DISCONTENT AMONG MASSES/EVASION OF LAW/ATTITUDE TOWARD N.A.T.O., BENELUX, REARMAMENT/TRADE WITH SOVIETS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP83-00423R001100880001-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: November 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 19, 1999
• Sequence Number: 1
• Content Type: REPORT

;;;Al?PCP!Pd For Release
COUNTRY: Belgium
S '.URN 'V LkWa u "" d
3R001100880001-2
SUBJECT: Discontent Among Masses/Evasion of Law/Attitude Toward N.A.T.O.,
Benelux Re=armament/Trd ith
e
S
w
oviets
25X1 X6 PLACE ACQUIRED:
DATE ACQUIRED
DATE OF INFO
25X1X6
SOURCE:
v
1. The mass of Belgian people are unhappy over current political and economic
developments; They feel they have been let down by all the parties and
campaign promises forgotten. They are convinced that politicians are not
interested in the welfare of the country and seek office only for the
privileges they can gain. Consequently, they feel they are being exploited.
2. Being individualists and selfish, they seek to gain some satisfaction by
avoiding compliance with laws and wi;l expend effort in evading a law to
which they voice no objection. If directed to do something, they endeavor
to find another way (If accomplishing the same end. If directed not to do
something, they seekibmeans of doing it covertly.
3. The old practice of tax evasion has been intensified. Sales of items of
considerable value are generally invoiced at a reduced figure and the
balance, paid in cash, hoarded in the individual's safe. Thus a car which
sells for 100,000 francs will be invoiced at 70,000 francs and the balance
held. in cash. Tax advisors are generally ex-government tax department
employees who seem to accept their purpose as aiding in tax evasion.
4. Government and military people like N.A.T.O. as a security measure and the
fact it gives them advantage of U.S. arms development. The masses feel
that despite all preparations the Soviets will over-run the country when-
ever they decide to and the U.S. will then free them. They like U.S. help,
but :resent any pressure to influence their course of action.
5. Rearmament is unpopular and army service avoided if possible.
6. The Benelux union is unpopular as they feel they make all the sacrifices
and the Netherlands gets all the advantages. They dislike to admit they
do not like to compete with the harder working, more poorly paid Dutch
25X1 X6 labor.
rn7. There is no important volume of Soviet goods sold in Belgium, although I
...n do not believe there would be any reluctance in handling any trade that
promised a profit. The only Soviet goods are Moskovich cars which
=0 are used only becnasP of +1o
0C11Li z or rr. 53, g00
as compared with fr. 58,900 for a Volkswagen; fr. 76,500 for an Opal; and
fr. 129,500 for a Chevrolet.
E2 Approved For Release 1 gi"_ D,P83-00423 R001100880001-2
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The quality is very poor. Door handles can be twisted off and the
hood must be raised gently lest it be bent. The paint looks like it
has been applied with a brush and mechanical parts are roughly finished.
no inquiries for tires that specify curtain areas as the destination.
frequent inquiries for truck tires, usually all of one size,
ithin the
825-20, in lots of 5,000 to 10,000 for delivery some where w
country of origin of the inquiry.
In late August, received an order for
coat lining cloth amounting to two million francs for shipment to the 25X1X6
U.S.S.R. The order had been passed to him by the Belgian Government.
Animosity toward Germans has been forgotten. German salesmen are every-
where and their wares, especially radio and television sets, are popular.
Approved For Release 1999
00423 R001100880001-2