CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00975A002300150001-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 9
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 20, 2004
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: December 1, 1955
• Content Type: REPORT

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1 December 1955
Copy o0
CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN
DOCUMENT NO. -J
No CHANGE IN CLASS.
LI DECLASSIFIED
CLASS. CHANCED to: TS 1C~ ,
NEXT REVIEW DATE::
AUTH: HR 7o-4ei
i~-ATE_N REVIEWER:
0
Office of Current Intelligence
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
DIA and DOS review(s) completed.
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CONTENTS
1. SOVIET OFFICIAL ASSERTS EAST GERMANS CONTROL
EAST BERLIN (page 3).
2. RESIGNATION OF TURKISH CABINET (page 4).
THE ARAB-ISRAELI SITUATION
(page 5)
THE TAIWAN STRAIT
;(page 6)
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1. SOVIET OFFICIAL ASSERTS EAST GERMANS CONTROL
EAST BERLIN
ficially with Britain, France, and the United States. Al-
though in theory this would extend to East Berlin the re-
strictions on Allied access to East Germany, in practice
East Berlin will probably continue for the time being to be
more accessible, with only spot harassments. To date there
is no sign that the Soviet action is intended as a challenge to
Allied control of West Berlin or access to the city.
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The assertion by the Soviet commandant
in Berlin, General Dibrova, that the
German Democratic Republic is the
sovereign authority in East Berlin
opens the way to ast German efforts to interfere with
Allied travel in East Berlin and to deal directly and of-
The letters exchanged at the time of the
Soviet-East German treaty of 20 September said that East
Germany would "e)qercise guard and control functions" along
the zonal and sector borders and in Berlin, while control
.over Allied military traffic to Berlin was reserved to the
Soviet authorities. According to press reports, General
Dibrova stated that the transfer of authority over East Berlin
to the East German regime had occurred during Foreign Min-
ister Molotov's stop in Berlin on 17 and 18 November on the
way home from the Geneva foreign ministers' conference.
East German administrative organs have
been exercising gradually increasing gontrol over those of
the East Berlin government.
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2. RESIGNATION OF TURKISH CABINET
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The resignation of the Turkish cabinet
on 29 November, immediately follow-
ing the censure of Acting Foreign Min-
ister Zorlu, the minister of economy, and the finance min-
ister during a Democratic Party "caucus," reflects growing
popular discontent with the government's economic program.
Prime Minister Menderes, who has been asked to form a
new cabinet, may have encouraged the party's criticism of
these three ministers in order to shift responsibility from
himself for Turkey's economic deterioration and to forestall
criticism in the Grand National Assembly.
Turkish legislators have been concerned
over the sharp rise in the cost of living and have called for
counterinflationary measures. Several deputies have strongly
criticized the government for its lack of economic planning
and its neglect of current needs in favor of long-term invest-
ment.
Deputies who have recently returned from
the provinces have heatedly criticized the shortage of es-
sential commodities, indicating for the first time that the
peasant population, which is the primary basis of Menderes'
political strength, has been affected by Turkey's worsening -
economic situation.
Menderes' new cabinet will probably con-
tain many of his former ministers. The prime minister will
probably now make revisions in his economic program
in an attempt to speed negotiations aimed at getting a long-
sought American loano
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been reported in the past 24 hours.
The presence of five Egyptian jet
fighters (British Meteors) and a C-47 transport at
Damascus airport has been confirmed
This is the first in ica ion a e
joint Egyptian-Syrian command is starting to operate
on a working level.
Egyptian minister of war Amir ar-
rived in Jordan from Damascus for a three-day visit on
30 November. The purpose of Amir's visit is not known,
but he will probably try to persuade Jordan to join an ar-
rangement similar to the ones Egypt now has with Syria
and Saudi Arabia for the co-ordination of Arab military
action against Israel.
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THE ARAB-ISRAELI SITUATION
(Information as of 1700, 30 November)
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BIWEEKLY SUMMARY
17-30 November 1955
THE TAIWAN STRAIT
Report of the LAC Current Intelligence Group
for the Taiwan Strait Problem
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1. After a. lull of several weeks in artillery duels in the
Quemoy area, Chinese Nationalist 155mm howitzers on 28
November fired 240 rounds at a causeway which the Chinese
Communists are constructing between the mainland and Tateng
Island, four to five miles north of Quemoy, Communist artil-
lery res onded with 680 rounds. No major damage was re-
ported.
larger weapons could take any point on Quemoy under fire.
2. The Chinese Communists began constructing the 6,300-
foot causeway to Tateng apparently early in November. Such
a link with the mainland would facilitate supply of Communist
military positions on Tateng. Communist artillery now on the
island is believed to include only 76mm guns, but 122mm or
Current Intelligence Bulletin
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6. Construction of Fukien Province's first rail line,
from Yingtan to Amoy, is apparently proceeding rapidly.
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Since grading work, has been in progress for sev-
eral months on the northern two thirds of the 400-mile
line, it is now believed the Communists can complete the
entire project by the end of 1956. This would be in advance
of the timetable recently announced by Peiping.
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7. The only major Chinese Communist pronouncement
on the Taiwan issue during the period was a statement by
Vice Premier Chen Yi published in the East German press
on 24 November. Chen remarked that there were two pos-
sible solutions to the question of Taiwan- -withdrawal of US
forces or "liberation" by military force. Chen stated that
Peiping preferred a peaceful solution but realized that it
must be prepared for action. He enumerated specific prep-
arations for an invasion, including new airfields, new rail-
roads in Fukien, and construction of ships for amphibious
operations.
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