COMMUNIST ACTIVITY IN THE WESTERN HIGHLANDS OF II CORPS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-5-1-14-9
• Release Decision: RIPLIM
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: March 10, 2010
• Sequence Number: 14
• Publication Date: April 8, 1970
• Content Type: MEMO

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No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/03/10: LOC-HAK-5-1-14-9
UTINOFORN
MEMORANDUM FOR DR. KISSINGER
FROM: John Holdricige
INFORMATION
April 8, 1970
SUBJECT: Communist Activity in the Western
Hi blends of II Corps
MORI/CDF C05099115
ON-FILE NSC RELEASE INSTRUCTIONS
APPLY
Over the past several months, the Communists have intensified political
and guerrilla activities among the ru.ral population in the Western High-
lands of II Corp.. Small armed squads liave become more active in the
provinces of Kant-um, Pleiku, Darlac, and, to a lesser extent, Chang
Due. Communist terrorists have increased the kidnepping or assassin
ation of village and hamlet officials; in other instances, they have
attempted to 'win over local officials or have supported their own can-
didates in government-sponsored local elections.
The enemy has also been ective in attempting to thwart the relocation
of montagnards from ii3 Seettr ? hamlets to safer areas. This tactie has
enjoyed some success, since there is a natural deeire among the mon
tagnards to live in their traditional areas. In bierlac Province, large
groups have moved back to areas under Viet Cong sway, while in Pleiku
Province montagnards on at least two occasions have demonstrated
against government objections to allowing them to return to their for-
mer homes.
Communist propagandists ere playing on local fears by belittling the
capabilities of government forces and threatening widespread violence
after the withdrawal of the U. S. 4th Division has been completed. At
the same tirne, the Communists are conducting an intensive psycho-
logical warfare program against the ARVN 47th Regiment, which is
sclieduled to 1110,13 to Pleiku th the near future. Many dependents of
soldiers in the 47th, which it sow located in Phu Yen Province, have
been abducted and subjected to intensive political indoctrination. The
the morale
was not good and that they were concerned about the safety
of their families once they move to Pleiku. (The 47th Regiment is not
rated very high to begin with, and there would have been worries Lft
any case about itsperiorrnac. in the Central Highlands. )
SXCRETINCWORN
Jilli:MFE:alh (4/8/70)
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/03/10: LOC-HAK-5-1-14-9
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No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/03/10: LOC-HAK-5-1-14-9
C ET/NOFORN
Several Vietnamese officials with experience in the Highlands believe
that security has deteriorated there. During a recant conversed
two such men agreed that district chiefs tend to
overstate the degree of government control and to hide unpleasant de-
velopments. The two officers reportedly believe that if the Communists
OflCS again combine large unit warfare with guerrilla activities, both
Mont= and Pleiku Provinces might fall under Viet Cons control.
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Since that conversation, the Communist* have stepped up their main
force action as a part of the country-wide military surge. Zn particular,
a large enemy force?some two or three regiments controlled by an
element of the /3?-3 Front headquarters?have begun to harms* a Special
Forces camp northwest of the provincial capital of Konhun. Other
major enemy forces are situated just across the border in Leos sad
may eventually join the campaign. Twice last year multi-regimental
enemy forces massed neer similar camps in the Highlands but were
driven hack with heavy losses on each occasion.
Comment: Vietnamisatiem is obviously going to be tested severely in
nds. Withdrawal of the U. S. 4th Division will not be offset
by a corresponding increase in ARVN forces; as already noted, only
one mediocre ARVN regiment is scheduled to deploy to the Highlands.
ftETFNOFORN
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/03/10: LOC-HAK-5-1-14-9