CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00975A000400500001-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 14, 2004
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: November 21, 1951
• Content Type: REPORT

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21 November 1951
Copy No.
CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN
DOCUMENT No:
t ; DECLASSI 4E
47
CLA~ZCHANOED TO: Ts so, cU
NEXT f;EVIEw LATE;
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Office of Current Intelligence
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
DIA and DOS review(s)
completed.
TOP SECRET
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SUMMARY
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NEAR EAST
WESTERN EUROPE
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5. Dutch see possibility of war in September 1952 (page 5).
6. Dutch believe that European Defense Forces depend on German admission
7.
to NATO (page 5).
French Assembly's approval of European Army in the balance (Daze 6).
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WESTERN EUROPE
Dutch see possibility of war in September 1952:
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17he Netherlands Defense Minister refused
responsibility for fulfillment of the Dutch defense
rogram if equipment shortages prevent his country
rom fielding a combat-equipped division in time
for the SHAPE euvers next September. The Dutch still maintain that
these maneuvers coincide with o?the moment of greatest danger" and will not
send an incompletely equipped division toward "possible combat. "
Comment. The Dutch have previously referred
to September 1952 as "the moment of greatest danger, " but without giving a
reason.
6o Dutch believe that European Defense Forces depend on German admission to
MA, TO:
The Dutch Foreign Minister has stated that his
government continues to favor the idea of a
European Defense Force, but has expressed
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concern over the slow progress at the Paris conference and the consequent
difficulty of obtaining German participation in the plan. He added that the
best solution would be prompt admission of Germany to NATO.
Fearful lest Benelux constitutional limitations
should prevent adoption of the plan if it should "go too far toward political
federation, " Foreign Minister Stikker further commented that though the
present plans seem to be militarily sound, he doubts their political feasibility.
Comment., For some time, the Dutch have taken
the attitude that German membership in NATO is an essential element in NATO
control of the European Defense Forces. The lack of Dutch enthusiasm for the
plan stems from fear of domination by France and Germany, and for this
reason the Netherlands has sought to establish a definite link between NATO
and the EDF,
The Dutch have consistently objected to expansion
of the EDF plans into political and economic spheres ou ,side the original con-
cept, and specifically oppose proposals for a common budget and a single
high commissioner.
French Assembly's approval of European Army in the balance-
The French National Assembly is now in "full
ferment" with respect to the; Eurropean Defense
Force, although the US Embassy believes that the
final vote will be favorable. Since
however
the
,
,
cis is s may still force a foreign affairs debate on 21 November before the
government can benefit from its sudden "frantic missionary work" among
"critical deputies, " the government's freedom of action in forthcoming nego-
tiations may be restricted.
Numerous Socialists still argue that a last effort
for German unification and neutralization should be made before a final de-
cision is reached on the European Army. Many Socialist and other deputies
are supporting the Gaullist thesis that France must be permitted to maintain
troops in Europe outside the EDF framework.
-6-
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Comment: This is the first indication that the
Pleven government faces an immediate and serious challenge on a major
foreign policy issue in addition to the challenge on. basic economic grafilemsa
The Socialists, who are basically opposed to
German rearmament in any form, initially gave only reluctant approval to
the EDF plan. A year ago in Washington former Defense Minister Moch, a
Socialist, stubbornly held to his party's views by ruling out the creation of
German divisions, and the French Government's recent concessons on;:this
point have apparently antagonized the Socialists.
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