THE POLITICAL SITUATION IN SOUTH VIETNAM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00826A000500010054-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 21, 2006
• Sequence Number: 54
• Publication Date: April 7, 1966
• Content Type: IM

Appr6vecl For Rele se 2007/03/(/ T00826A0500010054-1
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OCI No. 1135/66
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Office of Current Intelligence
7 April 1966
INTELLIGENCE MEMORANDUM
The Political Situation in South Vietnam
s of 2: a
1. Disturbances were continuing in Saigon as
of 11:30 P,M (Vietnam time) this evening. US military
officials have reported that there are smaller and
more numerous bands--which puts a burden on security
forces--and that they are engaged primarily in hood-
lumism. One motorcycle and one US truck has been
burned. In addition, one unknown Caucasian has been
abducted by the demonstrators,
2, According to General Khang, commander of the
Capital Military Region, refugee Catholics from the
North are reportedly planning to send "tens of thou-
sands" of persons into Saigon within two or three
days to stage anti-Buddhist demonstrations, and o
attack Buddhist pagodas and newspapers. Khang indi-
cated that security forces now in the capital are
inadequate to cope with such largo numbers. Despite
earlier Catholic statemen- ?riticizing the govern-
ment but urging calm, the- _.re now some indications
of growing Catholic concc:? over the Buddhist campaign,
including anti-Commune demonstration near Saigon
by northe~In Catholics youths last week end,
3. Idhist Institute chairman Tam Chau, inter-
preting for US of::vials the communique which was made
public earlier today, has confirmed that Buddhist
demands still hinge on the creation of a popularly
elected assembly. The government's version of this
assembly is that it will be composed of an equal num-
ber of municipal and provincial council representatives
and of appointees. Despite the exchange of Tic;tters
and communiques between the Buddhists and th == cvern-
ment expressing agreement "in principle", )osi-
tions still differ fundamentally on the cr.:mposx; on
ARMY review(s) completed.
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Excluded from automatic
downgrading and
declassification
~~einer ~
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of an assembly. Premier Ky, who thus far has alter.
nated threats of force in Da Nang and promises of
concessions to the Buddhists in Saigon, may now be
tempted to follow up on the former, in view of grow-
ing mutual suspicions.
4. The Situation remains fluid in Da Nang, al-
though the city was quiet at 11:30 P.M,, (Vietnam time),
US military officials have reported that elements of
the Vietnamese Air Force may attempt to seize a small
Vietnamese army communications post outside the city
sometime tonight. 25X1
E ome of the junior officers in n the progovernment
orces at the airfield are becoming increasingly im-
patient for action.
5. General Khang has provided further evidence
of strains within the military Directorate. He said
that several senior officers were disturbed by the
government's lack of action against the Da Nang dis>.?
sidents, by Ky's seeming efforts to accomodate the
Buddhists. Khang identified this "hawk" element as
himself, General Thieu, Chief of the Joint General
Staff Vien, III Corps commander Tri, and IV Corps com-
mander Quang. Lending weight to a growing split in
the Directorate is a report from Da Nang that General
Co has been at least partially convinced by I Corps
commander Chuan that the "struggle movement" has some
justification and some chance of succeeding. Co re-
pcr tedly intends to remain in Da Nang until the Marines
from Saigon are withdrawn from the air base.
6. A demonstration of some 3,000 persons was
reported in the provincial capital of Quang Tri to-
day--the largest there to date. In addition, the
province chief told a US official that he felt a change
in thenational government had become inevitable.
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OCI No, 1134/66
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Office of Current Intelligence
7 April 1966
The Political Situation in South Vietnam
(As of 10:00 A.M.)
1. Tension rose again in Da Nang today, as
antigovernment forces prepared to defend against
an air attack and a possible movement of govern-
ment troops from the air base. Late press reports
state that calm is returning to the city, with traf-
fic now moving through the roadblocks and at least
some of the troops returning to their quarters.
2. The municipal radio station in Da Nang,
under antigovernment control, began broadcasting
alert messages at about 2:00.P,M, this afternoon
(Vietnam time), ordering the troops to man their
roadblocks and antiaircraft positions, and to guard
the river approaches to the city. A preliminary
report from US military officials stated that a red
alert--the highest state of combat readiness--had
been passed to the I Corps Vietnamese military head-
quarters shortly thereafter. The call for the alert
came from elements of the Vietnamese Air Force (VNAF)
stationed at Da Nang Air Base, The reason for the
alert has not been determined, but it may have been
prompted by the aerial observation of antigovernment
troop movements in the city,
3. In the city of Da Nang, Deputy Premier Gen-
eral Co and I Corps commander General Chuan reportedly
stated that VNAF aircraft had been constantly cir-
cling the city during the day. General Chuan claimed
that he had asked for this to stop, but that the air-
craft had continued their flights, Both Co and Chuan
are apparently continuing their efforts to arrange
a peaceful solution. According to the press, Chuan
stated that the dissident groups in Da Nang would
return control of the radio station to the government
GROUP 1
Excluded from automatic
downgrading and
declassification
o
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providing that they were allowed some broadcasting
time, and that general order would be restored in
the city providing the Vietnamese Marine battalions
were sent back to Saigon.
4. Meanwhile, the continued deployment of
government troops at the air base remains unresolved.
According to US military officials, one Vietnamese
Marine battalion was scheduled to return to Saigon
today, but the movement was cancelled when the alert
condition was declared. However, General Westmore-
land has also reported that Premier Ky today requested
that two additional Vietnamese Ranger battalions be
airlifted to the Da Nang Air Base immediately. Gen-
eral Westmoreland held the request in abeyance pend-
ing clarification, and according to a later report,
Premier Ky cancelled his request.
5. Dissident military elements in I Corps are
apparently sounding out other Vietnamese military
commanders for support.
6. Violence, underway in the streets of Sai-
gon for the fourth consecutive night, is assuming
uglier forms according to press reports. Various
bands of demonstrators today reportedly burned a
US military jeep, beat an American serviceman,
and stoned a US military billet. Police and
government troops are on hand, and apparently are
using all means at their disposal to curb the
violence.
7. A Buddhist Institute communique signed by
chairman Tam Chau and issued earlier today called
for the temporary cessation of all forms of the
"struggle" to allow Premier Ky to confirm publicly
prior verbal agreements made with Buddhist leaders.
According to the press, the thrust of the Buddhist
demand was that Ky fully confirm his promise to
yield power to a popularly elected constituent
assembly within five or six months. The communique
also requested amnesty for those involved in the
antigovernment movement.
I
INEURET
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8. Elsewhere, a small demonstration was re-
ported today in Hoi An south of Da Nang; other
information indicates that Buddhists in Ban Me
Thuot, in the central highlands, may soon recom-
mence demonstrations there. In northern I Corps,
US military advisors have reportedly rejoined the
Vietnamese First Division with the exception of
one regiment, 25X1
some 120
local students are receiving several day's training
at a Popular Forces training center. Banners identi-
fied the group as "student suicide troops." The
purpose and other details of the program were not
clear, even to the deputy commander of the training
center. First Division commander General Nhuan had
assured US officials earlier that students and
other local civilians would not be arced during the
current period of unrest.
ISELRET
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