RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE POW ARENA

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 05014071
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: March 9, 2023
• Document Release Date: January 23, 2020
• Case Number: F-2018-01896
• Publication Date: March 12, 1973

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12 March 1973
'MEMORANDUM FOR THE DIRECTOR
SUBJECT: Recent Developments in the POW Arena
1. Within the past several days, there has been a development
with respect to U.S. prisoners in North Vietnam of which you should
be aware so you do not get caught off base.
2. Although our current information is very sketchy (and the
matter is, obviously, under intensive investigation), we gather
from our Defense Department contacts that there are allegations (from
recently returned U.S. prisoners) that at least two persons said to
be "Cubans" were active from July 1967 to July 1968 in North Vietnam's
POW detention facility at Cu Loc (on the outskirts of Hanoi) giving
special interrogation assistance to the North Vietnamese in trying
to break a group of about eighteen American POWs. The initial
indications (from returned prisoners) are that extreme brutality
was employed, allegedly resulting in the insanity and death of at
least one American prisoner. There is (understandably) considerable
resentment among the returned POWs over this issue .I
3. DIA and the Air Force are giving priority attention to
collection of further information on this situation. The Agency is
extending all possible support to assist in their investigation,
including the provision of photos of known Cuban intelligence
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officers whom we believe have travelled to North Vietnam and lists
of Cuban travellers to North Vietnam. We will receive all reports
as the investigation develops and will keep you apprised of any
further information as it becomes available.
Geo ge A. Carver, Jr.
Assistant for Vietnamese Affairs
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