Week of March 8, 1959
A revolt by brigades of the Iraqi Army against the pro-Communist regime of Maj.
Kassem are in progress. Later, Baghdad reports the rebels have been crushed.
Soviet
Premier Khrushchev
insists that Russian troops
would have to be part of any token military force kept in
West Berlin. Meantime, President Eisenhower tells
Congress he needs no additional money for missiles or
conventional warfare forces to deal with it.
The House votes 323 to 89 to make Hawaii the 50
th
state. All is needed is President Eisenhower’s signature.
Cuba - A law ordering the confiscation of property of
officials and legislators of the Batista regime is
expanded by President Manual Urrutia Lleo and the
Cabinet. The law now covers the property of members of
an advisory counsel set up by former President Batista shortly after he seized
control in March, 1952. Also approved, a law ordering that gasoline sold in Cuba
be mixed with domestic-made alcohol. Gambling taxes will be $5,000 a month for
the first seven gaming tables that a casino operates, $1000 for the eighth table
and $500 for each additional table, provided the casino is open only from 8pm to
6am. Additional taxes will be levied for other hours.
President Eisenhower will report directly to the American people on the Berlin
situation and U.S. military strength in a nationwide radio-television talk next
week.
President Nasser tells an anti-Communist rally the reds are converting Iraq into a
base for operations in the Arab world. He accuses Iraqi Premier Abdel Karlm
Kassem of being a willing accomplice of Arab Communists.
Earlier, he declared open war on the Communists and Iraqi
Premier Kassem for control of the Middle East.
Gallup Poll -
President Eisenhower has a 59% approval rating.
For the third time - the Harvard Lampoon votes
Kirk
Douglas
the “worst actor of the year.” The title went to
Douglas for his performance in “The Vikings.” Douglas
telegraphed from Universal City saying, “Delighted to get
award. Please send trophy prepaid.”
