STRATEGIC HAMLET SITUATION IN CENTRAL VIETNAM

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 02963871
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2022
• Document Release Date: January 18, 2017
• Case Number: F-2015-01452
• Publication Date: October 5, 1962

Approved for Release: 2016/12/20 CO2963871
TELEGRAM
IN-FORMATION REPtoRT
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY/
7,4
This material contains information affecting the National Defense of the United States with,n the mea g of the Esp,onage
793 and 794, the transmission or revelation of which in any manner to an unauthorized person is prohibited by law
icIVWS, %VIE' U.S_,C.---Ssaca,
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1
COUNTRY SOUTH VIETNAM
SUBJECT STRATEGIC HAMLET SITUATION
IN CENTRAL VIETNAM
DATE OF
INFO.
PLACE &
DATE ACQ.
APPRAISAL
VIETNAM, SAIGON (4 SEPTEMEER 1962)
3
REPORT NO.
DATE DISTR.
PRECEDENCE
REFERENCES
5 OCTOBER 1962
ROUTINE
IN
(b)(3)
(b)(3)
(b)(3)_
THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATION. SOURCE GRADINGS ARE DEFINITIVE. APPRAISAL OF CONTENT IS TENTATIVE.
(b)(1)
(b)(3)
1. HOANG DINH GIANG, KBANH HOA DEPUTY CHIEF OF PROVINCE FOR ADMINISTRATION
SAID IN EARLY SEPTEMBER 1962 THAT MOST OF THE PROVINCES HAVE PLACE THE ENTIRE
RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE STRATFIGIC HAMLET PROGRAM (sup) ON THE INDIVIDUAL DISTRICT
CHIEFS, FEW OF WHOM ARE EQUIPPED TO COPE WITH IT. IN TURN, THE DISTRICT CHIEFS
DEPEND ON THE LOCAL POPULATION TO FINANCE THE PROGRAM, INCLUDING THE PROVISION
OF FOOD AND LODGINGS FOR THE CIVIC ACTION TEAMS AND SELF-DEIIENSE CORPS MEMBERS
CHARGED WITH SUP RESPONSIBILITIES. AFTER PAYING THE COST, THERE IS USUALLY VERY
LITTLE LEFT OVER FOR TBE OTHER ASPECTS OF THE PROGRAM. THE VILLAGERS, MOREOVER,
BECOME IRRITATED AT KWING FORCED TO CONTRIBUTE TO SOMETHING THAT PRODUCES NO
TANGIBLE RESULTS. HOWEVER, IT HAS NOT BEEN DIFFICULT TO PREVENT THE GOVERNMENT
FROM FINDING OUT THE TRUE SITUATION. PROVINCIAL OFFICIALS AND OTHERS CONCERNED
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INFORMATION REPORT
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OBSOLETE PREVIOTTc vs-writ-me.
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CLASSIFICATION - DISSEMINATION CONTROLS
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PAGE TWO
WITH THE SHP SYMPATHIZE WITH ONE ANOTHER AND CAN BE COUNTED ON NOT TO REVEAL
THE TRUE SITUATION. FURTHERMORE, VISITORS DO NOT RELISH THE PROSPECT OF
TRAVELING GREAT DISTANCES FROM THE PROVINCIAL CENTERS AND THEREFORE, CAN BE
GUIDED TO ONLY THOSE AREAS WHICH THE LOCAL OFFICIALS WISH THEM TO S.
2. pRoviNcIAL OFFICIALS OF CENTRAL VIETNAM CLAIM THAT MOST VILLAGES
ARE TOO POOR TO PROVIDE MORE FUNDS FOR THE Sill', BUT THE OFFICIALS CONTINUE TO
COOPERATE WITH THE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS DIRECTLY CONCERNED WITH THE PROGRAM.
JUEY SUBMIT pERIODIC PROGRESS REPORTS AND ATTEND SHP OR RELATED TRAINING COURSES
AS DIRECTED. THE REPORTS SHOW THAT OVER 250 STRATEGIC HAMLETS HAVE BEEN
COMPLETED, WHEREAS ONLY FOUR ACTUALLY EXIST, AND ONLY ONE OF THE FOUR MEETS
MOST OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A STRATEGIC HAMLET. THE FOUR HAMLETS ARE LOCAIKD
IN TERRITORY CONTROLLED BY TBE GOVERNMENT. MOST OF THE HAMLETS LISTED AS
COMPLETED MEET ONLY ONE OR MORE OF THE VERY BASIC REQUIREMENTS, SUCH AS HAVING
A FENCE ROUND THE HAMLET. WITH THE ADVENT OF THE POPULAR FORCES PROGRAM,
LITTLE NOTICE IS BEING PAID TO THE SHP.
3. FIELD DISSEM. STATE ARMY NAVY AIR USMACV MAAG AID 9TH FIELD
STATION CINCPAC ARPAC PACAF PACFLT.
END OF MESSAGE
CLASSIFICATION - DISSEMINATION CONTROLS
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Approved for Release: 2016/12/20 CO2963871