THE SITUATION IN VIETNAM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00826A000500010034-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 15
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 13, 2006
• Sequence Number: 34
• Publication Date: March 31, 1966
• Content Type: MEMO

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NT R L 1 N,T,ELL--N,OEN CE. ANC
THE SITUATION' IN VIETNAM
Information as of -1600,:
31 Mareh,1966
ARMY
reu ew (s} completed'.
PREPARED FOR THE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
I
INFORMATION
FURTHER DISSEMINATION, OF,
CONTAINED' HEREIN IS NOT AUTHORIZED.
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HIGHLIGHTS
US forces are pressing the offensive against
the Viet Cong in Pleiku and Darlac provinces.
Enemy resistance has tapered off at least tempo
rakily,according to the latest reports. On the
political front, a Buddhist demonstration in Sai-
gon drew some 3,000 to 4,000 marchers but remained
orderly.
1. The Military Situation in South Vietnam:
In Operation LINCOLN, US lst Air Cavalry Division
forces are continuing to press their offensive
against regimental-strength Viet Cong/PAVN troop
concentrations in southwestern Pleiku Province,
while elements of the US 25th Infantry Division
continue a parallel drive against Communist posi-
tions in northern Darlac Province (Paras. 1-3).
Battalion-strength USMC amphibious strike force
elements reported sharp contact with Viet Cong
troops today during Operation JACK STAY 28 miles
southeast of Saigon (Para. 4). B-52 Stratofortress
strikes were conducted last night against Communist
target complexes in Quang Nam Province and along
the Quang Nam - Laos border area (Para. 5). I
II. Political Developments in South Vietnam:
A Buddhist demonstration occurred this morning in
Saigon, as anticipated, although it was orderly and
attracted a relatively small number of participants
(Para. 1). "Commemorative" demonstrations also took
place in Hue and Da Nang; there are reports of fur-
ther protests scheduled during the week (Para. 2).
The ruling military Directorate met yesterday in
Saigon, issued a communique indicating that it would
proceed with its "democracy building" plans, and
also directives warning the military and civil ser-
vice against participating in "struggle" activities
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IV. Other Communist Military Developments:
There is nothing of significance to report.
V. Communist Political Developments: Le Duan's
speech at the Soviet party congress appears to have
been a restatement of Hanoi's basic policy of push-
ing ahead with the war and working to secure aid
from both the Soviet and Chinese camps (Paras. 1-2).
31 March 1966
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1. THE MILITARY SITUATION IN SOUTH VIETNAM
1. The US 1st Air Cavalry Division has now com-
mitted tow of its three battalions participating in
Operation LINCOLN to the heavy fighting which erupted
early yesterday near the Chu Pong Mountain/Ia Drang
Valley area of southwestern Pleiku Province. Late
reports indicate that enemy resistance has tapered
off, at least temporarily, to sporadic mortar and
small-arms fire. Communist casualties thus far in
the operation stand at 75 killed (body count) and
six captured, as against US losses of ten killed, 36
wounded, 12 missing, and five helicopters downed by
enemy ground fire (three of which have been success-
fully recovered).
2. In the Darlac Province phase of Operation
LINCOLN, two battalions of the US 25th Infantry Di-
vision are continuing to sweep north from Ban Me
Thuot to the Pleiku Province border, but without
significant enemy contact.
3. MACV's current Order of Battle (OB) hold-
ings for Communist forces in southern Pleiku and
northern Darlac provinces--the operational sweep
area of LINCOLN--accept a main force troop strength
of 5,727 and a local militia force strength of 6,640.
Included in the confirmed main force OB are three
PAVN regiments--the 66th and 33rd in Pleiku and the
32nd in Darlac--and two Viet Cong battalions.
4. Battalion-strength USMC troops conducting
search-and-destroy/amphibious assault Operation
JACK STAY in the Rung Sat Special Zone, 28 miles
southeast of Saigon, reported sharp contact today
with an unknown number of Viet Cong. Fighting ap-
parently erupted when US Marine strike force ele-
ments came upon a large Viet Cong village complex
containing bunkers, numerous tunnels, machinery
caches, and an arms factory. Preliminary reports
indicate that 18 carbines and 1,000 grenades have
been seized. The operation, currently in its fourth
day, has thus far resulted in an estimated 33 Viet
Cong killed, as against US losses of four killed
and 16 wounded. 31 March 1966
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5. USAF B-52 Stratofortresses last night con-
ducted saturation bombing missions against Communist
target complexes in South Vietnam and along the
Vietnam-Laos border.. In the first strike, three B-52s
struck a Viet Cong training camp and base area in
Quang Nam Province, 15 miles southwest of Da Nang.
The second strike involved an attack by 12 B-52s
against a Viet Cong/PAVN staging and infiltration
base 60 miles southwest of Da Nang and one mile in-
side the Laotian border. No ground follow-up opera-
tions were scheduled.
Viet Cong Activity
a graduation cere-
mony for 50 Viet Cong underwater emolition cadres
was held on 12 March at a lake 20 miles northeast of
the Binh Thuan provincial capital of Phan Thiet.
The ceremony was reported attended by a number of
Viet Cong district committee cadres and five offi-
cers from Viet Cong Military Region V. The mission
of UDT graduates is the sabotage and destruction of
South Vietnamese Navy junks and US ships traveling
along the coast of Binh Thuan Province.
50 fishermen from the coastal waters o inn
Thuan had been recruited by the Viet Cong to form
five-man UDTs under the training and supervision
of five instructors from Viet Cong Military Region
V.
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II..POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN SOUTH VIETNAM
1. Buddhists demonstrated today in Saigon, as
expected, but failed to attract a huge crowd. The
proceedings lasted less than two hours and were or-
derly. They began with a commemorative ceremony at-
tended by about 1,500 persons and grew into a march
of some 3,000 to 4,001,.. Banners were displayed call-
ing for an elected parliament,,--an end to military
rule, and "independence" from alleged US domination.
At one point, a group of youths pinned portraits of
Premier Ky, Chief of State 'rhieu,.; and Deputy Premier
Co on poles which form a permanent execution site at
the central market, and :r.nf ur led banners indicating
that these officials should be shot.
2. There were similar commemorative ceremonies
in Da Nang and Hue, attracting from 1,000 to 5,000
persons including military personnel. Both cities
were otherwise quiet, although commercial activity
stopped in Hue. A strike has been called by the
"struggle forces'.' in Hue for 1 and 2 April, and a
major demonstration in Da Nang is rumored for 2
April.
3. The military Directorate in Saigon met
again yesterday to hear a briefing by the new I
Corps commander and to discuss measures to deal with
the situation. One reported area of agreement was
to launch a smear campaign against Buddhist monk Tri
Quang, branding him as a Communist and possibly
paving the way for his eventual arrest as a subver-
sive. A communique issued on the meeting stated
that the generals had decided to push forward with
setting up a "constitution drafting committee"--
but gave no timetable--and to adopt disciplinary
measures against military and-civil servants par-
ticipating in harmful activities.. Subsequent direc-
tives, issued by Ky to the civil service and by
Defense Minister Co to the armed forces, warned.
that members of either group overstepping discipline
would be severely punished and prosecuted by legal
authorities.
31 March 1966
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IV. OTHER COMMUNIST MILITARY DEVELOPMENTS
1, There is nothing of significance to report,
31 March 1966
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V.. COMMUNIST POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS
1. Le Duan's speech to the Soviet party congress
appears to have been a clear-cut reaffirmation of
basic North Vietnamese policy--to push ahead with
the
war in Vietnam and to garner
support from both
the
Soviet and Chinese Communist
camps. As expected,
the
North Vietnamese party first
secretary devoted
much
of his speech to the war in
Vietnam, stressing
Hanoi's determination to pursue the war, expressing
gratitude for the past help of all Communi's'ts, and urg-
ing the dispatch of even more aid to Hanoi. His ex-
pressions of gratitude to the Soviet Union will un-
doubtedly sit poorly with Peking, as will his praise
of the Soviets as "the reliable bulwark of exploited
peoples throughout the world in the struggle against
the forces of international reaction." Peking is
unlikely, however, to view Le Duan's performance at
the Moscow conference as cause to change its basic
policy of support for Hanoi in the war.
2. The Le Duan speech was undoubtedly intended
to make it clear that Hanoi has refused to follow Peking
down the path toward a complete break with Moscow.
On balance, the speech was a tactical victory for
Moscow over the Chinese, but the Soviet leadership
was made aware once again that Hanoi's willingness
at present to give Moscow a few points is based
mainly on its need for continued Soviet aid in the
war, Le Duan emphasized that Hanoi continues to be-
lieve, as does Peking, that the war can and should
be pushed to eventual victory despite the threat
of larger US intervention in the conflict.
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VI. OTHER MAJOR ASPECTS
1. The number of foreign ships calling at DRV
ports in March rose to 39, slightly over the Feb-
ruary level of 37. Ship arrivals continue to re-
main below the monthly average of 44 in 1965. The
tonnage of imports rose sharply this month, reflect-
ing more bulk cargoes and few vehicles. Imports
continue to be composed largely of fertilizer, pe-
troleum, raw materials, machinery, and transporta-
tion equipment. The DRV, which apparently had been
pushing coal exports since bomb damage on the Lao
Cai - Hanoi railroad last fall prevented delivery of
apatite ore to the ports, may now be facing diffi-
culty in maintaining coal shipments. Recently ships
have been told that no coal cargoes are available.
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