CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00975A001100290001-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 23, 2003
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: May 1, 1953
• Content Type: REPORT

1 May 1953
1 --1
Copy No.
CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN
HO CI IANOE IN CLASS.
DEI-, i_AJ'F~i D
LASS, :!AN ED TO: TS
NCI DATE:
AUTH: H'r, 7L`
Office of Current Intelligence
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
DIA and DOS review(s) completed.
TOP SECRET
25X1
25X1
Approved For Release 2004/01/16 : CIA-RDP79T00975AO01100290001-7
 5X1A
Approved For Release 2004/01/16: CIA-RDP79T00975A0011
SUMMARY
25X1
SOUTHEAST ASIA
3. Withdrawal of Viet Minh division from Laos reportedly begun 41 (page 5).
4. King of Laos refuses to leave royal capital (page 7).
5. French commander will deal ruthlessly with any Cambodian revolt
(page 7).
WESTERN EUROPE
25X1
7. Italy seen key to COCOM adoption o ranss pmen con ro
(page 8).
LATIN AMERICA
8. Comment on the British Guiana general elections (page 9).
****
25X1A
Approved For Release 2004/01/16 : CIA-RDP79T00975A001100290001-7
 25X1 Approved For Release 2004/01/16 : CIA-RDP79T00975AO01100290001-7
Next 1 Page(s) In Document Exempt
Approved For Release 2004/01/16 : CIA-RDP79T00975AO01100290001-7
 Approved For R ease 2004/01/16: CIA-RDP79T00975AO0110
25X1
SOUTHEAST ASIA
3. Withdrawal of Viet Minh division from Laos reportedly begun:
25X1A
corner of the Tonkin delta, about 45 miles from Hanoi (see map, p. 6).
Comment: The same source previously
reported that elements of a second division were also withdrawing.
These divisions were last reported somewhere between Xieng Khouang
and the Sam Neua area. The above information may indicate a forth-
coming departure of all units of these divisions from Laos, thus reducing
Viet Minh forces there to about two divisions and lessening the proba-
bility of a deeper enemy drive into Laos. Redeployment of these divisions
could also increase the threat to the Tonkin delta or to the French bastion
at Na San.
The US Army Attache in Saigon reports infor-
mation rated as "probably true" that one entire
Viet Minh division has started a withdrawal from
Laos toward Phu Tho, near the northwestern
The Viet Minh has committed in Laos less than
half of its regular Tonkin forces, and most of the remainder are believed
deployed from Na San eastward to the Tonkin delta area.
-5-
25X1A
Approved For Release 2004/01/16 : CIA-RDP79T00975AO01100290001-7
 Approved For Relea.5e 20
975A00,1100290001-7
N
N
O
Y
x
L
r~~
~
yb
2
6
C l
a
C
~
.r
C
T~ ~'
O
~.
O
m
/
.i
-c=am .~ E
C
C ~'
m
01 C
L
/
l /
/ a
!
ti m
- LL
O O O
D: C 1'
O
O
to
z
m
i'v
~
.0
47
J
~
~~
- a G ~
L
Y
O E
=
e
l'
x
1
1 o
/
_
o
J =
m
z
_
s
_
_ =
z
IF,
1
x
O
%
O 1
O
?p
N
25X1
25X1
Approved For Release 2004/01/16 : CIA-RDP79T00975A001100290001-7
 Approved
se 2004/01 /16 : CIA-RDP79T00975A001 0290001-7
4. King of Laos refuses to leave royal capital:
25X1A
Crown Prince Savang of Laos informed the
American Charge in Vientiane that the king
will remain for the time being in Luang
Prabang to inspire the defense f th
The crown prince implied that if the situation worsened, he would get
the king out and would himself stay in Luang Prabang.
Comment: In response to a French request,
British and American diplomats had attempted to persuade the king to
leave: French authorities are uncertain that Luang Prabang can be held
against a concerted attack and fear that the Viet Minh may capture the
king and make him a tool in their Laotian puppet government. They
have asked for British and American support in attempts to persuade
him to leave the capital.
Crown Prince Savang is the dominant political
personality in Laos and his capture would also give the enemy an oppor-
tunity for exploitation.
5. French commander will deal ruthlessly with any Cambodian revolt:
25X1A
General de Langlade, French commander in
Cambodia, told the American Charge with
great emphasis that he would be ruthless in
crushing any attempt to overthro
F
w
rench
military authority. He said the first place he would attack would be
the Cambodian Royal Palace,
Comment: The French Ambassador to
Japan, who recently talked to the king of Cambodia in Tokyo, does
not believe he is plotting a revolt. It is evident, however, that anti-
French feeling is mounting among the heretofore passive Cambodians.
If the French use such stern measures, serious
repercussions can be expected throughout Indochina.
-7-
25X1A
Approved For Release 2004/01/16 : CIA-RDP79T00975AO01100290001-7
 25X1A
Approved For Rel
WESTERN EUROPE
7. Italy seen key to COCOM adoption of transshipment controls:
25X1A
The Rome government's lack of authority over
the free trade zones in Italy may result in
COCOM's failure to adopt transshipment con-
trols, according to the Department of St
te
.
a
bless Rome takes steps to prevent diversion to these free zone
f
s o
goods from COCOM members, countries not now applying controls
will be reluctant to accept measures that would benefit Italy at their
expense.
Comment: According to the American
Embassy in Rome, a new channel for clandestine East-West trade
was opened by the Naples court decision of 28 March that goods
licensed for export are beyond Italian jurisdiction once they have
cleared customs and entered a bonded warehouse.
25X1A
25X1
Approved For Release 2004/01/16 : CIA-RDP79T00975A001100290001-7
 Approv glr Release 2004/01/16 : CIA-RDP79T00975AO0110490001-7
The ease with which doubtful Austrian
exporters have been able to obtain valid Italian import certificates
has handicapped the efforts of the American Embassy in Vienna to
prevent the diversion of Austrian aluminum to the Orbit.
LATIN AMERICA
8. Comment on the British Guiana general elections:
In British Guiana, which produces about 20
percent of the free world's bauxite, the Communist-led People's Pro-
gressive Party captured 18 out of 24 lower house seats in the colony's
first universal suffrage election on 27 April.
The Progressives, the oldest and best-
organized party in the colony, have been split over whether to admit
publicly their Communist orientation. The faction favoring public
identification includes the party's most colorful leader, Cheddi Sagan,
who has visited London Communist headquarters and traveled in Eastern
Europe in recent years. The Progressive campaign was designed to
feature labor and racial themes.
The power of the Progressives will pre-
sumably be substantially checked by the British Governor and his
key appointive ministers.
25X1A
Approved For Release 2004/01/16 : CIA-RDP79T00975AO01100290001-7