Minutes of the Twenty-sixth Meeting of the Committee (Deputy Directors) Held in Conference Room "G", at the Ministry of Defence, S.W.I, on Wednesday, 8th March, 1950, at 11.00 a.m.

Premium

20.500.12592/b13f1p

Minutes of the Twenty-sixth Meeting of the Committee (Deputy Directors) Held in Conference Room "G", at the Ministry of Defence, S.W.I, on Wednesday, 8th March, 1950, at 11.00 a.m.

3. REVIEW OF THE SITUATION IN ASIA SECRET (Previous Reference: J.I.C. (50) 22nd Meeting, Minute 2) THE COMMITTEE had a general discussion reviewing the state of work on Asia in order to determine in the light of recent developments whether any changes or further reports were required: and had before them a minute+ by the Secretary listing reports which had been prepared since September 1949 or were now in hand by the Committee and by the Joint Intelligence Committee, Far East. MR. BRAIN recalled that at their previous meeting it had been suggested that a review of the Committee's requirements for reports dealing with Asia might be considered under four headings covering the long and short term aspects, periodic reviews, and miscellaneous matters respectively. Since this suggestion had been made, the Committee had begun the preparation of reports on the threat to Indo-China≠ and on the implications of Tibet coming under control of the Chinese CommunistsØ. Also, an invitation≠ had been sent to the Joint Intelligence Committee, Far East, asking them to prepare a report on the relationship between the Malayan and Chinese Communist Parties. From the Foreign Office point of view, one of the most important problems relating to developments in Asia was the relationship between the Chinese Communist Party and local Communist Parties in the various countries in the area and the Chinese Communist Party's connections with Chinese populations outside China. It was for consideration, therefore, whether the terms of reference issued to the Joint Intelligence Committee, Far East, should now be widened to cover other countries in their area such as Burma and French Indo-China, where the relationship between local Communist organisations and the Chinese Communist Party was obscure. agreed that the question of the relationship existing between the Chinese Communist Party and indigenous Communist Parties in countries in the area was important, and his Department felt that in particular the situation in regard to Burma should be examined. It might be possible, therefore, for the Joint Intelligence Committee, Far East, to prepare a general review on the subject of these relations with detailed Appendices relating to specific countries such as Malaya, Burma, and French Indo-China. LIEUTENANT-COLONEL BUTLER said that the War Office would like consideration to be given to the following points:- (a) They suggested that a report should be prepared on the implications of war between India and Pakistan. There were indications that, in such an eventuality, Afghanistan might contemplate invading Pakistan and if this happened Pakistan might ask us for assistance. (b) A report might also be prepared on the intelligence implications in regard to the choice of timing of withdrawal of British troops from Hong Kong. + J.I.C./339/50. ≠ J.I.C. (50) 26 (Terms of Reference). Ø J.I.C. (50) 22 (Terms of Reference). ≠ DEF 184. -2- THIS IS A COPY. THE ORIGINAL IS RETAINED UNDER SECTION 3 (4) OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS ACT
Collection ID
CAB159
Conflict
Cold War
Document Reference
CAB 159/7/28
File Reference
CAB 159/0007
Identifier
10.1080/swwf.cab159.0007.028
Keywords
Hong Kong Chinese Civil War Colonies Empire Imperial Defence Military Intelligence Predicting Enemy Intentions Assessing Enemy Strength Invasion Threat Defence Contingency Planning Intelligence Reports Communism Intelligence Requirements Intelligence Services Responsibilities Communications Political Dissent Political Intelligence Ideology Geographic Intelligence Former Colonies Psychology Scientific Research Intelligence Channels Intelligence Distribution Military Strength Rearmament Occupied Germany German Army Manpower Photographic Reconnaissance Aerial Reconnaissance Reconnaissance Aircraft Mapping Topographical Intelligence Interrogation Refugees Intelligence Gathering Border Controls Press Reports Public Statements Immigration Defectors Deserters Propaganda Recruitment Subversion
Note
Sections of this document have been retained under Section 3(4) of the Public Records Act, 1958.
Pages
10
Published in
United Kingdom
Series
Ministry of Defence and Cabinet Office: Central Intelligence Machinery: Joint Intelligence Sub-Committee Later Committee: Minutes (JIC Series). Joint Intelligence Sub-Committee. Meetings 1 (0)-60 (0)
Themes
Foreign Policy and International Relations Intelligence Gathering and Surveillance Military Intelligence and Operations