THE SITUATION IN VIETNAM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00826A001300010001-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 13
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 27, 2005
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: September 27, 1966
• Content Type: MEMO

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CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
THE SITUATION IN VIETNAM
Information as of 1600
State Department review 27 September 1966
completed
NSA review completed
PREPARED FOR THE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
FURTHER DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION
CONTAINED HEREIN IS NOT AUTHORIZED
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27 September 1966
HIGHLIGHTS
The constituent assembly formally opened on 27
September and turned its attention to the selection
of temporary assistant officers. Military activity
remained light'for the second day throughout South
Vietnam.
I. The Military Situation in South Vietnam:
Military activity throughout South Vietnam continued
at a low level for the second consecutive day. US
Marines report 27 Viet Cong killed as a result of
artillery fire in Quang Ngai Province (Para. 1).
South Korean forces report killing 92 Viet Cong as
Operation MAENG HO 6 continues in the mountains
north of Qui Nhon (Para. 2). Phan Thiet Airfield
was attacked by Viet Cong using mortar and small-
arms fire early on 27 September causing damage to
five helicopters and wounding eight Americans (Para.
3). US soldiers located a Communist rice cache with
an estimated 294 tons of rice in an area about 40
miles northwest of Saigon (Para. 4).
II. Political Developments in South Vietnam:
There were no significant developments reported
during the opening session of the constituent as-
sembly, which apparently is considering the elec-
tion of temporary assistant officers as its first
order of business (Par,as. 1-2). Thus far, there
is still no consensus on permanent assembly of-
ficers, or on the question of an early discussion
of Article 20, the government.'-s controversial
veto power (Paras. 3-4). Premier Ky will attend
the seven nation conference on Vietnam sponsored
by President Marcos in Manila. next month (Para.
5). The Vatican on 27 September announced that
a special mission will arrive in Saigon soon to
study the problems of the Catholic church in Viet-
nam (Para. 6).
III. Military Developments in North Vietnam:
There is nothing of significance to report.
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I. THE MILITARY SITUATION IN SOUTH VIETNAM
1. US Marines dug in'll miles south Of,the
central:coastal city of Quang Ngai participating
in Operation GOLDEN FLEECE 7-1 spotted an estimated
300 Viet Cong in an open area and called for artil-
lery fire. Sweeping the area later, the marines re-
ported finding 27 enemy dead. Cumulative Communist
losses since this operation began on 16 September
now total 244 killed and three captured. American
casualties are reported as one killed and 18 wounded.
2. The South Koreans, fighting in the Phu Cat
mountains six to 15 miles north of the coastal city
of Qui Nhon, have intensified their activities since
the beginning of Operation MAENG HO 6 (Fierce Tiger)
on 22 September. Units of the South Korean Capital
Division reported killing 92 Viet Cong on 27 September.
According to press reports 300 enemy have been killed
in the five days of fighting in central, coastal Binh
Dinh Province. The Koreans also reported capturing
102 prisoners, 71 weapons, and quantities of grenades,
mortar shells, and ammunition.
3. Early on 27 September, the Phan Thiet Air-
field located =n,.coastal Binh Thuan Province about
93 miles east of Saigon was attacked by a Communist
force of unknown size. Five mortar rounds and small-
arms fire were directed at the American installation.
Elements of the US lst Cavalry Division reacted with
airborne rocket artillery. Eight Americans were
wounded and six helicopters were damaged. Communist
casualties are unknown.
4. US soldiers participating in Operation
KAMUELA in Binh Duong Province located a Viet Cong
rice cache estimated to total 294 tons in an area
about 40 miles northwest of Saigon. Plans are being
made to evacuate the rice. This search-and-destroy
operation which began on 19.September has made only
light contact with Communist forces.
27 September 1966
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II. POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN SOUTH VIETNAM
1. Following speeches the morning of 27 Sep-
tember by Chief of State Thieu, Premier Ky, and
acting assembly president Nguyen Ba Luong which
generally urged the drafting of a meaningful con-
stitution, the constituent assembly settled down to
consider its order of business. During a 30-minute
exchange, some 10 or 12 delegates expressed varying
views. Some wanted a discussion of the assembly's
agenda; another wanted to draft a resolution of the
assembly's "viewpoint," including a condemnation of
the Communists. The US Embassy reported, however,
that a consensus that temporary assistants to the
acting president and secretary general first be
elected was being formed and included among others
Dr. Phan Quang Dan. In view of the lively debate
developing during the public, and more or less
ceremonial, initial session, acting president Luong
recessed the assembly until mid-afternoon.
2. The afternoon session was closed to the
public, and no details have yet been received. Pre-
sumably, the assembly considered the election of
temporary assistant officers. The assembly is
scheduled to meet again the morning of 28 Septem-
ber.
3. There have been no recent reports indi-
cating any consensus among the delegates on per-
manent assembly officers, nor on the likelihood of
an early discussion of Article 20, the government's
veto power over the assembly's work whenever it
lacks a two-thirds majority. The press, however,
has been speculating to some extent on the possi-
bility of the younger and relatively unknown mem-
bers of the assembly rejecting the leadership of
the older and more experienced politicians from the
Saigon area. One "youth" candidate for president
mentioned by press sources on 27 September is Tran
Tan Viet, a 30-year-old lawyer from Thua Thien Prov-
ince, who was described in earlier official report-
ing as the province's official VNQPD candidate. Al-
though the possibility of younger candidates oppos-
ing the leadership of the older politicians cannot
be ruled out, official reporting from the field
thus far has reflected no particular concern over
this probability.
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4. The prospects for an early assembly dis-
cussion of Article 20 also remain somewhat obscure.
Among'well known Saigon politicians, Dang Van Sung
and La Thanh Nghe are working to head off any such
discussion, while Tran Van Van apparently still
favors it. In addition to some southern delegates
close to Van, there are indications that Article 20
is strongly opposed by representatives from central
Vietnam, some of whom made campaign promises to abro-
gate it.
Premier Ky to Attend Manila Conference
5. According to press reports, Premier Ky
announced on 27 September that he will attend the
conference of nations contributing to the allied
military effort in South Vietnam which has been
called by President Marcos in Manila on 18 October.
Vatican Mission to Arrive in South Vietnam Soon
6. The Vatican has announced that a special mis-
sion headed by Sergio Pignedoli, the apostolic dele-
gate to Canada, would leave for Saigon. on 27 September to
study the problems of the Catholic Church in Vietnam.
There was no disclosure of what specific moves the
mission might undertake, but Vatican sources report-
edly described the trip as of "major importance."
The Pope received Archbishop Pignedoli in audience
on the morning of 27 September.
27 September 1966
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III. MILITARY DEVELOPMENTS IN NORTH VIETNAM
port.
1. There is nothing of significance to re-
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IV. OTHER COMMUNIST MILITARY DEVELOPMENTS
1. There is nothing of significance to re-
27 September 1966
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COMMUNIST POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS
port.
1. There is nothing of significance to re-
27 September 1966
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1.
some North Vietnamese troops in Houa?Pha,n and
ieng Khouang provinces withdrew during the summer
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rainy season to North Vietnam. 25X1
the North Vietnamese had cited heavy casu-
alties, privation, and periodic troop rotation as
reasons for their reti.rn.
Some DRV troop movement
may ere ore be taking place. In the past, rainy
season conditions have produced some North Vietnam-
ese troop reduction in Laos. As in recent years,
the onset of dry weather in October may result in
an increase in the numbers of DRV troops there.
res DR troops may have al-
ready arrived east of Sam Neua. There are no in-
dications, however, that the Communists contemplate
a substantially higher level of military action in
the northern provinces than in the past several
years.
27 September 1966
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