THE SITUATION IN VIETNAM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00826A001600010055-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 2, 2006
• Sequence Number: 55
• Publication Date: February 9, 1967
• Content Type: MEMO

Approved Forelease 2007/03/14: CIA-RDP79TO08 A001600o~5a
Top Secret
DIRECTORATE OF
INTELLIGENCE
MEMORANDUM
The Situation in Vietnam
Top Secret
11.3
9 February 1967
 Approved For Release 2007/03/14: CIA-RDP79T00826AO01600010055-8
Approved For Release 2007/03/14: CIA-RDP79T00826A001600010055-8
 Appro
Information .as 1600
9 February 1967
1
HIGHLIGHTS
During the first 45 hours of the Tet cease-fire
47 major Communist-initiated incidents have been re-
ported.
Soviet Premier Kosygin was unusually outspoken
in voicing Moscow's desire for a political solution
to the Vietnamese war in his 8-9 February remarks
in London. Kosygin revealed no substantive change
in Moscow's position on the war, however.
I. The Military Situation in South Vietnam:
A total of 47 major incidents have been reported dur-
ing the first 45 hours of the Tet cease-fire period
(Paras. 1-2). Five Americans were killed and 43 were
wounded in an encounter in Binh Duong Province follow-
ing an. enemy attack on an American unit participating
in Operation BIG SPRING (Para. 3).
II. Political Developments in South Vietnam: The
Australian Government has decided to increase its non-
military assistance to South Vietnam,
III. Military Developments in North Vietnam: There
is nothing of significance to report.
IV. Other Communist Military Developments: Chinese
Communist engineers may be expanding their construction
activities in northwestern North Vietnam (Paras. 1-2).
V. Communist Political Developments: Soviet Pre-
mier Kosygin comments in London on the Vietnamese War
(Paras. 1-3).
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 Approved For Release 2007/03/14: CIA-RDP79T00826A0 1600010055-8
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 Approved 9
1. During the first 45 hours of the lunar new
year (Tet) cease-fire, 47 major and 87 minor Commu-
nist-initiated incidents have been reported. The
majority of these incidents have involved mortar and
small-arms harassing fire on US/ARVN/ROK outposts,
patrols, and small-unit positions.
2. The pattern and the rate of these truce
violations reported so far closely parallel those
of the 1966 Christmas and New Year cease-fire periods.
As expected, many incidents are occurring as friendly
reconnaissance patrols encounter enemy forces in their
bivouac areas.
3. Among the significant actions reported was an
engagement early on 8 February between US forces par-
ticipating in Operation BIG SPRING in Binh Duong Prov-
ince and a Viet Cong force of undetermined size. The
enemy attacked the American unit, using grenades and
claymore mines. As a result of the ensuing battle,
five Americans were killed and 43 were wounded. A total
of 36 Viet Cong were killed and one was captured.
9 February 1967
 Approvq
II. POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN SOUTH VIETNAM
1. Australia's cabinet has decided to increase
its nonmilitary assistance to South Vietnam for the
current fiscal year by 70 percent above fiscal year
1966. The additional aid will be allocated to new
programs such as water supply, medical teams, and
provincial hospitals. It will also supply equipment
for resettlement centers, and will provide increases
in present programs such as road-building machinery
and army civic action. Canberra is also-encouraging
greater voluntary assistance by nongovernmental bodies
in Australia, and expects "large increases" from such
sources.
9 February 1967
 Approv
port.
III. MILITARY DEVELOPMENTS IN NORTH VIETNAM
1. There is nothing of significance to re-
9 February 1967
 Approved For Relse 2007/03/14: CIA-RDP79T00826A 1600010055-8
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 Approved For Release 2007/03/14 ? cIA-R DP79T00826A00160001005-8
IV. OTHER COMMUNIST. MILITARY DEVELOPMENTS
1. Chinese Communist engineers may be expanding
their construction activities in northwestern North
Vietnam. Overhead photography which
has just been interpreted, shows 19 military storage/
construction camp areas with over 500 completed build-
ings dispersed along the 18-mile length of a new
road under construction. Analysis of comparative
photography reveals that all of this construction
has been accomplished since September 1966.
2. In the past, work camps directly associated
with road construction projects have been identified
in this area, but the number of buildings seen ad-
jacent to this new road far exceeds the needs of
road construction teams. Although a more detailed
analysis of this complex will be necessary to de-
termine its exact purpose, it could represent a large
contingency storage area.
9 February 1967
 Appr
V. COMMUNIST POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS
1. Soviet Premier Kosygin's comments in London
on the Vietnamese war were clearly designed to move
the US toward accepting Hanoi's hints that it is
willing to talk with the US if the bombing of the
North is ended. Although he was unusually outspoken
in voicing Moscow's desire for a political solution
to the conflict, Kosygin revealed no substantive
change in Moscow's position on the war.
2. In line with previous Soviet commentary,
Kosygin welcomed DRV Foreign Minister Trinh's recent
statement that a cessation of American bombing could
lead to "talks" between Washington and Hanoi.' The
Soviet premier said the Soviet Union saw it as a
"constructive proposal" which could lead the two sides
to the conference table and "enable the US to find a
way out of the present impasse."
3. In a luncheon speech on 8 February, Kosygin
stated that he thought Britain as well as the Soviet
Union and other nations could make a contribution to
the settlement of the war. However, when questioned
at his press conference on 9 February as to whether
Moscow would support a reconvening of the Geneva
Conference, Kosygin would go no further than to refer
back to his 8 February comment.
9 February 1967