CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1955/07/28

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Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
03448338
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RIPPUB
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U
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10
Document Creation Date: 
September 20, 2019
Document Release Date: 
September 26, 2019
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Publication Date: 
July 28, 1955
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Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03448338 Wf://, 4,71:40A 1.*#. �v#fri / TOP SECREP W7,00',/r/ $ 28 July 1955 Copy No. CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN DOCUMENT NO. -37 NO CHANGE IN CLASS. H DECLASSIFIED CLASS. CHANGED TO: TS S C NEXT REVIEW DATE: 01 0_ AUTH: HFI 70-2 DATE: REVIEWER: Office of Current Intelligence CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY =TOP SECRET Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 CO3448338 99 Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03448338 Aft. Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03448338 Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03448338 sa AI -3� SUMMARY GENERAL 1. SOUTHEAST ASIA 2. Ex-king Sihanouk reported appointed Cambodian chief of army operations (page 3). WESTERN EUROPE 3. Adenauer outlines plans for Moscow trip (page 4). 4. Norwegian officials reportedly receive Soviet bid to visit Moscow (page 5). THE FORMOSA STRAITS (page 6) 28 July 55 CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 2 TOP SECRET Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03448338 Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03448338 I WI- OF.A.,IXE. I A A GENERAL 1. SOUTHEAST ASIA 2. Ex-king Sihanouk reported appointed Cambodian chief of army operations: Cambodian prince Sihanouk was named chief of army operations on 25 July, Sihanouk is now, in effect, com- mander in chief of the Cambodian security system and is in a position to control the country through the police as well as the army. Comment: Sihanouk abdicated the throne last March in favor of his parents in protest against what he regarded as unwarranted interference by foreign diplomats in Cambodiat in- ternal affairs. His resentment was directed in particular against the Indian members of the International Control Commission, who had urged that he not proceed with plans to revise the constitution as a means of strengthening the monarchy. 28 July 55 CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 3 T111" CrrPFT Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03448338 Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03448338 �-� 1-4 i II The prince has remained the most in- fluential person in Cambodia, however, and his political party is campaigning for the national elections of 11 September on a plat- form calling for the implementation of his "reforms." Sihanouk is not a candidate, but the reported appointment, presumably engi- neered by himself, would enable him to ensure an overwhelming victory for his followers. WESTERN EUROPE 3. Adenauer outlines plans for Moscow trip: Chancellor Adenauer told American officials at Geneva on 25 July that he will not "give up anything" when he visits the Soviet Union. He intends to go to Moscow around September and wants to co-ordinate his plans with the United States before leaving. Foreign Minister von Brentano fears the USSR may make attractive unification proposals, not in the hope of reaching agreement, but rather in the hope of discredit- ing Adenauer in the eyes of the West German people as the indi- vidual blocking German unity. Adenauer is confident, however, that he can meet the unification issue successfully by pointing out that a Germany in NATO would want peace since its territory would In. evitably be the first battlefield. If, on the other hand, the Russians broke up the unity of Western Europe, they would create conditions under which Germany could become as dangerous as it was in the past. Comment: The USSR is likely to take a more positive approach on German unification with Adenauer than it did at Geneva, but without giving up its insistence on neutraliza- tion. 28 July 55 CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 4 TOP SECRET Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03448338 Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03448338 ,A4 4. Norwegian officials reportedly receive Soviet bid to visit Moscow: The Soviet ambassador in Oslo has ap- proached Norwegian foreign minister Lange several times this month urging him to accept an official invitation to visit Moscow. The USSR reportedly pro- posed discussing trade and outstanding Soviet-Norwegian border problems. Lange suggested talks on Norwegians in Soviet prisons. According to the Norwegian Foreign Ministry, Prime Minister Gerhardsen was recently asked by the Soviet ambassador if he would accept an invitation to Moscow if one were extended. The Foreign Ministry believes that a similar ap- proach will be made in Denmark. Comment: The Soviet Union has been making similar approaches to a number of non-Communist govern- ments and the reported invitations probably do not imply that Norway is being singled out for special attention. For some time the Norwegians have been interested in securing Soviet agreement on use of the Pasvik River, which forms the greater part of the Norwegian-Soviet boundary. 28 July 55 CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 5 =TOP SECRET Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03448338 Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03448338 he � I V 14 I V WEEKLY SUMMARY (21-27 July 1955) THE FORMOSA STRAITS Report of the IAC Current Intelligence Group for the Formosa Straits Problem I. The lull in the military situation continues. 2. The first echelon of the Chinese Nationalist 81st Infan- try Division, totaling approximately 50 percent of the division's strength, arrived at Quemoy on 26 July from Formosa. Comple- tion of this movement, scheduled for about mid-August, will in- crease the Quemoy garrison from five reinforced divisions to six, and will increase the garrison strength from 66,000 to 77,000. Both CINCPAC and MAAG opposed this move as the previous forces were considered adequate for mobile defense, and the additional troops and equipment would further complicate logistical support of the offshore islands. However, Chiang Kai-shek has said the movement was essential for maintaining the morale Of the Nationalist forces and demonstrating determination to defend the islands. When the division has completed its transfer, National- ist garrisons on the offshore islands will total nearly 96,000�about 35 percent of MDAP-supported units. 3. Peiping hailed the summit conference as "opening a new road to international negotiation" and marking "the beginning of a new stage in the relaxation of international tension." Peiping noted, however, that "the question of Formosa and the restoration of China legitimate rights in the UN, which were raised by the Soviet Union at the conference were not discussed due to the obstruction of the US." 4. Peiping publicized the agreement on "ambassadorial" talks in Geneva between Communist China and the US to discuss the repatri- ation of civilians and "certain othPr nrnetiral matters," but has so far not otherwise commented. 5. A summary of military developments in Communist China during the period 30 June - 27 July is attached. 28 July 55 CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 6 TOP SECRET Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03448338 Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03448338 k,r1 6., EA, 1 LT ANNEX Following is a summary of significant military developments affecting the Formosa Straits area during the period 30 June - 27 July 1955. Ground: Ground combat activity has continued to be slight in the area opposite Nationalist-held territory. On 20 July, the Communists fired a total of 224 artillery rounds, largest since 6 November 1954, against the Quemoys; however, the Nationalists expended a total of 645 rounds of artillery against Communist targets on the same day. This artillery exchange appears to have been a temporary flare-up as the situation since 20 July has returned to relative inactivity. Air: The Chinese Communists continued their steady progress on development of the six airfields in the coastal area opposite Formosa. Chingyang and Lungchi Airfields may be completed sooner then pre- viously estimated and may be serviceable about 1 August. Continued bad weather recently has revented adequate aerial reconnaissance of the airfield sites. Concurrent with development of this airfield complex, the Communists have been increasing the antiaircraft defenses of sev- eral target areas along the coast. The areas of concentration are; Shanghai (including its fourairfields); the Nantai- Foochow area; the Amoy area; the new airfields at Chingyang, Chenghai, Lungtien, and Lungchi; and the Canton area (including Tienho and White Cloud Airfields). Emplacement of considerable numbers of both medium and light AAA weapons in these areas appears to be a short range and urgent attempt to improve the immediate Communist air defenses along the coast. The air defense build-up is probably designed to prevent Chinese Nationalist air reconnaissance over the coastal air- fields, and other sensitive mainland areas. In the long run, it could provide close-in air defense of selected areas during open hostilities against Formosa. 28 July 55 CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 7 �Tail�Srte-rgg-T Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03448338 Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03448338 jo The existence of an early warning- GI radar in the Nanchang area has been confirmed. Together with radar coverage along the Fukien coast, this will provide for continuous radar surveillance, within equipment limitations, from any point opposite the Formosa Straitsio approximately 260 nautical miles inland. i Transfer of BEAGLE (IL-28) jet light bombers to Manchuria from the USSR continued, with 15 more of these aircraft received in the past month. Three of them arrived on 19 July, the day after the opening of the summit conference. The total of such aircraft deliv- eries to Manchuria since late March has now reached 70. Although present evidence indicates that most of these aircraft have been al- located to the Chinese Communists, the possibility exists that some of them may be going to the North Koreans. Navy: Some of the Soviet destroyers and submarines reported near Tsingtao in late June have apparently been transfered to the Chinese Communist Navy. Sightings at Tsingtao from 1 to 4 July and there- after indicate that all four Gordiy-class destroyers there were fly- ing Chinese Communist colors and it is probable that one of the four recently arrived submarines was also flying the Chinese Communist ensign. The expected transfer in the near future of the other three recently arrived Soviet submarines would increase Chinese Commu- nist naval strength to a total of four destroyers and nine, possibly 11, submarines, one of which is nonoperational. The Chinese Com- munist capability to employ these ships effectively remains unknown. Logistics and Transportation: Another Communist railway engineer division has moved to Fukien Province. This bring to four, and possibly five, the total of such divisions working on the projected rail lines to Aznoy and Foo- chow. Photos show that the Communists had completed by early June at least 65 miles of cleared right of way in central Fukien along the line toward Amoy, awl that nreli7inary work is under way along the line toward Foochow. Improvement of existing roads and the construction of new roads, particularly to the Peiling Penin or h of the Matsu Islands have continued at a rapid pace. 28 July 55 CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 8 TOM.-- F.-I-SECRET Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03448338 Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03448338 FORMOSA STRAITS SITUATION nary r,,11, on-lary sTain NAU1 1CAL MILF5 5,0 160 150 1 1 1 1 To I road 1.00 1-50 .4. 4. + 4. 4_ Proposed Tel I road STA ,I1,, A oPERA1 ! ()NAL 0 A 'SERVICEABLE 41 A UNKNOWN im TINDER NE CONSTRUC T I ON COMMUNIST AIRFIELD LEGEND USABILITY MIT. 15 WC- 17,111.4. IL-28 F.CLINDARY, AUXILIARY OR EMERGENCY BASES, OR FIELDS OF LESSER 10.7. II-10. LA-9/11, LI-2, ETC. IMPORTANCE. RUNWAYS GENERALLY LESS THAN 5000 FEET. UNKNOWN CPLRATIONAL: ACTIVE BASE FOR MILITARY & CIVILIAN AIRCRAFT. SOME RASE, ISHII BY PISTON TYPES MAY 'BE USABLE BY JETS. DESIGNATIONS F I F1,5 ,,01- CONSIDERED CAPABIA OF SUPPOR I NT, SUSTAINED OPERATIONS Ar ARES NT LIST AIL:ILLO PH MARY CONSIDERED MOST IMPORTANT IN AREA. WITH PREPARED RUNWAY GENERALLY 5000 FEET OR LONGER. STRV I 0EAHLE : INACTIVE BASES CAPABLE OF USE BY AIRCRAFT 'CAMN: CURRENT STATUS UNDETERMINED. N.,HON HUPE N A N 28 GSHA AN es , .)Ou A NM?,viYi , \) HU A INING AN HWE t A NA NCR A " Hong Kong (GB.) 240 - (Poet.) 114 18 NANKING F tit E N / KA Oc..,!,II* NGYANG ' �F' Al Stumm* 'cr-t),UEMOY 71,600 , 0, PESCAbORES � U NG H 120 t`,K 1.6.11.0 S Li z CHL,ENOU* le\ CHINHUA N G LucHIA ?MATSUS 18,800 NGTIEN 290,000 116 118 120 122 32 SittoiGHAI TAOYlfAN 'TACHENS HSINCHU 151 CHUVi MOS PINGTU G 22 PRESENTATIONS DIVISION irmT Approved for Release: 2019/09/16 C03448338