Western Europe Branch Comments on(Classified)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-01617A000400020011-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 28, 1998
• Sequence Number: 11
• Publication Date: March 7, 1949
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Release 200 P78-01617A000400020011-0
IWO
Office Memorandum UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : Chief, Staff Intelligence Group DATE: 7 March 1949
FROM : Chief, Western Europe Branch. 25X1C4b
SUBJECT: Western Europe Branch Comments on
25X1C4b
Paragraphs 2 and 12 of the Annex:j it is felt
the condition of the Communist-Parties in western
Europe has already deteriorated to a somewhat greater
extent than implied in paragraph 2 and that Soviet
complacency over this factor is exaggerated in the paper,
even though protection of these Parties may not be a
Soviet imperative. Conversely in paragraph 12, the
present as well as the future.position of the Communist
Parties of western Europe may be sufficiently adverse to
cause Soviet alarm at any time.
control.
2. Paragraph 5: Consideration might well be given
to the additional pots tial which could be derived from
countries quickly over by Soviet Forces as well as
from the resources in oo tries already under Soviet
25X1A9a
to result in wars In so
a miscalculation by the
there is no disagreement.,
ever, is cumulative in its
eivable that the western
powers may miscalculate Soviet reAption to some additional
western power act. The unlikeliho d of the western powers'
launching a military attack on the USSR appears at present
to stem as much from their comparative military weakness
as from their superior ability to ev4luate current and
new situations,
effect on the USSR, and it is cori
Action by the western powers, ho
western powers of Soviet action,'
count should be taken of the
es against the UK from points
tern Europe,
tement is made that western
far as this statement applies t
4, Paragraph 16: The st
power miscalculation is unlike
seized by Soviet Forces in w
possible use of guided missi
bombing capabilities, some
Approved For Release 20D /3/02: CIA-RDP78-01617A000400020011-0
3. Paragraph 7: In *ddition to Soviet strategic