CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00975A015600090001-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 18
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 10, 2003
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: February 24, 1970
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2003/05/29: CIA-RDP79T00975A015ftCt1-9
DIRECTORATE OF
INTELLIGENCE
Central Intelligence Bulletin
STATE review(s) completed.
Secret
5
24 February 1970
25X1
Approved For Release 2003/05/29 : CIA-RDP79T00975A015600090001-9
 25X1 Approved For Release 2003/05/29 : CIA-RDP79T00975AO15600090001-9
Approved For Release 2003/05/29 : CIA-RDP79T00975AO15600090001-9
 Approved For Release 2003/DP79T00975A015600090001-9
No. 0047/70
24 February 1970
Central Intelligence Bulletin
CONTENTS
Laos: The Communists are pressing their advantage
west of the Plaine des Jarres. (Page 1)
President's Foreign Policy Messace,: Early reactions
have been generally favorable. (Page 4)
Jordan: The government and the fedayeen have agreed
to a compromise on "law and order." (Page 8)
Brazil: Lack of financing is frustrating efforts to
acquire modern fighter aircraft. (Page 9)
Guyana--Venezuela: Border incidents cloud prospects
for settling the territorial dispute. (Page 11)
UN: The Human Rights Commission will air questions
involving the Middle East. (Page 12)
Cambodia: Sihanouk's travels (Page 13)
Morocco: Dissident students (Page 13)
Approved For Release 2003/05/29 : CIA-RDP79T00975A015600090001-9
SECRET
25X1
25X1
25X1
 Approved For Release 20038 E1 RDP79T00975A015600090001-9
AwXA O
MAIN MAP
Communist Offensive Continues
Eoe moving on %hou
govrnfinent bass Government position lost San
Mu )8/ Kouy4't AINE 'NanCs .:
Khang
Xiang Khouan
JARRf S t=
Moir government
,
tifansrve line
San %
10 2OKibme
Govarnment`Vac
area
0 Government held location
,? Communist-held location
Approved For Release 2003/0510: DP79T00975A015600090001-9
STR
 SECRET
Approved For Release 2003/05/29 : CIA-RDP79T00975A015600090001-9
Laos: Communist forces are pressing their ad-
vantage west of the Plaine des Jarres.
Early on 24 February the government airstrip at
Muong Soul fell to an enemy attack. The immediate
obstacle to the enemy advance, the mountain outpost
of Phou Kout, had fallen quickly to an enemy assault
on the evening of 23 February. At last report, am-
munition and POL supplies at Moung Soui were burning
and government forces were withdrawing to the west
on Route 7. Moung Souii had been an important base
for Lao fighter-bombers providing close air support
to government forces in the Plaine des Jarres area.
Meanwhile, southwest of the Plaine, government
forces are establishing a new crescent-shaped defen-
sive line some ten miles off the edge of the P.:laine.
The new line, designed in part to check an enemy ad-
vance against the Meo community at Long Tieng, is
being stiffened with. several 155-mm. howitzers and
most of the 1,100-man garrison that is being evacu-
ated from the Xieng Khouangville area.
The Communist counteroffensive, which has been
under way for little more than one week, has resulted
in enemy reoccupation of most of the positions lost
to the government rainy season offensive. The en-
emy's rapid advances have been in part due to General
Vang Pao's efforts to keep his casualties at a mini-
mum. At this juncture, he appears to have been suc-
cessful. As of 23 February, all but 200 troops from
the 1,300-man defensive force at Xieng Khouang air-
field have returned to government positions.
The lack of adequate stockpiles on or near the
Plaine will likely inhibit the Communists from push-
ing deep into government-controlled areas in the
near future. Once communist supply lines have been
re-established, however, the enemy will probably
turn its attention toward the newly created govern-
ment defense line southwest of the Plaine.
(continued)
24 Feb 70 Central Intelligence Bulletin 1
Approved For Release 2003/bbF99~~RDP79T00975A015600090001-9
 Approved For Release 2003/1DP79T00975A015600090001-9
Meanwhile, in western Sayaboury Province, Com-
munist forces launched their first heavy probing at-
tack against the government base at Xieng Lam on 23
February. Xieng Lom, situated some five miles from
the Thai border, is an important government staging
base for guerrilla operations directed against Com-
munist activity in the Thai-Lao border area. Greater
enemy pressure against the base can be expected with
an increase in both the sco a and effectiveness of
the government operations.
24 Feb 70 Central Intelligence Bulletin
25X1
Approved For Release 2003/0$EC ATRDP79T00975A015600090001-9
 25X1 Approved For Release 2003/05/29 : CIA-RDP79T00975AO15600090001-9
Approved For Release 2003/05/29 : CIA-RDP79T00975AO15600090001-9
 Approved For Release 2003/Og12 j IZDP79T00975AO15600090001-9
President's Foreign Policy Message: Although
there ve been few comments so far from government
leaders, early reactions to the message have been
generally favorable, except in countries antagonistic
to the US.
In Western Europe most observers assess the
Presidential message as "realistic." British Defense
Minister Healey publicly termed it "most impressive."
A Bonn official relayed to the US Embassy his govern-
ment's "great interest and admiration." and said that
Chancellor Brandt would probably respond in his for-
eign policy address on 25 February. NATO Secretary
General Brosio said the message was a signal to him
and to the Europeans to start serious thinking im-
mediately about the future of the Alliance.
There has been no official Soviet reaction to
the President's message. In providing interim com-
mentary, the press has stressed that US foreign pol-
icy goals remain unchanged. Commentators have pointed
out contradictions between the goals set forth in
the message and their version of US actions around
the world. The "Nixon Doctrine" is said to call for
using other countries to achieve US aims.
The East European regimes have also not yet
reacted officially. The press, however, has commented
along predictable lines, with East Germany, Bulgaria,
and Albania being the most vituperative, Poland re-
latively objective and noncommittal, and Yugoslavia,
Hungary, and Czechoslovakia giving varying degrees
of positive assessments. All, however, share the
view that the message contained no new policy de-
partures. The reaction of Romanian media stands out
as the most positive and even warm, and is alone in
avoiding criticism save for a mild rebuke of the
"unchanged" US policy in Vietnam.
The initial Israeli response has been quite
favorable. Tel Aviv's press has interpreted the
report as giving a clear warning to Moscow not to
24 Feb 70 Central Intelligence Bulletin 4
Approved For Release 2003/Q -2 :kAfDP79T00975A015600090001-9
 SECRET
Approved For Release 2003/05/29 : CIA-RDP79T00975AO15600090001-9
attempt to create a sphere of influence or to inter-
vene in the area, and as indicating that Israel will
receive more US arms. The Arabs, led by Egyptian
newspapers, see a reaffirmation of the complete com-
mitment of the US to Israeli policies.
The North Vietnamese reaction to the message
was predictably negative.., Radio Hanoi on 20 February
did note the pronouncement's "modest tone," which it
said was due to the "serious setbacks" suffered by
the US in recent years, particularly in Vietnam.
Still, Hanoi concluded that there was no change in
"the US ambition to control the world by means of
US neocolonialism."
No Chinese Communist commentary on the message
has been noted so far.
The President's message had a generally favor-
able reception in Saigon. Foreign Minister Lam,
though pleased about US steadfastness, expressed con-
cern over the phrase, "we agreed to negotiate with
the National Liberation Front as one of the parties
to the negotiation."
An official in Taipei felt that the President
was adhering to the traditional US policy of uphold-
ing the rights of the Chinese Republic and containing
the Peking regime.
The Chilean Foreign Ministry issued a statement
saying that the message "shows a new and positive
outlook." It especially-noted the President's recog-
nition that responsibility for the process of eco-
nomic development belongs to each nation. Venezuelan
President Caldera also noted.favorably that "the US
does not intend to impose standards, but will cooper-
ate with our development programs." The Bolivian
minister of information said the message suggested
"a better understanding of Latin American reality"
and a belief that American tutelage must end.
(continued)
Central Intelligence Bulletin 5
Approved For Release 2003/0% c:: IDP79T00975A015600090001-9
 Approved For Release 2003/0~Y9c I DP79T00975A015600090001-9
Havana Radio claimed the speech demonstrated
US determination to keep Latin America "in chains
through a marked increase in private investment,"
and it decried the President's failure to rectify
the "lopsided" trade terms between the US and Latin
America.
24 Feb 70 Central intelligence Bulletin
25X1
Approved For Release 2003/0(7IffDP79T00975A015600090001-9
 25X1 Approved For Release 2003/05/29 : CIA-RDP79T00975AO15600090001-9
Approved For Release 2003/05/29 : CIA-RDP79T00975AO15600090001-9
 Approved For Release 200 19~ T-RDP79T00975A015600090001-9
I Jordan: The government-fedayeen agreement on
"law and order" appears less restrictive than the
King's decree of 10 February and closer to the fed-
ayeen's self-imposed curbs.
The agreement prohibits fedayeen carrying and
firing of arms in the cities, prohibits fedayeen in-
terference with civilians and security forces, puts
some restrictions on fedayeen money collecting, and
requires registration of fedayeen vehicles.
Fedayeen "military police," however, are per-
mitted to carry arms, there are some exceptions on
the storage of explosives and ammunition in the
cities, and there are only token restrictions on
public meetings and publications. Most importantly,
the agreement is vague on the question of enforce-
ment and appears to leave it at least in part to the
fedayeen. The agreement states only that fedayeen
violators of Jordanian law are "to be handed over"
to Jordanian authorities.
The agreement is signed by Yasir Arafat, of
Fatah, and by the leader of the Syrian-supported
Saiqa organization. Presumably they were signing
for all ten fedayeen organizations in the unified
fedayeen command.
24 Feb 70 Central Intelligence Bulletin
Approved For Release 21 O I Y'CIA-RDP79T00975A015600090001-9
 Approved For Release 2003O'1 . RDP79T00975A015600090001-9
Brazil: Efforts to acquire modern supersonic
fighters continue to be frustrated by the lack of
acceptable financing and the inability to buy suit-
able equipment.
The air force has just backed off from a pre-
liminary agreement made with the British last year
for 16 Lightnings, and is now trying to reactivate
a deal with the French for Mirages. Brazil came
close to accepting Mirages once before, but then
turned it down.
Air force leaders probably have used negotia-
tions with third countries in part as a tactic to
try to change US military sales policies. They now
appear, however, to believe that they will only be
able to obtain. the desired aircraft from European
suppliers, although some officers still hope that
the US will make modern aircraft, such as the F-4,
available.
The situation may have been further confused
by private US sales representatives, who have ob-
viously whetted the appetite of the air force pur-
chasing officers for the most sophisticated and ex-
pensive new planes.
24 Feb 70 Central Intelligence Bulletin
Approved For Release 20031?EMRI-RDP79T00975A015600090001-9
25X1
 25X1 Approved For Release 2003/05/29 : CIA-RDP79T00975AO15600090001-9
Approved For Release 2003/05/29 : CIA-RDP79T00975AO15600090001-9
 Approved For Release 2003/0 REffDP79T00975A015600090001-9
Guyana-Venezuela: Expiration of the Mixed Bor-
der Commission, coupled with sporadic border inci-
dents, clouds prospects for settlement of the ter-
ritorial dispute.
After four years of fruitless negotiations, the
commission officially expired last week without
reaching any agreement. The commission now has 90
days in which to submit its findings and another
three months in which to find a solution by other
means acceptable to both governments. Failing that,
the case is referred by prior agreement to the UN
secretary general for settlement. Discussions on a
government-to-government level will probably con-
tinue during the interim period.
Meanwhile, small-scale border incidents involv-
ing machine guns and mortar fire have been occurring
intermittently since last Tuesday
Neither
siae seems to have incurred any casualties, and both
governments appear to be playing down the incidents.
Continued clashes could jeopardize future negotia-
tions and could cause further deterioration in rela-
tions between the two countries.
24 Feb 70 Central Intelligence Bulletin
25X1
25X1
Approved For Release 20031 *RDP79T00975A015600090001-9
 Approved For Release 2003ko]R?)RRDP79T00975A015600090001-9
UN: The focus will be on the Middle East at
today' opening session of the 26th meeting of the
UN Human Rights Commission.
The most controversial agenda item will be the
report of the ad hoc committee on human rights on
its investigation of alleged Israeli violations of
the human rights of Arabs in the territories occupied
since the 1967 war. Israel has charged the nations
serving on the committee--Somalia, Ceylon, and Yugo-
slavia--with political bias and has refused to coop-
erate in the investigation, which did not consider
the human rights of Jews and other minority groups
in Arab countries. The Israelis have indicated that
they would prefer that the US not participate in the
review of the committee's report.
Israel has denied that the 1949 Geneva Conven-
tion on protection of civilians in time of war ap-
plies to the occupied territories, and may charge
the Arabs with atrocities, citing the recent Swissair
crash and other incidents.
Jordan, Syria, Egypt.. and Israel are among the
parties to the convention. Attention is expected
to center on charges that Israel inflicted collective
punishment on Arabs in the Gaza Strip in 1969 fol-
lowing incidents of sabotage. Collective punishment
is specifically prohibited by the convention, which
also provides for full recognition of the procedural
rights of accused persons. The US last fall urged
intment of
the Arab governments to request the appo
a protective power in the occupied territories.
24 Feb 70 Central i utelligenec Bulletin
Approved For Release 2003/05P79T00975A015600090001-9
 Approved For Release 2003/0% it 1A1 DP79T00975A015600090001-9
NOTES
Cambodia: Prince Sihanouk reportedly plans to
balance his private visits to Prague and Moscow with
a final stop in China before returning home, prob-
ably in mid-April. Sihanouk was last in Peking in
1966., and he no doubt wants to get a look at China
in the post - Cultural Revolution era, as well as
to renew his acquaintance with its leaders. Mean-
while, Prime Minister Lon Nol returned to Phnom
Penh on 18 February from his extended
in Paris. F77 I
Morocco: King Hassan apparently has decided
to take a harsher line toward student dissenters.
The King has removed Ahmed Reda Guedira as minister
of state in charge of secondary and higher educa-
tion and has placed the ministry under the control
of Prime Minister.Laraki. Guedira had attempted to
enter into a dialogue with student dissenters.
Nevertheless, dissident students from two schools
in the university decided on Friday to continue
their strike indefinitely. This decision together
with the occupation of the Moroccan Embassy in Paris
by students may have convinced the King that a firmer
policy was needed. Laraki, who is not noted for his
warmth, may prove less sympathetic toward the stu-
2 4 Feb 70 Central Intelligence Bulletin
Approved For Release 2003 pI RDP79T00975A015600090001-9
25X1
25X1
 Secretpproved For Release 2003/05/29 : CIA-RDP79T00975AO15600090001-9
Secret
Approved For Release 2003/05/29 : CIA-RDP79T00975AO15600090001-9