CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1955/07/28
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03448338
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U
Document Page Count:
10
Document Creation Date:
September 20, 2019
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September 26, 2019
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Publication Date:
July 28, 1955
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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
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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)
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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PRESENTATIONS DIVISION
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