23 JUNE 1987 HPSCI BRIEFING

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP91B00874R000300250001-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 23, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 18, 2012
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: June 23, 1987
• Content Type: MEMO

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/18: CIA-RDP91 B00874R000300250001-2
23 June 1987
SUBJECT: 23 June 1987 HPSCI Briefing
CIA Briefer:
Congressmen Present:
Subjects Briefed:
Questions/Answers:
ADDO
Dwyer, Kastenmeier(chair),
Kennelly, Lungren, McHugh, and
Wilson
Persian Gulf: Military -
Political Developments
South Korean Political Situation
Cambodia: Military -
Political Developments
Angolan Military Developments
El Salvador: Military -
Political Developments
Kastenmeier: QUESTION: In regard to El Salvador, do the
guerrillas operating along the border also
use Honduran territory? And if so, what is
the Honduran policy on such use?
ANSWER: The guerrillas have used and
continue to use Honduran territory along the
border, particularly the areas in
territorial dispute between the two
countries. In addition, we know that some
Red Cross and UN camps have been used by the
guerrillas.
QUESTION: With respect to South Korea, what
are the prospects for solving the political
problems, and what impact will the
demonstration have on the Olympic Games?
25X1
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/18: CIA-RDP91 B00874R000300250001-2
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/18: CIA-RDP91 B00874R000300250001-2
SUBJECT: 16 June 1987 HPSCI Briefing
ANSWER: The Olympic Games are very
important to the Koreans politically,
economically and for their national
prestige. Violence could undermine the
games, but we believe every effort will be
made to ensure that they will go on as
planned.
QUESTION: Is it true that the unrest seems
to be fueled by the students and not by the
population at large?
ANSWER: The protests have been sustained
primarily by the students but they have had
support from religous and opposition groups
and in recent weeks increasingly by the
general population. There is only limited
active popular support for the two Kims. It
is not clear who controls whom in the
streets or could end the current turmoil.
QUESTION: Do the Olympic Games provide any
leverage for ending the protests? And would
excessive suppression of the demonstrators
lead to a withdrawal of teams from the
Games?
ANSWER: The timing of the games is
nonnegotiable and it is terribly important
to the Koreans that the games go on as
scheduled. Any government will go the extra
mile to make things work and ensure that the
games are not affected. So far foreign
teams have not threatened to stay away.
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SP.r'RP.T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/18: CIA-RDP91 B00874R000300250001-2
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/18: CIA-RDP91 B00874R000300250001-2
SUBJECT: 16 June 1987 HPSCI Briefing
McHugh:
QUESTION: With respect to El Salvador, how
well is Duarte doing today compared to
critical press reporting six months ago?
ANSWER: Duarte has made dramatic progress
in human rights but he has failed on the
economic side. The country is facing high
inflation, unemployment, declining export
revenue, and an unhappy business
community. He has cultivated and gained the
support of the military which has been his
big accomplishment. For US equities, he
represents the best situation and he is not
likely to be thrown out soon.
QUESTION: Have we seen any increased
activity in North Korea in relation to
current events in South Korea?
ANSWER: North Korea's reaction is notable
by its inaction. They have been very
reserved and they have not raised the
Olympic Games issue. We have no evidence of
agitators being infiltrated and, in fact,
their numbers--over the last couple of
years--have fallen off. The North Koreans
apparently do not want to give Chun any
ammunition to divert attention from his
current problems.
QUESTION: The protestors in South Korea are
referred to as radical students. Radical in
what way? Are they Communist?
ANSWER: As best we can tell, most of the
students are not Communists but there is a
mixture of various leftist ideologies
involved. The students are radical in the
sense that they want immediate and basic
changes in the political system.
ADDO. There is very little evidence of
external influence.
QUESTION: What are the Syrians doing as a
result of the Glass abduction?
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SECRET
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/18: CIA-RDP91 B00874R000300250001-2
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/18: CIA-RDP91 B00874R000300250001-2
SECRET
SUBJECT: 16 June 1987 HPSCI Briefing
ANSWER: ADDO. The Syrians have delivered
another ultimatum but the Syrians are
uncertain about what to do. It is possible
they could start shelling the southern
suburbs and attempt to move in.militarily
but this is doubtful because of the high
human and political costs. They have done
nothing effective and it is unlikely that
Glass will be released. It is possible that
the Defense Minister's son may be released.
QUESTION: How broad based is the opposition
in Panama?
ANSWER: Not much has changed as a result of
the recent demonstrations and state of
emergency. Noriega is greatly unpopular
with the populace and he has mishandled the
economy. However, he has the backing of the
National Guard. He is a ruthless leader and
he is unlikely to change his ways. We have
no information of any military opposition.
SErRF.T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/18: CIA-RDP91 B00874R000300250001-2
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/18: CIA-RDP91 B00874R000300250001-2
SECRET
SUBJECT: 16 June 1987 HPSCI Briefing
Kastenmeier QUESTION: Is Angola likely to achieve its
military objectives against UNITA?
ANSWER: The pending Angolan offensive will
not be definitive. We have seen them
gradually pushing into UNITA-held
territory. We expect South Africa will
react to any major Angolan advance into the
area near Mavinga but the reaction is not
likely to be a direct confrontation. It
will likely be executed in the southwest
under the guise of an anti-SWAPO operation.
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SECRET
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/18: CIA-RDP91 B00874R000300250001-2