CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00975A020700100001-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 14
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 2, 2003
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: December 20, 1971
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2003/05/19: CIA-RDP79T00975A02070(8gVpet
25X1
DIRECTORATE OF
INTELLIGENCE
Central Intelligence Bulletin
Secret
N0_ 042
Approved For Release 2003/05/19 : CIA-RDP79T00975AO20700100001-0
 Approved For Release 2003/OOh.XUATRDP79T00975A020700100001-0
No. 0303/71
20 December 1971
Central Intelligence Bulletin
LAOS: The situation on the Plaine des Jarres is
Teteriorating. (Page 1)
INDIA-PAKISTAN: Yahya's resignation paves way for
civilian government. (Page 3)
COMMUNIST CHINA - CANADA: Peking has bought $200
million worth of Canadian wheat. (Page 5)
INTERNATIONAL MONETARY SITUATION: Reactions to
new currency parities. Page
ECUADOR: There are reports of plans to replace
Velasco with a military dictatorship. (Page 9)
CHILE.- COMMUNIST CHINA: Copper contract (Page 10)
MALAYSIA: Rubber market (Page 10)
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LAOS: PLAINE DES JARRES AREA
0 Mies 10
tv _~
.Government-held location
.Communist-held location Bouam Longs
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C LAOS: The situation on the Plaine des Jarres
is deteriorating in the face of a full-scale North
Vietnamese offensive.
On 18 December North Vietnamese units, sup-
ported by tanks and highly accurate artillery fire,
launched simultaneous attacks on all irregular po-
sitions and fire support bases on the northern and
eastern edges of the Plaine. Seven irregular bat-
talions, providing an infantry screen for the north-
ern fire support bases, were dispersed and are re-
grouping near Xieng Khouang. Their withdrawal
leaves a gap between the government's fire support
bases on the northern and southern edges of the
Plaine.
During the night of 19 December, Communist
troops supported by heavy artillery, mortar fire,
and tanks overran irregular positions and two fire
support bases near Phou Theung. The northern fire
support bases near Phou Keng are also under heavy
attack.
The accuracy and intensity of enemy ground
fire have precluded all resupply and medical evacu-
ation operations on the Plaine. Four USAF F-4s
have been downed over north Laos since 18 December.
One of these planes was shot down by a MIG. Two
Lao Air Force T-28s were also brought down by AAA
fire over the Plaine on 18 December. Air observers
have spotted five heavy guns--probably some of the
130--m;n. field guns recently brought into Laos--em-
placed in Khang [