RAPID RECONSTRUCTION IN NORTH VIETNAM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-558-13-15-2
• Release Decision: RIFLIM
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: September 9, 2010
• Sequence Number: 15
• Publication Date: December 6, 1972
• Content Type: MEMO

"119
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2013/12/30: LOC-HAK-558-13-15-2
MEMORANDUM IP IIP
'NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
-SE-eik-Er-T4SPOKE
8380
INFORMATION
December 6, 1972
MEMORANDUM FOR: DR. KLSSINGER
FROM: PHIL ODEENV
SUBSECT: Rapid Reconstruction in North Vietnam
The attached DIA assessment indicates that NVN has rapidly restored
its transportation system north of the 20th parallel bombing limit,
that the NVN import level has returned to the pre-mining level, and
that repair of electric generation facilities and industry is proceeding.
Both the northeast and northwest rail lines are open for
through traffic from China to the Hanoi area.
Coastal shipping has resumed north of 20 degrees and inland
waterway traffic was heavy in November.
-- Planned shipments from China to NVN in November were
220,000 tons, equal to the peak monthly imports through Haiphong
before the mining.
-- Of this total 90,000 was to move into NVN by road, 78, 000
by rail, 36,000 by pipeline, and 16,000 by water.
-- Repairs to electric generating facilities increased operational
capacity from 30 to 37% with 50% expected to be reached by the end of
December.
-- Repair of industrial facilities appears to have a lower priority
although the Haiphong cement plant was reopened, supplying a commodity
needed for repair of the transportation system.
-- Return toward economic normalcy is reflected in the resumption
of fruit and fish exports to Eastern Europe.
SECRET /SPOKE
CLASSIFIED DY DIA -
EXEMPT FROM GENERAL DECLASSIFICATION
SCHEDULE OF EXECUTIVE ORDER 11652
EXEMPTION CATEGORY
AUTOMATICALLY DECLASSIFIED ON
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,SECRETiSPOK 111,
2
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- Training for MEG pilots in both air intercept and ground attack
operations has substantially increased. A number of SAM units are
moving, generally southward, including into South Laos.
Panhandle Activity
Despite the concentration of U.S. air efforts in the panhandle (south of
20 degrees), the enemy continues to move a large volume of supplies
through the interdiction area.
-- Air strikes have kept the panhandle rail lines closed to through
traffic.
-- Enemy repair efforts on roads and bridges have increased;
the number of trucks being used in the panhandle has increased.
-- Intercepts from one supply command showed 12, 000 tons to
be moved in November compared with 15, 000 in October and 10, 000
in September.
-- Despite supply movement problems because of the air attacks
and the increasingly wet weather, the enemy in Quang Tri did not
appear to be supply constrained; about 35 tors of large caliber ammuni-
tion were fired daily in November compared with 12 tons per day in
October.
-- Au. major POL depots south of 20 degrees have been attacked.
In the Vinh and Co Chau area 40% of pipeline depot capacity has been
destroyed, but POL movements south of 20 degrees appear to be meeting
essential military requirements.
SECRET /SPOKE
? No Objection to Declassification in Full 2013/12/30: LOC-HAK-558-13-15-2
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, No Objection to Declassification in Full 2013/12/30: LOC-HAK-558-13-15-2