COMMUNIST GAINS IN SYRIA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80R01443R000300190005-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: November 17, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 17, 1998
• Sequence Number: 5
• Publication Date: January 4, 1955
• Content Type: BRIEF

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COMMUNIST G5 IN SYRIA
Past year in Syria has seen significant
25X1 C8b
Communist gains, although threat of force-
ful takeover is remote.
A. call Syria
"most worrisome spot in confused
Middle East."
B. Communists have exploited political
instability following overthrow of
Dictator Shishakli a year ago (he
reported skirt-chasing in Paris).
II. They number some 10,000 out of 3 1/2
million population--are infiltrating govern-
ment, army, press and labor. Are on way
to acquiring position of public respect-
ability unique for an Arab state.
A. Moscow-trained party leader, Khalid
Bakdash (who considered ablest Arab
Communist) has won seat in parliament,
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friend of Bakdash.
C. Boss of army's cultural affairs pro-
gram--a Communist--is feeding propa-
ganda to army.
D. Among nine directors of major labor
federation are 2 Communists,
1 sympathizer.
E. One-third of Syrian political press
(total 38 dailies and weeklies)
reportedly subsidized by Communists;
another third follows line.
III. Communists collaborating with extremists
of left and right, also with opportunistic
independents.. Aim: downfall of Premier
Khouri's ineffectual coalition government.
A. 80-year-old Khouri wants to leave
office by March '55 at latest.
1. Center parties impotent to produce
better government.
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2. Thus, next-regime could well be
pro-leftist, with Communists able
exercise increased influence.
B. Alternate possibility is rightist mili-
tary coup, as in recent past--though
army badly split.
1. Such development probably only
major block to present trend.
2. However, military dictatorship
presents own host of problems.
Recent report of Soviet intent to stimulate
Kurdish nationalism in Syria and Iraq appea
n
unrelated to Communist planning in Syria.
A.. Party leader Bakdash & Kurd himself,
but plays down fact to enhance his
appeal to nationalistic Syrians.
B. Syrian Kurds less easily stirred than
fellow tribesmen on Iraq-Iran-Turkey
border.
C. Use of Kurds more probably aimed atmak-
ing trouble for "Northern Tier" pair--
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