INTERNAL POLITICS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82-00457R000300100008-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: November 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 16, 1998
• Sequence Number: 8
• Publication Date: January 23, 1947
• Content Type: IR

Approved For Release 1999/09/08: FIA-RDP82- 57ROOi
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[ NINE
CENT PAL IN T ..LI N E GROUP
LN ELL, . CE REPORT
COUNTRY France
SUBJECT Internal Politics
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DATE: 25X1 X6
I WO.
Dl: 23 January 1947
PAGES 2
SUPPLEMENT
The following information amplifies reports received previously
and information now in the press:
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- . , Source reports that the original Socialist maneuver anticipated:
(a) failure of Ram Bier to form a goverment because of
Couniat insistence on obtaining the Ministry of National
Defense, and (b) the return of the Blum government, Contrary
to all expectations, however, Remadier succeeded in persuading
deputies of all parties to accept a Communist as Minister of
National Defense. Acceptance of this was based largely on the
grounds that. Communist power in this post would be strictly
curtailed. Source states that the only resistance to this
program centered in Bidault, Robert Sohuman, and Maurice
Schumann. In view of the acceptance of rightist parties, PRL
and u.DSR, the majority of the MRP were unwilling to refuse to
participate is the government and thus automatically replace the
PILL as opposition party of the extreme right.
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=2,., Power of the Ministry of National. Defense will be curtailed as
follows, source reports. with the consent of all parties
except the CP, the Chief of Goverment will issue a decree
defining distribution of powers and functions of the Minister
of National- Defense and Subministers of Army, Navy, and Ail*:
s, 'Rtat Major General National Defense, to depend directly
on the Chief of Government who by French law is also
Commander-in-Chief of the Army.
b, The Minister of National Defense is to have full Juris-
diction only for ordnance, military justice, and health
services. For all other affairs of National Defense
three subministers for Army, Navy, and Air are to have
sole authority to initiate and sign orders. orders will
be countersigned by the Minister of National Defense.
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cd Subministers of Array, Navy, and Air will be moderates
or rightists. On this basis, source states,
moderates and rightists will be assured that Communist
control and interference will be completely prevented.
3. The following rumors are reported to be current and are said
to be taken seriously in some official French circles:
a. French Freemason elements are propagating the idea that
the United States is favorable to the Ramadier goT7err.-
ment despite the fact that the Communists have obtained
the Ministry of National Defense.
b. Military circles fc.'.r that the United States %,faile adopt-
ing a favorable of laissex-faire attitude toward the
Ramadier government will take occasion, because of the
continuing impotent government in France, to Give support
to the Arab cause in North Africa in order to entrench
United States military interests. Source states that
rumors have reached the French of an important meeting
between British and United States military personnel.
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4.
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from Whom source
obtained his information, is of the opi n on that the
Ramadier government will last since it has the support of
all the political parties.
Approved For Release 1999/09/08 : CIA-RDP82-00457R000300100008-3