CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1955/08/03

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Current/Central Intelligence Bulletin Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 03448334
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: September 20, 2019
• Document Release Date: September 26, 2019
• Publication Date: August 3, 1955

Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03448334
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3 August 1955
Copy No.
CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN
DOCUMENT NO. 36
NO CHANGE IN CLASS. VYVV
[ I DECLASSIFIED
CLASS, CHANGED TO: TS S C
NEXT REVIEW DATE: ,R /
AUTH: HR 70-2
DATE: 1////.80_ REVIEWER:
Office of Current Intelligence
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03448334
99
3.5(c)
3.3(h)(2)
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Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03448334
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SUMMARY
FAR EAST
1. South Korea demands Communist withdrawal from south of 38th
parallel (page 3).
SOUTHEAST ASIA
2. Magsaysay-Recto break seen irreconcilable (page 3).
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1 l.J1-
FAR EAST
1. South Korea demands Communist withdrawal from south of 38th
parallel:
The South Korean government's declara-
tion on 1 August that it would attempt to
restore its authority over Communist-
occupied territory south of the 38th
parallel by ordering the Communists
to withdraw is President Rhee's latest
attempt to counter what he fears is a
rapprochement between the United States
and Communist China.
South Korea is not in a posi-
tion to implement such an order, since two American divisions
are positioned astride the main route to the lost areas and Rhee's
forces remain under operational control of the UN Command.
SOUTHEAST ASIA
2. Magsaysay-Recto break seen irreconcilable:
President Magsaysay is apparently
determined to destroy Senator Claro
Recto and is publicly committed to block-
ing his renomination for the Senate on the Nacionalista Party ticket,
according to the American embassy in Manila, which believes a
reconciliation is now virtually impossible. A senator close to the
president has advised him to seek Recto's expulsion by the Nacion-
alista executive committee prior to the party's nominating conven-
tion, which is less than three weeks off.
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`,6.11 Ihr, s.a.. a
Support for Magsaysay from provincial
officials is impressive, but Nacionalista Senator Jose Laurel and
his son, the house speaker, are now backing Recto's renomination.
There are rumors that the Laurels and other congressmen still
hope to heal the Recto-Magsaysay breach.
Comment: Magsaysay is in effect forcing
a showdown with the "old-guard" Nacionalista leadership. Accord-
ing to a press report the controversy has now been submitted to
the party executive, many members of which are local officials
seeking Magsaysay's support in the November election. Recto's
position, however, is considerably strengthened by support from
Jose Laurel, probably the leading party figure next to the presi-
dent. If Magsaysay's present maneuver fails, his influence in the
coming election and on the next legislative session may be consider-
ably reduced.
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Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03448334