jet light bombers entered Manchuria during this period, bringing to 62 the number arriving since late March. Two So- viet destroyers and four submarines have arrived at Tsingtao, probably to be turned over to the Chinese Communist navy there. Such a transfer would raise Chinese and submarine strength to at least 11. 14 July 55 CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 6 Prnr, crr p-F-T Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03448326