CEASE-FIRE DEVELOPMENTS (FEBRUARY 19 - 4:00 P.M. EST)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-31-1-12-2
• Release Decision: RIFLIM
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: April 3, 2012
• Sequence Number: 12
• Publication Date: February 19, 1973
• Content Type: MEMO

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MEMORANDUM
806
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
INFORMATION
February 19, 1973
p.m. EST February 1 1973.
The following is a report on current cease-fire developments in South
Vietnam and on the present situation in Laos and Cambodia. This report
includes information received from. State, Defense and CIA as of 4:30
Vietnam
Military Situation
WILLIAM L. STEARMAN
Cease -Fire Developments
(February 19 -? 4:00 p.m. EST
-- South Vietnamese clearing operations in Quang Ngai and Kontum
provinces continue to meet stiff enemy resistance.
-- Although field reports are sketchy, the Communists apparently
still hold a position just east of the government-held town of Sa Huynh as
well as much of the high ground west of the town. The Communists are
moving additional fighting units toward the coast, and new Communist
attacks to the north of Sa Huynh may be intended to relieve pressure on
their remaining positions near the town.
-- South Vietnamese officials in the central provinces have been
ordered by President Thieu to reopen Route 14 (the major north-south
road in the highlands) or. lose their jobs. The abortive effort to move
a convoy into Kontum City on February 17 has been followed by new
operations to clear vital road passes held by the Communists. At last
report the road remained closed.
-- The Communists have moved SA-2 SAM missiles back into northern
South Vietnam near Khe Sanh.
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SECRET
(2)
-- There were 33 major and 141 minor cease-fire violations reported
during the 24-hour period ending 0700 EST February 19.
Cease-Fire Control
Four Party Joint Military Commission
-- The first official Joint Military Commission investigation of an
alleged cease-fire violation was agreed to on February 19. Acting on a
Communist request, the delegation chiefs decided to investigate recent
fighting in the Sa Huynh area which GVN troops are now recapturing and
where the GVN claims its forces were attacked just after the cease-fire
went into effect.
-- Both the Joint Commission and the ICCS agreed to investigate the
shooting down of a U. S. helicopter on February 16.
-- At a February 19 meeting between the GVN and PRG FPJMC
delegations, the PRG finally designated three points of entry: Gio Linh
(near the DMZ), Duc Co (in the Central Highlands), and Xa Mat (in Tay
Ninh province). (The GVN had earlier designated Danang, Cam Ranh
and Saigon.) The PRG is now pressing for agreement on corridors,
routes, etc. for movement of military supplies.
-- The President and two other officials of the American Red Cross
are returning to the U. S., following the DRV's refusal to admit them,
despite the February 6 invitation for them to visit U. S. military, civilian
and foreign prisoners in the DRV. No explanation was given by the DRV.
Political
-- In his latest move to form a broad anti-Communist front, President
Thieu has invited a large number of government, political, religious and
other leaders at all levels to attend a congress in Saigon on February 22
to "adopt a formula for achieving national unity and ... to win victory over
the Communists in the political struggle. "
-- In an ABC "Issues and Answers" TV interview broadcast on
February 18, President Thieu appealed for continued U. S. support and
said his first concern was to find a political solution with the Viet Cong.
SECRET
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SECRET
Mining Countermeasures
(3)
-- During the February 19 meeting, the DRV renewed demands for
logistic support equipment, such as tractors and trucks, with which to
support inland waterways mine clearing. (The U. S. position remains
that this logistic support is within DRV capability. ) The DRV repre-
sentative implied that if these demands were not met, the next POW
release might not go so smoothly.
Laos
Lao Talks
-- On February 19, Pathet Lao leader Prince Souphanouvong sent
Prime Minister Souvanna Phouma a message (which we intercepted)
proposing:
An in-place cease-fire and bombing halt to begin on February 20.
. Within thirty days of a cease-fire date, a political accord is to be
signed which will also provide for the withdrawal of foreign forces.
-- In a February 19 press interview, Souvanna Phouma indicated
his unwillingness to accept such an intermediate phase and insisted on
a formal agreement providing for the withdrawal of all North Vietnamese
and other foreign troops.
-- Souvanna is no doubt reluctant to commit himself to a 30-day
period for reaching a political settlement until agreement can be reached
on basic political questions still at issue.
Military
In the central panhandle a stand-off has developed at Muong Phalane.
-- Friendly irregulars on the central Bolovens Plateau are still in
firm control of Paksong despite increased enemy shelling.
Cambodia
-- Military activity remained concentrated in the Mekong River corridor
southeast of Phnom Penh with only minor engagements in the rest of the
country. #
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2012/04/03: LOC-HAK-31-1-12-2