GENERAL

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-01617A006100060017-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 30, 2008
• Sequence Number: 17
• Publication Date: March 14, 1950
• Content Type: SUMMARY

Approved For Release 2008/06/30: CIA-RDP78-01617AO06100060017-6 t MAR 1950
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GENERAL
1o Situation in Iran termed "especially dangerous"--US
Embassy Moscow views the current situation in Iran as
"especially dangerous' and believes the USSR will be
quick to exploit the situation. The Embassy adds that
the fall of Iran to the USSR would have an extremely
depressing effect on the entire Middle East. As possible
remedial action, the Embassy suggests that surplus US
foodstuffs, clothing, and medicines be distributed in Iran
and that a "high calibre" American be sent to Iran to
prepare a list of urgent projects for submission either
to the Export-Import Bank or to the US Congress. The
Embassy comments that such a visit, properly publicized,
would have a heartening effect in Iran and would notify
the USSR that the US does not propose to let Iran fall into
Soviet hands by default.
2. Views on German unity issue-US Embassy Moscow
expresses the opinion that the Western Powers must
seriously reckon with the possibility of a Soviet move
to conclude a 6phony" separate peace treaty with the
German Democratic Republic (GDR) and must pursue an
active role in promoting German unity. The Embassy
points out that the recent foreign policy speech by GDR
Foreign Minister Dertinger suggests that, the USSR would
conclude a separate peace treaty after further "legitimi-
zation? of the claim that the GDR and National Front
speak in the name of all Germany.
(CIA Comment- CIA believes the USSR is unlikely
to conclude an early separate peace treaty with the GDR
unless the Western Powers conclude a separate treaty
with the Bonn Government in the near future.)
State Dept. review completed
Approved For Release 2008/06/30: CIA-RDP78-01617AO06100060017-6
 Approved For Release 2008/06/30: CIA-RDP78-01617AO06100060017-6
T0P,SECRET
EUROPE
3. BELGIUM: Cabinet split over Leopold question-`US
Embassy Brussels has been informed that the Belgian
Cabinet is badly split over the question of the return of
King Leopold, following the results of the "popular con-
sultation" on 12 March 1950. The Embassy has also
learned that Premier Eyskens, who has flown to Geneva
to discuss the problem with the King, will threaten to
resign if Leopold does not abdicate, The Embassy's
source believes the chances of civil disturbances over
the issue of Leopold's return are not great.
(CIA Comment: CIA anticipates that the present
political uncertainty in Belgium resulting from the
Leopold question will not be resolved for some time.)
T OPN43ep
Approved For Release 2008/06/30: CIA-RDP78-01617AO06100060017-6