GOVERNMENT OF VIETNAM EFFORTS TO RECOVER FROM THE VIET CONG TET OFFENSIVE

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Tet Declassified
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06787097
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: April 27, 2019
• Document Release Date: April 30, 2019
• Publication Date: February 21, 1968

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CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Intelligence Information Cable
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STATE/INR DIA NMCC/14C t(:0911 JCS Anktv NAVY AIR) CIA/NMCc NIC NSA 13130.---151:-4ff Frjfij
Thia material
Seca. 793 and
THIS
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'on affecting the National Defense of ths United States within the meaning of the Zspionaffe Laws, Title 18, U.S.C.
'St or revelation of which in any manner te an unauthorised person le prohibited by law.
2,CON.RDENT1A-1::
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COUNTRY SOUTH VIETNAM
DOI
SUBJECT
ACQ
SOURCE
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'
CITE
DMT 21 FEBRUARY 1968
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GOVERNMENT OF VIETNAM EFFORTS TO RECOVER FROM THE
VIET CONG TET OFFENSIVE
VIETNAM, SAIGON
3.5(c)
3.5(c)
3.3(h)(2)
.3(h)(2)
SUMMARY. BY 13 FEBRUARY 1968 THE GOVERNMENT OF VIETNAM (GVN),
ACTING UNDER THE GENERAL DIRECTION OF THE CENTRAL ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
(PROJECT RECOVERY), HAD ESTABLISHED 125 REFUGEE CENTERS IN SAIGON AND
WAS DISTRIBUTING FIVL-DAY SUPPLIES OF FOOD TO FAMILIES. A BLOOD DONOR
PLAN HAD BEEN STARTED, THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW APARTMENTS WAS UNDER
CONSIDERATION, COASTAL SHIPPING TO DANANG, NHATRANG, AND CAN THO HAD
BEEN RESTORED, FOOD STOCKS FOR I, II, AND III CORPS WERE BEING INVEN-
TORIED, A PLAN HAD BEEN DEVELOPED TO FORM SELF-DEFENSE UNITS, THE POST
5 OFFICE HAD BEEN REOPENED, AND RAILROAD REPAIR SHOPS WERE IN OPERATION. 5
4 4
3 AT LEAST 37 PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS WERE ASSISTING RECOVERY. TWENTY-FIVE 3
2 2
1 NuipApp_kEVOT.MTONARY DEVELOPMENT CADRE (RDC) WERE SELLING RICE, 1
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HELPING REFUGEES, DISTRIBUTING SUPPLIES, GIVING FIRST AID, AND INFORMING
ON SUSPECTED VIET CONG (VC). POPULAR REACTION TO THE PRESENCE OF THE
RDC IN SAIGON WAS FAVORABLE. THERE WAS DISAGREEMENT AMONG RECOVERY
PERSONNEL AT BOTH CABINET AND WORKING LEVELS, HOWEVER. RDC TEAMS FACED
RED TAPE. VICE PRESIDENT KY AND POLICE DIRECTOR LOAN WERE AGAINST
PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS HELPING. LOWER HOUSE DEPUTY MINH THOUGHT THE
CENTRAL COMMITTEE WAS NOT GIVING ADEQUATE ATTENTION TO LONG RANGE NEEDS.
YOUTh GROUPS WERE OFFENDED BY NGUYEN BAO TRI'S METHODS. ALL IN ALL,
HOWEVER, THE COMMITTEE WAS DOING A CREDITABLE JOB. SOME PEOPLE WERE
PROBABLY OFFENDED AND OTHERS IGNORED WHO SHOULD'HAVE BEEN INCLUDED, BUT
THE COMMITTEE WAS NOT AS BAD AS ITS DETRACTORS CLAIMED NOR AS GOOD AS
ITS PROMOTERS CLAIMED. VICE PRESIDENT KY DID WELL AND SO, UNDER THE
CIRCUMSTANCES, DID THE MINISTER OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND REFUGEES. THE
PROBLEM WITH THE YOUTH GROUPS REFLECTED ON MINISTER TRI. THE MINISTER
OF HEALTH PERFORMED WELL. THE COMMITTEE CLEARLY PROVIDED A STIMULUS
TO GVN QUICK RESPONSE, A SENSE OF DRAMA WAS DERIVED FROM THE EFFORTS,
AND SEVERAL POLITICAL FORTUNES WOULD BE AFFECTED. END SUMMARY.
1. ON 3 FEBRUARY 1968 THE GOVERNMENT OF VIETNAM (GVN) ESTABLISHED
A CENTRAL COMMITTEE FOR RELIEF TO THE PEOPLE UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF
15 VICE PRESIDENT NGUYEN CAO.. KY WITH GENERAL NGUYEN DUC THANG AS CHIEF 5
14 4
!3 OF STAFF. THE COMMITTEE WAS SET UP TO COORDINATE THE WORK OF ALL 3
2 2
'1rryTT. AND mILTTARY AGENCIES FOR THE PURPOSE OF RESTORING ORDER AND 1
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3.5(c)
SECURITY, RESTORING THE SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM, ASSISTING THE
VICTIMS OF THE VIET CONG (VC) ATTACK, AND HELPING PEOPLE TO ORGANIZE
FOR SELF DEFENSE. COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP INCLUDES THE PRIME MINISTER,
THE MINISTER IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE, THE MINISTERS OF DEFENSE,
INTERIOR, REVOLUTIONARY DEVELOPMENT, SOCIAL WELFARE AND REFUGEES,
ECONOMICS, PUBLIC WORKS AND HEALTH; THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF NATIONAL
POLICE, THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF INFORMATION, AND THE CHIEF OF THE JOINT
GENERAL STAFF. THE TASKS OF THE COMMITTEE COME UNDER SUBCOMMITTELE
FOR REQUIREMENTS (HUANG VAN LAC); RESOURCE AVAILABILITY (TROUNG THAI
TON); ALLOCATIONS; INFORMATION AND PSYCHOLOGICAL OPERATIONS (NGUYEN
NGOC LINH); AND POPULAR PARTICIPATION (KHU DUC HUNG). AT THE PROVINCE
LEVEL, SIMILAR COORDINATING BODIES ARE BEING ESTABLISHED. THE MINISTERS
MEET DAILY WITH VICE PRESIDENT KY AT 0900 FOR INSTRUCTIONS AND THEIR
REPRESENTATIVES MEET DAILY AT 1700 WITH GENERAL THANG TO REPORT PROGRESS.
2. BY 13 FEBRUARY THERE WERE 125 REFUGEE CENTERS IN OPERATION IN
SAIGON. THE IDENTIFICATION OF FOOD STOCKS AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MORE
REFUGEE CENTERS AND MOBILE SALES UNITS WAS CONTINUING. ENOUGH RICE AND
PORK WAS BEING SOLD TO PROVIDE RECIPIENT FAMILIES WITH SUFFICIENT SUPPLIE.5.
FOR FIVE DAYS. THE CURFEW HOURS WERE BEING SHORTENED IN DISTRICTS ONE,
5' TWO; AND FOUR OF SAIGON WITH MINIMUM RESTRICTIONS BEING APPLIED. 5
4 4
3 SECTIONS OF DISTRICTS THREE AND FIVE HAD ALSO BEEN OPENED UP. A BLOOD 3
2 2
1..
nrWATTnV "n(--P"1 HAD BEEN STARTED BY THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND USAID I
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HAD INVENTORIED REQUIREMENTS AND CABLED NEEDS TO FREE WORLD CAPITALS.
THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS WAS PREPARING A PLAN F)R THE CONSTRUCTION
OF 10,000 MULTI-STORY APARTMENT UNITS AT A COST OF TWO BILLION PIASTRES
USING LOCAL CONTRACTORS AND MATERIALS. THE VIETNAMESE COASTAL FLEET
WAS BACK IN OPERATION AND WAS TO BE USED TO SUPPLY DANANG, NHATRANG,
AND CAN THO. INVENTORIES OF FOOD STOCKS HAD BEEN MADE IN CORPS I, II,
AND III. SUFFICIENT STOCKS WERE ON HAND. THE MINISTER OF INTERIOR HAD
DEVELOPED A PLAN TO SET UP SELF-DEFENSE UNITS WITHIN SUCH SOCIO-POLITICAL
STRUCTURES AS CITY WARDS, VILLLAGE COMMUNITIES, AND EMPLOYEE GROUPS. THE
DIRECTOR GENERAL FOR INFORMATION AND PRESS WAS PLANNING TO PUT OUT A
NEWSLETTER FOR SAIGON REFUGEES, THE MAIN POST AND TELEGRAPHIC OFFICE HAD
BEEN REOPENED, AND RAILROAD WORKSHOPS WERE BACK IN OPERATION AND REPORT-
ING LITTLE OR NO DAMAGE.
3. THERE WERE 37 PRIVATE VIETNAMESE ORGANIZATIONS WORKING WITH THE
MINISTER OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND REFUGEES INCLUDING CATHOLIC AND BUDDHIST
WELFARE ORGANIZATIONS, THE VIETNAMESE WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION, THE VIETNAMESE
CONFEDERATION OF LABOR, MERCHANTS ASSOCIATIONS, AND STUDENT AND YOUTH
GROUPS. THE ACTUAL NUMBER OF PRIVATE GROUPS WAS LARGER THAN 37, BUT MANY
HAD FORMED JOINT ORGANIZATIONS. DESPITE A SLOW START CAUSED BY TARDINESS
5 ON THE PART OF GVN DISTRICT OFFICIALS, THE 2,500 REVOLUTIONARY DEVELOP-5
4 4
3 MENT CADRE (RDC) WERE ENGAGED IN MANNING RICE SALES UNITS, WORKING IN 3
2 2
1 RRFUGEE CRNTRRS DISTRIBUTING RELIEF SUPPLIES, GIVING SIMPLE FIRST AID,1
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3.5(c)
PROCESSING REFUGEES AND HELPING THEM FILL OUT OFFICIAL FORMS, AND TURN-
ING IN SUSPECTED VC. THE PEOPLE HAD RECEIVED THE RDC WELL. MANY
RESIDENTS OF SAIGON WERE SEEING THE RDC FOR THE FIRST TIME AND WERE
IMPItESSED WITH WHAT THEY SAW, PARTICULARLY THE HONESTY AND MOTIVATION
OF THE GROUP. THE PEOPLE BUYING RICE AT SOME CENTERS WERE BEGINNING
TO IDENTIFY VC SUSPECTS TO THE RDC AND AS A RESULT ARRESTS WERE BEING
MADE. RDC SONGS WERE HEARD FROM BUSES CARRYING RDC AROUND TOWN AND
THE SOUND WAS IMPRESSIVE.
4. THE PICTURE OF ACTIVITY, COORDINATION, AND EFFECTIVENESS WAS
MARRED, HOWEVER, BY INTERNAL SQUABBLING AMONG THE MINISTERS AND EX-
CESSIVELY BUREAUCRATIC BEHAVIOR BY OFFICIALS ON THE WORKING LEVEL. FOR
EXAMPLE, THE RDC TEAMS WERE OFTEN FRUSTRATED BY THE INABILITY OF THE
DISTRICT OFFICIALS TO CUT THROUGH THE RED TAPE AND GET ON WITH THE JOB.
IN ONE CENTER, ALL OF THE OFFICIALS INSISTED ON SIGNING THEIR NAMES TO
A DOCUMENT BEFORE ONE PEASANT WAS ABLE TO PURCHASE HIS RICE. THERE WAS
A REPORT THAT VICE PRESIDENT KY AND POLICE DIRECTOR LOAN HAD AGREED ON
THE INADVISABILITY OF ACCEPTING OFFERS OF COLLABORATION IN REFUGEE RELIEF
FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR ON THE GROUNDS THAT WITHOUT PRIVATE ASSISTANCE
THE GVN WOULD BE BETTER ABLE TO DO THE JOB. KY AND LOAN WERE ALSO RE-
5 PORTED TO BE FEARFUL OF HAVING "NEUTRALISTS" AMONG THEIR PRIVATE 5
4 4
3 ORGANIZATIONS EXPLOIT THEIR ROLE TO CREATE A GROUNDSWELL IN FAVOR OF 3
2 2
1_ Fun a ry TWV WAR TmMEDIATELY AND FORMING A COALITION GOVERNMENT. HO 1
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VAN MINH, ONE OF TBE TWO LOWER HMI: REPRESENTATIVES ON THE RELIEF
COMMITTEE, BELIEVED THE COMMITTEE SHOULD TIGHTEN UP ITS MODE OF
OPERATION. IT SHOULD NOT, FOR EXAMPLE, WASTE ITS TIME ON PERIPHERAL
ISSUES AND SHOULD CONCENTRATE INSTEAD ON RESTORATION OF SECURITY AND
AID TO VICTIMS. MINH FELT THAT THE COMMITTEE WAS MOVING AHEAD ON
PROJECTS WITHOUT ADEQUATE ATTENTION TO LONGER RANGE NEEDS. MINH FELT
THAT INSTEAD OF MERELY MOVING REFUGEES INTO TEMPORARY RELOCATION
CEI;TERS, THE COMMITTEE SHOULD HAVE GIVEN IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION TO
PERMANENT RELOCATION OF REFUGEES, INCLUDING CONSTRUCTION, AT LOW COST,
OF BASIC HOUSING ON BURNED�OUT SITES -- A PROPOSAL BEING DEVELOPED BY
THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS. THE COMMITTEE ANNOUNCED THAT ANYONE
WISHING TO VOLUNTEER HIS SERVICES SHOULD DO SO DIRECTLY TO THE MINISTER
OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND RELIEF. MANY INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS FOLLOWED THIS
INSTRUCTION BUT SOME, FOR EXAMPLE, THE YOUTH GROUPS, THOUGHT IT WOULD BE
BETTER IF THEY VOLUNTEERED THEIR SERVICES TO THE COMMITTEE THROUGH THF
MINISTRY OF REVOLUTIONARY DEVELOPMENT. TO COPE WITH THE ASSISTANCE BE-
ING OFFERED, MINISTER TRI HELD A MEETING ON THE MORNING OF 9 FEBRUARY
WITH ALL VOLUNTEER GROUPS. HE TOLD THEM HE WANTED YOUTH TO GET INVOLVED
IN GARBAGE COLLECTION, REFUGEE RELIEF, AND WRITING A DECLARATION AGAINST
5 THE VC. HE PROVIDED NO SPECIFIC DIRECTION, BUT RATHER ASKED THE GROUPS5
4 4
3 TO SUBMIT PROJECTS FOR HIS CONSIDERATION. THE GROUPS WERE DISGUSTED 3
2 2
1 WITH THIS mIncRnURE AND CEASED OFFERING THEIR SERVICES TO TRI. IN� 1
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STEAD, MANY GROUPS TURNED BACK TO THE MINISTER OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND
REFUGEES FOR DIRECTION.
5. ON BALANCE, IT MAY BE SAID THAT THE RELIEF COMMITTEE WAS DOING
A CREDITABLE JOB. ALTHOUGH IT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN AN EXAMPLE OF ADVANCED
MANAGERIAL OR POLITICAL SCIENCE IN ACTION, THE COMMITTEE MANAGED TO GET
A PROGRAM MOVING AND TO MOrIVATE THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO WORK WITH, OR AT
LEAST BESIDE IT. SOME PEOPLE WERE PROBABLY ANTAGONIZED IN THE PROCESS
0i, ESTABLISHING THE CW4MITTEE AND ITS PROGRAMS; MANY GOOD PEOP,,E WERE
PROBABLY IGNORED. NEVERTHELESS, THE PROGRAM WAS NOT AS DEFICIENT AS
ITS DETRACTORS INSISTED NOR AS IMPRESSIVE AS ITS ENTHUSIASTS CLAIMED.
VICE PRESIDENT KY WAS DOING A FIRST RATE JOB COVERING ALL BASES AND
INSURING, WITH THE HELP OF NGUYEN NGOC LINH, THAT FULL (SOMETIMES TOO
MUCH) PUBLICITY WAS GIVEN TO THE EFFORT. THE MINISTER OF SOCIAL WELFARE
AND REFUGEES WAS OBVIOUSLY SWAMPED BOTH WITH REFUGEES AND WITH THOSE WHO
WISHED TO HELP; STILL, HE MANAGED TO SET UP MORE CENTERS EACH DAY AND
KEEP THE CENTERS SUPPLIED WITH VITAL MATERIALS. MINISTER.TRI FALTERED
BADLY WITH YOUTH GROUPS AND DID NOT-SEEM TO HAVE RECOVERED. THE ONLY
CONCRETE ACTION REPORTED WAS THE DISPATCH OF HIW OWN CIVIL SERVICE
EMPLOYEES TO THE STREETS To'CLEAN UP THE TRASH, A JOB.THE-YOUTHS WOULD
5 AND COULD HAVE DONE ON A CONTINUING BASIS HAD THEY BEEN GIVEN PROPER 5
4 4
3 DIRECTION. THE MINISTER OF HEALTH WAS PERFORMING WELL. IT WAS TOO 3
2 2
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HIS FUNCTIONS.
6. WHATEVER THE EVENTUAL JUDGEMENT OF THIS COMMITTEE MAY BE, IT
WAS CLEAR THAT ITS FORMATION WAS A STIMULUS TO QUICK REACTION BY THE
GVN, THAT A HEIGHTENED SENSE OF DRAMA WAS DERIVED FROM ITS EFFORTS AND
THAT THE POLITICAL FORTUNES OF SEVERAL LEADING FIGURES WOULD BE AFFECTED
BY ITS OPERATIONS.
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