NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00975A028100010043-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 22
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 2, 2006
• Sequence Number: 43
• Publication Date: September 26, 1975
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2007/03/14: CIA-RDP79T00975AO28100010043-2
Top Secret
National Intelligence
Bulletin
State Dept. review completed
DIA review(s) completed.
Top Secret
September 26, 1975
0
Approved For Release 2007/03/14: CIA-RDP79T00975AO281000 0436 9
 25X1 Approved For Release 2007/03/14: CIA-RDP79T00975AO28100010043-2
Approved For Release 2007/03/14: CIA-RDP79T00975AO28100010043-2
 Approved For Release A
National Intelligence Bulletin
September 26, 1975
CONTENTS
LEBANON: Situation report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
PORTUGAL: Enlisted men demonstrate
in defiance of government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
MBFR: New round of
talks opens today . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
KOREA: Pyongyang reacts negatively
to conference proposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
CHINA: Chou's health poor again . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
ITALY: Parties meet
to discuss strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
RHODESIA: African National Council
to hold first congress this weekend . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
NORWAY: Prime Minister to
resign in January . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
BOLIVIA: Banzer pressing Chile
for access to the Pacific . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
BANGLADESH: New regime
much like Mujib's . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Approved For Release 4007103114 ? CIA_RDR79T00975A028100010043-2
 Approved For Release 2
National Intelligence Bulletin September 26, 1975
The fighting in Beirut tapered off yesterday, but armed militiamen did not
withdraw from the barricades in some areas. The new national conciliation
committee held its initial meeting but apparently accomplished little.
One of the principal obstacles to Christian-Muslim reconciliation appears to be
the adamant refusal of conservative Christian leaders-including President
Franjiyah-to make meaningful concessions to the Muslims.
A leader of the Maronite Christian community informed Ambassador Godley
that Franjiyah and Phalangist leader Jumayyil told a meeting of Maronite leaders on
Tuesday that they would refuse to consider any modification of the existing
political structure. Many less conservative Christians are convinced that compromise
is the only way out.
Jumayyil apparently sees himself as the only barrier to an arrangement that
would alter the Lebanese political system in favor of the Muslims. His intransigence
is playing into the hands of those leftists and radical fedayeen groups determined to
keep the conflict going.
President Franjiyah's motives are less clear, but he may be acting in part to
discredit Prime Minister Karami. In any event, the President has played no
constructive role toward ending the crisis and has clearly been resisting the Syrian
mediation effort, which appears to be the best hope of ending the impasse. By now,
Franjiyah is so discredited that he is not likely to survive in office for long.
Approved For Release 2007/03/14: 6A-RDP79T00975A028100010043-2
 25X1 Approved For Release 2007/03/14: CIA-RDP79T00975AO28100010043-2
Next 1 Page(s) In Document Exempt
Approved For Release 2007/03/14: CIA-RDP79T00975AO28100010043-2
 Approved For Release
National Intelligence Bulletin September 26, 1975
Several thousand Portuguese military enlisted personnel led an anti-government
demonstration in Lisbon last night, openly challenging a pledge by the new
government to restore public order and enforce military discipline.
The soldiers, members of the extreme-left-sponsored organization "Soldiers
United Shall Win," demanded a more revolutionary government and defiantly
shouted "Portugal will not be Europe's Chile."
After the demonstration ended, the participants, reinforced by thousands of
leftist civilians, went to a military prison in the suburbs of Lisbon and demanded the
release of two of their comrades who had been arrested earlier. An unconfirmed
press report said the two prisoners were subsequently freed, but that it had not been
determined who authorized their release.
The demonstration is only the latest in a series of breaches of military
discipline that the new government shall have to deal with if it is going to establish
its authority.
Other examples have included:
-.-Anti-government demonstrations by the same organization in Porto and
Sacavem, a Lisbon suburb.
---The theft of at least 1,000 automatic rifles from a military arsenal by a
security forces officer, who later boasted that he had turned them over to
"revolutionary workers."
--Creation of a second revolutionary enlisted men's organization in the Lisbon
Military Region dedicated to ensuring a "progressive" orientation for the
Armed Forces Movement.
-.-Refusal by military police to obey orders to go to Angola and a reaffirmation
of their ties with "progressive forces."
The military police figured in another disturbance in Lisbon on Wednesday,
when they clashed with hundreds of jobless Angolan refugees. Because of their
well-publicized leftist leanings and their refusal to embark for Angola, the military
police are special targets for the wrath of the returnees.
Approved For Release 2007/03/14 4CIA-RDP79T00975A028100010043-2
 Approved For Rele
se 2007/03/14: CIA-RDP79 00975A028100010043-2
National Intelligence Bulletin September 26, 1975
According to the US embassy in Lisbon, Army Chief of Staff Fabiao met with
military region commanders and other key officers on Wednesday to discuss
deteriorating discipline. The subject reportedly was also taken up yesterday in a
meeting of the Revolutionary Council, which continued late into the night.
Before it can hope to discipline the enlisted personnel, the Council, it seems,
will have to place some restraints upon two of its own members, Admiral Rosa
Coutinho and General Carvalho, both leaders of the extreme left nationalist faction.
Upon their return yesterday from Sweden at the head of an official delegation, the
two officers made statements which can only provide encouragement to those
elements that have decided to defy the government and test its mettle.
Rosa Coutinho described both last night's demonstration and the
Communist-backed steelworkers' strike on Wednesday, which was an open challenge
to the new anti-Communist labor minister, as "justified warnings." Not to be
outdone, the outspoken Carvalho said he was not worried that arms had been
handed over by one of his own security officers to leftist forces. He would be
worried, Carvalho said, if the weapons in question had gone to the rightists, but that
now they were "in good hands."
I
Approved For Release 2007/03/145 CIA-RDP79T00975AO28100010043-2
 Approved For Release
National Intelligence Bulletin
September 26, 1975
The current round of MBFR talks opening today in Vienna will be seen by
West Europeans as the first major test of the "spirit of Helsinki." Some progress in
this round of the negotiations, however, is anticipated if the West can reach
agreement on its long-awaited nuclear proposal.
The East has encouraged the belief that once a CSCE agreement is concluded,
progiress at MBFR will follow. Subsequently, Brezhnev-along with many Western
leaders-underlined the need to give priority attention to reducing the size of the
armed forces in Central Europe.
Some progress in Vienna may come when the West is able to surmount
reservations on the part of some Europeans regarding Option III, the long-awaited
nuclear reduction proposal which the US introduced in NATO last summer. At the
present stage of negotiations in Brussels, this proposal calls for a reduction in
Western Europe of US nuclear warheads and delivery systems in return for a
withdrawal of a Soviet tank army and a Soviet commitment to a common ceiling for
both Warsaw Pact and NATO air and ground manpower. Although considerable
agreement has been reached among the allies regarding the proposal, differences
remain in two key areas: limitations on allied armaments and the definition of a
common ceiling.
The West Germans are concerned that the introduction of Option I I I may shift
the emphasis at the MBFR talks from troop reductions to broader questions
involving armaments. They would like to ensure that a force-reduction agreement
will not result in limitations on West European military equipment.
The British in past NATO discussions of Option III have emphasized the
objective of a specific, numerical manpower ceiling for both the Warsaw Pact and
NATO. They and their supporters have now given up this commitment. The
Germans and the British remain determined to use Option III to buy more than a
formal commitment to a common ceiling, but they have not yet decided what it
should be.
Western agreement to include air manpower in the common ceiling has also
made it more difficult to keep the focus on East-West ground force disparities. The
Belgians have argued that this issue is likely to prove so difficult for the allies that
Option III may have to be introduced without an accompanying air manpower
proposal. The parallel introduction of these proposals is intended to meet the East's
demand that Western air and nuclear forces be included in any reduction package.
Approved For Release 2007/03/14 : 6;IA-RDP79T00975A028100010043-2
 25X1 Approved For Release 2007/03/14: CIA-RDP79T00975AO28100010043-2
Approved For Release 2007/03/14: CIA-RDP79T00975AO28100010043-2
 Approved For Relealse 2007/03/14: CIA-RDP79TQ0975AO28100010043-2
National Intelligence Bulletin
September 26, 1975
North Korea has reacted negatively to the recent US - South Korean proposal
for a conference aimed at easing tensions in Korea.
A Foreign Ministry statement yesterday was mild in tone by North Korean
standards, but it contained a point-by-point rejection of the US - South Korean
recommendations. Pyongyang said:
--The Korean armistice agreement cannot be preserved, as the US urges, but
must be replaced by a US - North Korean peace treaty.
--South Korea, not a signatory to the armistice, cannot be made a party to any
new armistice arrangements.
--Reciprocal recognition-of North Korea by the US and of South Korea by
Pyongyang's allies-and dual UN membership for the two Koreas are
unacceptable because they would perpetuate the division of the country.
The North Koreans refused to acknowledge that the US - South Korean
proposal contains a major new element-the call for a conference on Korea, to be
attended initially by the parties directly concerned with the armistice (the US,
North and South Korea, and China). There is no doubt that Pyongyang is opposed
to such a conference now. The North Koreans may well have avoided a categorical
rejection of the proposal in order to minimize charges that it is unwilling to engage
in dialogue, a consideration of some importance now as the vote at the UN on
competing Korean resolutions nears. The North Koreans are probably concerned
that the US initiative could benefit the US and South Korea tactically in the General
Assembly.
The Chinese have not yet commented on the US - South Korean proposal. A
high-level Chinese delegation led by Politburo member Chang Chun-chiao arrived in
Pyongyang on Sunday and the proposal, as well as strategy for the UN General
Assembly debate on the Korea question, is undoubtedly under discussion. Neither
side has released any details on the talks.
In coming to grips with the new proposal, the Chinese will have to take into
consideration their developing ties with the US and their keen interest in avoiding
increased tensions on the Korean Peninsula. At a welcoming banquet Sunday night,
however, Chang reiterated standard expressions of Chinese support for Pyongyang,
suggesting that when Peking's response is voiced-perhaps in Foreign Minister Chiao
Approved For Release 2007/03/14 PCIA-RDP79T00975AO28100010043-2
 Approved For Release
National Intelligence Bulletin
September 26, 1975
Kuan-hua's scheduled speech at the General Assembly-it will firmly support
Pyongyang's position. Like Pyongyang, Peking's response will probably be aimed
primarily at blunting any possible tactical benefits Seoul might gain at the UN from
the US proposal.
There has been no Soviet reaction to the Korean proposal.
The health of Premier Chou En-lai has apparently taken a turn for the worse.
This may be temporary, but repetition of the condition can be expected in the
future.
Chou failed to meet North Vietnamese party chief Le Duan and former British
prime minister Heath during their visits to China this month. Both visitors met
Chairman Mao and would normally have talked with Chou. Heath was informed that
the Premier wanted to meet him but was prevented from doing so by his doctors.
The Chinese press is not keeping the Premier's fragile health a secret from the
populace. It published the remarks of Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Khieu
Samphan last month that Chou was "not in the best of health."
Approved For Release
p975A028100010043-2
 25X1 Approved For Release 2007/03/14: CIA-RDP79T00975AO28100010043-2
Next 2 Page(s) In Document Exempt
Approved For Release 2007/03/14: CIA-RDP79T00975AO28100010043-2
 Approved For Releas 2007/03/14: CIA-RDP79T0 975AO28100010043-2
National Intelligence Bulletin September 26 1975
Italy's Christian Democrats and Socialists have each held party leadership
meetings recently to grapple with political problems brought on by the Communists'
strong showing in the nationwide local elections last June. The two parties' differing
views on how to deal with the Communists remain a major obstacle to renewal of
the cooperation between them that has been the basis for most Italian governments
since 1963.
Both parties said they still see Prime Minister Moro's fragile government-in
which only the Christian Democrats and the Republicans hold cabinet posts-as the
only viable possibility under present circumstances. The Socialists, however, seemed
to condition their continued support on the government's responsiveness to
organized labor's demands in major contract talks that get under way this week.
At their gathering, the Christian Democrats took a step toward the Socialists
but did not go far enough to bridge the gap on the Communist issue. In a
compromise reflecting the sharp divisions between the party's left and right wings,
the Christian Democrats voted to maintain their opposition to the Communists but
to open a "competitive dialogue" with them-provided such an exchange does not
blur the distinction between majority and opposition.
Party leader Zaccagnini and Prime Minister Moro are the major advocates of the
"dialogue" proposal, but they face an uphill fight in trying to make this vague
formulation specific enough to satisfy the Socialists and still obtain agreement
within their own party. Conservative Christian Democrats have warned that dialogue
with the Communists is a losing proposition unless their party first develops its own
clear line on major policy questions.
The Socialist meeting, meanwhile, underlined the growing fear among party
leaders that their post-election maneuvers have hurt the party by identifying it too
closely with the better organized and stronger Communists.
Since June, the Socialists have sharply increased collaboration with the
Communists by forming governments with them in most major Italian cities, 5 of
the 20 regions, and about a third of the 94 provinces, and they have refused to form
another national coalition with the Christian Democrats without a formal procedure
for considering Communist views on policy options.
Most Socialists are convinced that they suffered in the last election as a result
of cooperation with the government and believe they cannot compete with the
Communists for voter support unless the Communists' opposition status is diluted.
Emphasis at the leadership meeting was on establishing an "autonomous" line of
action to set the Socialists apart from both the Communists and the Christian
Democrats-no small task.
Approved For Release 2007/03/14 :131A-RDP79T00975A028100010043-2
 Approved For Release
National Intelligence Bulletin September 26, 1975
Communist chief Berlinguer is staying out of the Socialist - Christian Democrat
dispute over his party's relationship with the next national government.
Nevertheless, the Socialists are concerned over his insistence that Communist
strategy at the national level has not changed. Berlinguer is still aiming for an
eventual "historic compromise" agreement with the Christian Democrats which, if
accomplished, would make Socialist support superfluous.
The Communists are not overly jubilant themselves, however, and are being
cautious in those localities where they now hold power for the first time. They fear
that public reaction to their initiatives could send protest voters back to the
Christian Democrats or to the far right in the next election.
Approved For Release 2007/03/1414CIA-RDP79T00975A028100010043-2
25X1
25X1
25X1
 25X1 Approved For Release 2007/03/14: CIA-RDP79T00975AO28100010043-2
Approved For Release 2007/03/14: CIA-RDP79T00975AO28100010043-2
 Approved For Relea
National Intelligence Bulletin
September 26, 1975
The Rhodesian African National Council-the umbrella organization formed by
four black nationalist groups last December-is scheduled to hold its first national
congress in Salisbury this weekend. The meeting will focus new attention on the
bitter leadership struggle among the nationalists that is the most immediate barrier
to a resumption of settlement talks with Prime Minister Ian Smith.
The congress is a tactical victory for Joshua Nkomo, a former leader of one of
the council's constituent groups, who now apparently controls a majority of the
council's branches inside Rhodesia. Nkomo's expected bid for the chairmanship of
the council may run into trouble, however, and the meeting could end in rioting
between his followers and Salisbury-based adherents of exiled nationalist leaders
who vvant to scrap settlement talks and get foreign backing for a guerrilla offensive.
Two weeks ago Bishop Muzorewa, the figurehead chairman of the council who
has been traveling extensively outside Rhodesia, expelled Nkomo for engineering the
call for the congress over Muzorewa's objections. Although Muzorewa has advocated
a negotiated settlement with Smith, his breach with Nkomo has sealed his
dependence on Ndabaningi Sithole and other militant exiles.
Shortly after Muzorewa expelled Nkomo, Zambian President Kaunda and the
presidents of Tanzania, Mozambique, and Botswana met with the Rhodesian
nationalists in Lusaka but failed to resolve the schism.
It is unlikely, however, that Kaunda will back Nkomo against Muzorewa and
the hard-line insurgents unless he can obtain the concurrence of the other three
presidents who helped him to bring about the unity agreement among the competing
Rhodesian nationalists last December. President Khama of Botswana may be ready
to accept Nkomo's leadership of the council, but it is doubtful that either President
Machel of Mozambique or Tanzanian President Nyerere would go along.
Approved For Release 2007/03/146 CIA-RDP79T00975AO28100010043-2
 Approved For Releas
2007/03/14: CIA-RDP79T0
National Intelligence Bulletin September 26, 1975
Even Kaunda will find it politically difficult to back Nkomo unless the
proceedings of the national congress include orderly elections and unless Nkomo
gains some support in addition to the membership of his own faction. Nkomo's
opponents have accused him of "selling out" to Ian Smith, and if he emerges as head
of the council, he will be under heavy pressure to insist on a rapid transition to
Prime Minister Trygve Bratteli announced yesterday that he will resign in early
January. The statement was carefully planned to avoid disrupting the country's
affairs.
In declining health for several years, Bratteli stepped down as chairman of the
ruling Labor Party last April and announced his intention to give up the prime
ministership at an unspecified time. According to a party official, Bratteli wants to
stay on until parliament completes its review of the budget, which will probably be
just before the Christmas recess.
The party decided last spring that Odvar Nordli, its parliamentary leader, would
succeed to the prime minister's chair. Nordli is considered friendly to the US and a
strong proponent of NATO; he will be 48 in November. He was a vociferous, if
unsuccessful, advocate of Norwegian membership in the European Community.
Nordli is not expected to promote major new foreign or domestic policies.
Nordli's cabinet will have several new faces. At least three incumbent ministers
have decided to take Bratteli's resignation as an opportunity to leave.
Nordli, together with party chairman Reiulf Steen, will have ample time to
prepare the party for the national elections in September 1977. In local elections
this month, the Labor Party increased its share of the vote over the last national
election but lost control in Oslo and several other traditional urban strongholds.
Approved For Release 2007/03/14 : t7IA-RDP79T00975A028100010043-2
 Approved For Release
Bolivia's Proposed Outlet to the Sea
l 2 71
0
21 1----
0
L-r
50
100 Miles
-J
71
0, 25X1
Approved For Release 2007/03/14: CIA-RDP79T00975AO28100010043-2
 Approved For Release'
National Intelligence Bulletin September 26, 1975
President Hugo Banzer is increasing diplomatic pressure on Chile in hopes of
gaining Bolivia's long-sought goal of access to the Pacific.
Since diplomatic relations between Chile and Bolivia were reestablished in
February 1975-after a 13-year break-Banzer has been pushing for a negotiated
settlement. Responding to growing domestic pressure to make Bolivia's position
public, Banzer recently outlined his nation's plans in an interview in a Chilean
magazine.
Chile does not favor the option of ceding territory, but it evidently wants the
issue resolved soon. For now, President Pinochet could probably arrange a lease of
the railroad and oil pipeline to Bolivia without major opposition from Chilean
nationalists or from neighboring Peru. In subsequent negotiations, Chile might be
willing to consider a long-term lease of territory.
Under the terms of the 1929 treaty between Peru and Chile that settled the
War of the Pacific (1879-83), each country must have the approval of the other in
order to cede any of the territory that changed hands. Peru would insist on a role in
any negotiations between Chile and Bolivia.
Although earlier reporting indicated that Peruvian President Morales Bermudez
is more amenable than former President Velasco to a negotiated settlement of the
tripartite territorial dispute, it is highly unlikely that he would acquiesce in an
outright cession of former Peruvian territory. At the same time, both Pinochet and
Morales Bermudez would probably prefer not to undercut Banzer's initiative since it
is likely that both view it in their interest to sustain him in power.
Approved For Release 2007/03/14 1 &A-RDP79TO0975A028100010043-2
 Approved For Release
National Intelligence Bulletin September 26, 1975
The US embassy in Dacca reports that after almost six weeks in power, the new
government in Bangladesh has done little to distinguish itself from the ousted regime
of the late president Mujib. The new leaders have reaffirmed the four basic principles
of Bangladesh's constitution-nationalism, secularism, socialism, and democracy-
but have made virtually no other major policy announcements.
Domestically, President Mushtaque's regime has imposed security measures that
appear almost as authoritarian as those of its predecessor. The country's ills have
been blamed on Mujib's abuses of power, but no sweeping changes in his policies
have been instituted. The few economic moves made by the new leaders have been
politically motivated, and some have been in line with pre-coup policies.
In foreign affairs, the embassy sees the improved prospect for ties with Pakistan
and China as a reaffirmation of Mujib's policy of friendship with all. Mujib himself
had sought, albeit unsuccessfully, to improve relations with Pakistan and China to
balance the influence in Bangladesh of India and the Soviet Union. The new
government does not want its ties to Islamabad and Peking to grow to the extent
that they sour Bangladesh's good relations with India and the Soviet Union, and it
has made efforts to reassure these countries.
The government's slow pace may be a result of its preoccupation with political
concerns, such as sorting out leadership roles among civilian and military figures in
the hierarchy and protecting itself against security threats. The post-coup leadership
struggle between the majors who led the coup and some senior officers has subsided,
but the younger officers have still not returned to their units. They are advising
Mushtaque and in one case are reported to have overridden his decision. Mushtaque
is aware of his uncertain position with the military and is paying careful attention to
their concerns.
Internal security seems to be the government's biggest concern. In addition to
imposing tough martial law regulations, the government has rounded up some
associates of Mujib, suspended political activity, launched a nationwide campaign to
confiscate illegally held arms, and absorbed into the army the Rakkhi Bahini, a
paramilitary group set up by Mujib and believed loyal to him. The government's
fears may have been compounded by persistent rumors that some of Mujib's
supporters are seeking revenge for the coup.
The embassy points out that most Bengalees accept that the government must
set its house in order. They appear willing to acquiesce in the temporary suspension
of rights and political activity for the time being.
Approved For Release 2007/03/1420CIA-RDP79T00975A028100010043-2
 Approved For Releasel 2007/0-3/1 A - - 0975A028100010043-2
National Intelligence Bulletin
September 26, 1975
We believe disenchantment is inevitable before long. Any government would
find it difficult to consolidate its control over politically and economically troubled
Bangladesh. The Mushtaque regime, with its internal divisions and little of the
massive popular appeal enjoyed by Mujib in his early days, will have an especially
difficult time.
Approved For Release 2007/03/14 :2d:IA-RDP79T00975A028100010043-2
25X1
 Top morel For Release 2007/03/14: CIA-RDP79T00975AO28100010043-2
1 -1
Top Secret
Approved For Release 2007/03/14: CIA-RDP79T00975AO28100010043-2