CEMA AND THE DANUBE

Created: 9/5/1956

OCR scan of the original document, errors are possible

CSM No. No.

6

CURRENT SUPPORT MEMORANDUM

CEMA AND THE DANO BE

OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND REPORTS

CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY

This report ropresgohmmediate vi< origtrrtrtinaiRtemgence comperienb^nf'nSe Office ol Reseefeh and Reports. are solicited.

CIA HISTORICAL REVIEW PROGRAM RELEASE AS8

Thla document contebts^nlormetion effecting (be national dgkmam) of the United SuUe^wlthln the meenlng of the eaptonsfi^ntwT TlUe 18 . thef vhlch n any""manner to enadnts prohibited by law

ong tine planners of the nations traversed or bordered by the Danube have been interested in the economic benefits which might be derived from its development for navigation, irrigation, and production of hydroelectric power.1/ However, the complexcharacter of the Danube and the magnitude of the investments Involved have prevented any significant accomplishments.

There is recent evidence of revived interest, occasioned by the more friendly relations between Yugoslavia and its Soviet Blocas well as the fact that the Council for Mutual Economic(CEMA) is considering the matter.2/ At the Berlin CEMAorking program was cTiscussed and adopted "tolan for the all-round use of the water resources of thelajko Begovich (Director of the Yugoslav Institute for International Politics fcn observer at the CEMA meeting stated that "plans in process of formulation which will takeears to complete, for comprehensive exploitation of Danube power potentialalculated to yieldillion kwh from total projects. Theof West Germany and Austria will be essential to complete realization of this plan." The magnitude of the plan is shown by the fact thatillion kwh is about half of the total electric power produced by West Germany

Detailed plans for the comprehensive exploitation of tbe Danube are not known, but it seems certain that they will Include theof the "Ironocated between Yugoslavia and Rumania, near Turnu Severln. Thisarticularly favorable site for aplant since the Danube flowsorge in this sector and thereapid drop in water level. In addition,navigational benefits would result. This project has been under consideration for many years and there now seems to bethat lt wouldeality.5/

There are many indications that the development of the Danube would result in material economic benefit to all of the Eastern European Satellites as well as Yugoslavia, Austria, and West Germany.entral body of plan coordination for the Eastern European Satellites, CEMA seems to be the most promising vehicle for such development, although there is some question as to the'role that Austria and West Germany would play in any such scheme.

SECRET

Arny, intelligence, "The Danubeta Strategic and Kconomic Importance to the Soviet

3CS,,

FBIS, Dally Report, Eastern8

"Economic Aid Council Meets inFF USE State, Moscow8FT USE

FBIS, Dally Report, EasternJoint Power station will beFF USE

State, Belgrade,

Ibid

STaTe, Prague,ointec II,Danube

ino-Sovlet Bloc Economic Activities in

Underdevelopedfa "Yugoslavia Plans Joint Danube Power Project with

6 svPPORT ffiKOHANDrais

Original document.

---

---