VIET CONG OCCUPATION POLICY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-23-3-23-7
• Release Decision: RIFLIM
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: October 15, 2012
• Sequence Number: 23
• Publication Date: May 10, 1972
• Content Type: MEMO

No Objection to Declassification in Full 2012/10/15: LOC-HAK-23-3-23-7
MEMORANDUM W W
INFORMATION
May 10, 1972
MEMORANDUM FOR: HENRY A. KISSINGER
FROM: TOM LATIMERI--
SUBJECT: Viet Cong Occupation Policy
4e
The following interesting item was contained in a CIA daily publication.
It details the way the Communists are operating in areas they have
seized during this offensive:
Refugees fleeing from Communist-occupied districts in northern
Binh Dinh Province are bringing out stories about enemy efforts
to consolidate political control there. The Communists are said
to be setting up "liberation governments" and executing some
government officials. Journalists who have interviewed the refugees
report that the North Vietnamese units that spearheaded the attacks
in Binh Dinh immediately turned civil authority over to local Viet
Cong officials, some of whom are government cadre recruited
before the Communist occupation.
The new local governments reportedly are carrying out routine
functions such as trying criminals, arbitrating land disputes, and
supervising the repair of war damage. They are said to be screen-
ing all individuals who were connected in any way with the South
Vietnamese government. Some of these officials are being given
the opportunity to co-operate with the Viet Cong, but others
particularly policemen -- reportedly are being shot.
The refugees accounts generally agree with earlier reports of how
the enemy proceeded after occupying other areas in South Vietnam,
such as Loc Ninh District north of An Loc. The Communists evi-
dently have well-thought-out procedures that they are implementing
after completing their military operations. There have been many
reports of a "Ten-Point Proselyting Policy" that is to be instituted
by Viet Cong cadre wherever access to the population is gained. It
is clear that the enemy occupation, carried out with a mixture of
benevolence and terror, is oriented for the long term and that the
Communists intend to stay in those areas they have seized, using
them as springboards for subsequent offensive campaigns.
C ONFID.
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2012/10/15: LOC-HAK-23-3-23-7