CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00975A002400300001-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 1, 2002
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: February 24, 1956
• Content Type: REPORT

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CURRENT
INTELLIGENCE
BULLETIN
24 February 1956
Copy No. 103
DOCUMENT NO. 3d
NO CHANGE IN CLASS fa
DECLASSIFIED
CLASS. CHANGED TO: TS S C
NEXT REVIEW DATE:......7.0 (f!
AUTH: HR 70-2
DATE: REVIEWER:
OFFICE OF CURRENT INTELLIGENCE
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
DIA and DOS review(s) completed.
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"4. MOSCOW MAKES ECONOMIC OVERTU tES TO LEBANON
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THE ARAB-ISRAELI SITUATION
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24 Feb 56 Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 2
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4. MOSCOW MAKES ECONOMIC OVERTURES TO LEBANON
this list to the industries covered in a detailed market
survey made by Czechoslovakia several months ago sug-
gests that the Soviet "survey team" will probably attempt
to negotiate detailed contracts on terms attractive to the
Lebanese.
The arrival in Lebanon on 21 February
of a "survey team" of six high-level
Soviet engineers is the latest move in
the USSR's campaign to participate in
development programs of Arab states.
The Soviet engineers reportedly are
interested in oil refineries and storage
tanks, textile factories, construction
o harbors, rages and railway lines. The similarity of
In the last several weeks Beirut has
signed trade agreements with Poland, Rumania and Com-
munist China. (Prepared by ORR)
24 Feb 56 Current Intelligence Bulletin Page 6
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THE ARAB-ISRAELI SITUATION
(Information as of 1700, 23 February)
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An Israeli spokesman alleged that
Syrian riflemen opened fire on Israeli fishing boats near
the northeastern sector of Lake Tiberias on 23 February.
No casualties were reported. An Israeli spokesman also
said that Egyptians had fired on an Israeli patrol in the
Gaza strip on 22 February, wounding five Israelis.
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Syria is increasing its strength on the
Syrian-Israeli border. Twelve tanks, six half-tracks,
and six trucks were reported moving toward Quneitra on
20 February. The American army attache reports that
Syrian troops at or near the frontier appear to be at full 25X1A
strength--four brigades--and that the usual force of 11. or
12 tanks may now have been doubled
Johnston plan.
work at Banat Yacov unless the Arabs agree to the
UN truce supervisor General Burns
told the American consul general in Jerusalem on 23
February after an interview with Israeli foreign minister
Sharett that he was "confronted on all outstanding subjects
with a negative attitude on the part of Israel." Burns said
that Israel has (1) taken no steps to implement the UN
secretary general's proposals which it had "accepted un-
conditionally," (2) rejected his suggestion to discontinue
daylight motor patrols along the Gaza strip, (3) shown no
interest in his suggestions for improving the situation at
Lake Tiberias, and (4) reasserted its "right" to resume
Major Sarraj, head of Syrian army intel-
ligence and leader of the dominant junior officer clique
which advocates a tough policy against Israel, in a talk
with the American army attache in Damascus appeared to
be much less warlike than before his visit to Cairo. Sarraj
was most impressed with the growing strength of the
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Egyptian army and its new equipment. He said that the
military talks with Egypt had been satisfactory, that
Egypt and Syria had a full understanding, and that an
Israeli attack would bring rapid retaliation whether
launched against Syria, Jordan, or Egypt. Sarraj did
not believe that Israel would attack Lebanon.
merit.
'A Japanese Foreign Ministry official
has inquired whether a change in policy is indicated by
the lifting of the American embargo on arms to the Near
East and Britain's statement that it proposes to continue
shipments. Because of the depressed condition of the in-
dustry following the virtual cessation of American orders,
Japanese businessmen have been searching for new
markets. An Israeli mission is now visiting Japan, re-
portedly in the hope of purchasing arms and military equip-
24 Feb 56 Current Intelligence Bulletin
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